Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” Genesis 3:1 NIV
A myth is a belief, story, or narrative that has become widely accepted as truth despite lacking factual evidence and reliable basis. Myths can adapt over time to the cultural setting, and in our current world, they may take the shape of urban legends (like the phantom hitchhiker), fictional narratives that shape understanding (Marvel Universe/Star Wars/Harry Potter), political conspiracy theories (QAnon), scientific and technological misconceptions (“we only use 10% of our brains”), and cultural/group stereotyping (red heads always are hot-tempered).
Why do we seem to easily gravitate toward myths and accept them without reliable evidence?
There are a variety of reasons pointed out by psychologists and sociologists. We can find community with people who share those beliefs, sometimes they serve as escapism from actually dealing with life, or they can give people a handle for feeling like they have an understanding or answer for something they don’t understand. Most significantly, believing something is true despite lack of evidence can offer a sense of certainty and comfort of “being in the know” in a world that is often confusing and chaotic. Chris Colbert has extensively studied the phenomenon of myths and says, “They make us feel better simply because we can use myths to park all our anxiety, all our worry in a lovely little box.”
The phrase "Did God really say ...?" appears in Genesis 3:7 and marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as it records the beginning of temptation and doubt in humanity's relationship with God. It is the moment when humanity first decided to believe the myth that they could handle things better than God. The phrase "Did God really say?" has resonated throughout history, often used to challenge God's authority and truth and to question His love and goodwill for us. It is a question that continues to be relevant in our walks of faith. We question that our deepest needs such as the desire for security, significance, and acceptance will be met by God in ways that will truly satisfy us, and so without any credible evidence we move to handle those needs ourselves. For a while we feel like our anxiety is at rest because we will handle it. Instead of reflecting God and his wisdom, as we were created to do, we have replaced Him with our own solutions. They fail us and we wonder why.
- God, You are my Creator and Source. Any time I move away from Your wisdom, I am believing a false myth that will destroy me, my relationships, and especially my relationship with You. Help me to trust You and rely on Your truth.