Genesis 3:1-19
Eve's (and Adam's) actions show us much here in Genesis 3:1-19. They give us good insight about some of the processes we go through when we face temptation. As I read, I jotted down a number of things I noticed about how Eve responded to the temptation Satan put before her. One of the first things I noted was how she immediately rationalized that it was ok to do what God had explicitly forbidden. Have you ever done that? Cause I sure have and I can tell you first hand it's not too hard to go there. :(
So what did you notice about the ways Eve (and Adam) responded? How can we draw on their example to help us do a better job dealing with temptation? Tami W.
Going back a day (I'm a day behind in my reading); I find myself in the throws of temptation daily. And in my WORST moments; I felt impermeable. I really felt that I COULDN'T be tempted - and that's when the fall begins. Recognizing that we can't possibly do this alone, and looking to Christ for strength, is the ONLY way to get through our/my temptation(s).
From the reading we see that Eve and Adam responded saying and showing they were deceived by the tempter. This goes to show that often times as children of God, He is always with us and the tempter knows that the only way to get us is to deceive us. We therefore should know then that it is only when we fix our eyes on Him that we can resist temptation when it comes. They were surprised themselves that they actually fell to the temptation after being instructed by God to avoid eating from the tree; this is how it usually happens with us too hence we need to be careful and keep our eyes on Jesus. We drift away from Him and to whatever calls us when our thoughts cut off Him.
Hi Tami, I noticed that Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed Eve. Both did not feel that the actions they took were their own fault but someone else's. This still happens today. But when we do some thing that we should not, we must accept our guilt and seek forgiveness. The serpent did not pick the fruit and forced it down Eve's throat, so the wise thing to do is fess up. Sometimes at work we might have done something wrong either because we were not paying attention or for some other reason. The correct thing is to accept the responsibility. I find people show respect for such persons who own up and are sorry.
We are not perfect so if we do something wrong ask for pardon not just to the person who it affected but also of God. We say this a lot of times, if we keep in God's Word daily it is not as easy to fall down. Because we fear and love God, we will not want to hurt Him so the best thing to do is keep in His Word and keep away from evil or anything that is ungodly. God will strengthen us and protect us. Always remember that God's eyes are on us so let "His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path" and strength to our life. May He bless us all.
The old hymn says, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way." Man has always tried to rationalize and to justify his sin. The first thing Adam said, was "the woman" (blaming the woman), "You gave me" (blaming God for giving her to him). Wow!
Man must simply trust that whatever the Word of God says is how he is to live; that is the way that is right. Jesus is not simply a "means to the way", or, a "means to the truth", or, a "means to the life;" HE IS THE TRUTH, THE LIFE AND THE WAY! We MUST come to the place of receiving grace for each day,trusting that whatever the Word says, whatever is HIS will, we must simply obey....do not question, just do it....because He knows what is best for us. God has our best interests at heart. He wants us to be victorious just as Jesus was and IS victorious! Praise His name forever!
"Trust and obey, for there's no other way!"
I noticed that there three elements to Eve's temptation: the tree was good for food (temptation through the stomach), it was a delight to the eyes (temptation through sight), and the tree was to be desired to make one wise (temptation appealing to one's pride). I suppose one lesson from this is that Satan is not limited in what ways he can tempt us; we can be attacked in a multitude of ways as Eve was, so we must always we wary that we are vulnerable in many ways simultaneously!
GRACE! GRACE! GOD"S GRACE! GRACE THAT WILL PARDON AND CLEANSE WITHIN. That's if when we succomb to temptation. But to avoid temptation, RUN! Like Joseph. But get on our knees either way.
God's Will be done.