Have you ever had an event, a sin you committed, that changed the whole trajectory of your life? If you’re wise, you share what you’ve learned with your children, so they won’t make the same mistakes. In our Scripture today we read of the sin that Adam and Eve committed, and how the results changed the trajectory of not only their lives, but that of everyone who ever lives. As we study this, let’s look for lessons we can learn, to keep us from falling for the same traps Satan sets for us.
As we begin our passage Satan comes to Eve in the guise of a serpent. His first plan of attack to get her to sin is to get her to question God’s Word (vs 1). Not only did he want Eve to question God, Satan wanted her to question His goodness, as he implied God wouldn’t let them eat from any of the trees. He implied God is stingy and selfish, not wanting to share the knowledge of good and evil with us. These are the same tactics he uses on us today. How many times do we hear that God’s Word, the Bible, is not true? He loves it when he succeeds in making us think God’s Word is untrustworthy. Satan continues to try to make us think God isn’t a good God. Every time something happens in the world or our own life, we hear people question what kind of God would do or allow that to happen.
In verses 2 and 3 we read of Eve making a mistake that some people do today, and that is misquoting what God said. God had not said that they couldn’t touch the fruit, only that they were not to eat it (Genesis 2:17). Not accurately knowing God’s Word leaves us open to more of the devil’s attacks. He gave a full frontal attack to Eve by directly contradicting God’s Word, and then making sin look desirable (vs 4-5). God had said that Adam and Eve would die when they ate of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan said that was a lie. They didn’t physically die immediately (though that did come). However the connection they had with God did immediately die. Their trust and faith in Him failed. Satan says obedience isn’t necessary, but it is necessary, and brings blessings. The devil wants us to give up on God and His plan, and follow his way.
Satan specializes in half-truths - just enough truth about God to appear Biblical, but denying all truth of the Gospel of salvation (vs 4-5). Eve then looked, took, ate, and gave (vs. 6). Sin often spreads. We try to relieve our guilt by involving others. God warns us to run from those things that produce evil, which usually starts by looking (II Timothy 2:22). Just like many animals and birds are vigilant and watchful for danger, so too do we need to be watchful of attacks from the enemy (I Peter 5:8; I Corinthians 16:13).
God and man had always been in the habit of meeting together later in the day. That day, as usual, God called out to them. Where were they? What were they doing? Sin caused them to hide from God, as it does to us, as well (vs 8-10). Instead of rejoicing when they heard God’s voice, they hid. They had panic, not peace. The intimacy they had with God died and separation began. No one can hide from God (Hebrews 4:13).
When God called Adam and Eve to account for their sin, they each sought to blame someone else (vs 12-13). We may blame others, but ultimately we are personally accountable for what we do, and God will hold us as such. God could not allow sin to go unchecked. He had to punish it (vs 14-19).
The story does not end here. In the midst of tragic sin and its consequences, God gave the first promise of a Redeemer (vs 15). Satan repeatedly attempted to defeat Jesus during His lifetime. Instead, Satan was defeated when Jesus rose from the dead. A strike on the heel is not deadly, but a crushing blow to the head is. Sin has brought us thorns (vs 18). Jesus took those thorns and wore them on His head, defeating and setting us free from sin and death (Matthew 27:29).
God continues to call out to all of us, “Where are you?” Do you hear Him? How will you respond? Don’t run and hide like Adam did. Instead come to His loving and waiting arms. Accept His forgiveness and salvation today!
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