Published 10/3/19
Read
"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths." Genesis 3:6-7
Reflect
Why do you suppose sin often looks so attractive to us? What can we do to resist temptation?
When Eve ate the forbidden fruit, she was immediately exposed to sin. When she shared the fruit with Adam, he, too, suddenly knew sin. With sin in their lives, they quickly transitioned from an innocent, naive couple to disobedient people who now saw things as Satan sees them. They realized they were naked. They now knew what fear was and ran from God. Don't you want to push the PAUSE button and jump inside the story and plead with Eve?
"You have a perfect life, Eve! Don't mess it up by disobeying God. You don't know pain, sickness, confusion, or rejection. These negatives will become part of your life if you disobey."
Can you imagine living in a perfect world such as Eden? The rosebushes had no thorns. The ground didn't have to be tilled. There was no such thing as jealousy, revenge, or anger. Life was composed of peace, laughter, harmony, and contentment.
Their lives had started perfectly. Adam and Eve were filled with God confidence. What happened? They let down their guard. They took their eyes off of God. They listened to the wrong voice. Disobedience always costs! They were cast out of the perfect garden, and the entire world changed with sin.
The animals became wild, the earth experienced storms, the ground became entangled with thorns, Adam and Eve experienced pain--all of creation was affected and groaned. And the deed to planet Earth was now in Satan's hands. Hope was not lost, though!
God restored Adam and Eve's faith, but their disobedience affected everyone and everything. Their son Cain killed his brother Abel. Jealousy, anger, and evil exploded into wars, epidemics, and rape.
But someday the deed to planet Earth will be back in the right hands. From this very first book of the Bible (Genesis), we see the deed transferred from God to Adam to Satan. In the very last book of the Bible (Revelation), we see it transferred from Satan to God to Jesus Christ.
Pray
Lord, I have so much to be thankful for--Your love, Your patience, Your forgiveness. Help me to keep my heart tuned in to You and my eyes fixed on Your will. Amen.