For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Bob Schenck
what a wonderful and well-explained answer to this difficult but thought provoking question. We must remember, God says that His plans are for our good. We'll never know what He would do but we CAN KNOW IF WE BELIEVE GOD, THAT HE HAD A PLAN FOR THAT.Thank you for your excellent response to this question
Steve Nearman
Questions like this are fruitless. They serve no real purpose. What if Christ came down from the cross? Matt. 27:40-42 Did Adam & Eve have belly buttons? There would be no end to the speculation. The reality is it never happened, so is it a wise use of a believer’s time? I think not.
1Tim. 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
2Tim. 2:16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
Prov. 15:2, Prov. 17:20
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
2Tim. 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Tim. 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier..
Eccl. 10:12-14 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
Should we not rather spend our time encouraging each other in the good fight of faith?
2Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Prov. 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
Psa. 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psa. 119:171 My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
Psa. 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Prov. 8:6-7 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Prov. 14:3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Titus 2:6-8 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
1Tim. 5:25-6:5 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden… If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
Heb. 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Prov. 4:4-8 He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
Psa. 119:172
Prov. 20:15
Prov. 23:16
Psa. 35:28
Psa. 71:24
Prov. 10:20
Melissa Giles
I agree to what your saying in almost every way Steve. Yes we are not to read nor turn away from our God and or Jesus christ. We are not supposed to act like fools of this world, and give into sin. What I can say is this. God made a plan for all of us. He's words is like a waterfall very sweet to the ears and very overflowing. He also made people to have addictions and or sin in their life to prove some of the wisest they are not so wise. It is amazing what gods power can do. He made each and everyone of us a certain reason. All we can really do is thank him for everything. Even if it is answering a question like this. Can you imagine how many people maybe reading this. Maybe they don't believe, or has mixed feelings about him. Just think what this one question and or answers can do for someone else. We will never know. I am sure God used that person to post on here that question, for someone else that the lord has in mind to read. That's my thought about all this. When I keep it short and sweet, then I don't have to question God anymore about Adam and eve or about anything. I trust my God to the fullest and have everlasting love for him his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Steve Nearman
Yes, God even uses the wicked to praise Him.
However, it is truth that makes the difference not speculation, assumption or what I think should be or is.
John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2Cor. 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Is. 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
David Huffman
The question posed shows a common tendency toward misinterpretation of the meaning of scripture. What you and I think versus what it is telling us may often be in a state of disarray. Is it really asking about the world running out of room? Or is it designed to cause us to look into the scriptural account to ascertain the facts (truth) about God, His Creation, His purpose, etc.
I was asked as a new Christian, "What was God's original intent for the mosquito", prior to sin? I thought about an answer for 9 months, before deciding I could not know conclusively. But I gained a love for the book of Genesis and for God's attributes and for His word. The goal of the question is not inane when it produces results that align with the Word of God.
Nicodemus did not understand how he was to be born again. So he asked the obvious, perhaps silly question, "Am I to return to my mother's womb"? (My translation). It may have seemed silly, but he got the answer to his probative question.
The earth too full question probes the accuracy of what you believe about the effect of sin on the creation. It may help us to break out of the box of our folk theology and pursue a deeper, richer understanding of the truth.
It is a teaching technique, not a deception.