If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
In the lush Garden of Eden, everything was perfect. Adam and Eve saw nothing but the Glory of God—unspoiled. They walked intimately with Him every day. God said they could eat of any tree in the garden, but instructed that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was off limits.
Today we are going to pick back up on the story of our friend Eve and the mess in the garden. In Genesis 3, we read how Satan slithered into the Garden and caused Eve to doubt all she had known. Eve had it made in the Garden and yet she was lured away by the enemy’s lie making her believe that there was something more, something better in store for her. Through the lies, the enemy put the thought in her head that God was holding out on them.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6)
Eve believed the fruit as a way of meeting numerous needs. It was “good for food” to meet a physical need, “pleasing to the eye” to meet an emotional need, and “desirable for gaining wisdom” to meet a spiritual need.
Our eyes have an amazing ability to stimulate the desire for sin. Temptation starts by simply seeing something desirable. The desire for food was a part of what drew Eve into sin. The forbidden
fruit was “pleasing to the eye” as it hung on the tree and shimmered in the sunlight—sort of like dessert on a buffet table.
Eve did not run from the serpent nor did she discuss what to do with Adam—she just ate the fruit. So, the enemy’s plan worked. Eve may have thought she could get away with one little bite, one piece. It’s a temptation we understand all too well.
The enemy initiated the temptation by putting thoughts in Eve’s mind as he let her natural desires carry her into his trap. When temptation comes, we all need to “pause” and think before we take and eat.
Have you ever considered what might have stirred Eve’s desire for more, leaving her so vulnerable? Think about it. Eve had every tree in the garden at her disposal except for one. But rather than being thankful for what she had, she believed the lie that the one thing she couldn’t have would give her so much more.
She heard it. Something that sounds so familiar to all of us. “I would be happy if…” or “My life would be improved if…” Satan uses the same tactics with us today that he used with Eve so many years ago. We can’t judge or blame Eve—we’ve all been deceived by a slithering serpent.
Eve was being deceived and in that instant she forgot about the truth and listened to the lies. Her eyes were fixed on herself and her earthly pleasures instead of on God. The lies were so deceiving and the forbidden food so enticing that she blatantly disobeyed God’s command.
When was the last time your food choice mirrored Eve’s?
We often find ourselves in the middle of the garden where sweet nothings are whispered into our ears. We see the forbidden food looking deliciously tempting, right before our very eyes. And then, if we are honest, our choices often are the same as our girl in the Garden.
Not only did Eve make a devastating decision when she chose to listen to the serpent, but she also gave the fruit to her husband. So much for her being his “helpmate” (Genesis. 2:18) Instead of supporting him, she contributes to his downfall.
Eve followed the serpent, Adam followed Eve, and no one followed God. But let’s remember that scripture doesn’t say it’s all Eve’s fault. (Whew!) Adam had watched Eve take the fruit and saw that nothing immediately happened to her. Adam also rejected his relationship with God as he embraced Eve’s choices.
The problem with sin is that it doesn’t stop with one little choice. Disobedience to God’s Word almost always affects others around us. Eve’s sin was one little choice that forever changed the world.
The moment Adam and Eve sinned, they indeed received the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, they “knew that they were naked” and they were ashamed. Before the fall, their nakedness was beautiful—but now they were covering up with leaves from a fig tree. Choosing to sin has its consequences. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, paradise was lost. In the end, the fruit that they desired provided none of what they had hoped. On the contrary, it brought about everything they were hoping to avoid.
In closing today, note this wonderful truth: Satan did not win the battle in the Garden. Jesus did over 2,000 years ago when He said, “It is finished,” and then breathed his last. He made a way for all us Eves to regain all that was lost in the Garden. While the choices of Adam and Eve affected the entire human race, Jesus’ actions affect all who believe in Him. He died to give each of us the chance to take back our identity.
Prayer Starter: Lord, We thank you for wisdom. Your Word says that You freely give wisdom to those who ask it of you. Give us wisdom to see Your truth versus what the world is telling us is true. We trust only. Amen
BIG IDEA: When temptation comes, there is always a choice—Choose Wisely
Discussion:
Describe a time where you felt that God was holding out on you?
What things attract you to food? Discuss some things that draw you to food besides being hungry. For example triggers from a bad day….
Does the smell of food bring out emotions or memories? Good ones or bad? Food has a powerful hold over us and realizing some of these triggers and temptations can help us overcome and achieve balance.
How often do you look at (forbidden) food and think it will meet an array of needs? What kind of needs are you trying to fulfill?
