Their Temptation and Ours
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 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.” Genesis 3:5,6 ESV
Temptation. It confronted Adam and Eve, it confronted Christ, it confronts those of all times. What is interesting is that while the specifics may vary the general focus is the same. John wrote, “For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16 NIV) Paul said, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind….” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)
How do we see these play out in the record of the “fall”? The first thing the serpent does in “setting up” Eve is to ask, “Has God really said?” Doubting God’s Word is the hammer blow against the foundation that allows us to stand strong and to be stable. That is why we see in scripture the admonition to, “stand strong in the faith…” (1 Corinthians 16:16) When we add to, dilute or doubt God’s Word we quickly drift into vulnerability.
Next we see the serpent telling Eve (with Adam within ear shot), “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The tactic moves from a seed of doubt to an outright accusation that God is not telling the truth. God can’t be trusted, because He is keeping something from you. Something that is good and desirable. This powerful statement of accusation against God, also carries with it that idea, that “you can not only have something you don’t, but it will make you better than you are.” You can be “like God….” Ever since the garden people have sought to be “like God.” We see it in the Tower of Babel. We see in modern humanism.
What is of interest, is that in the gospel, we see God “not holding back” and promising His very Spirit to be in those who place their faith in Him. Jesus told His disciples, “greater works will you do than I have done.” We see the promise of scripture, “….The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:11 NLT) Peter wrote, “…he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4 NLT)
Finally, we see the appeal to the senses, “…the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes….” The ability to see and behold beauty in all of its forms is a gift from God. But it can also be the greatest form of temptation. Satan showed Jesus, all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. John warned about the “lust of the eyes.”
When we reflect on all of this we can related to the apostle Paul when he was writing about the war in his flesh. He said, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:24,25 NLT)
John wrote, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17 NIV) Paul said, “…But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) John also wrote, “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1 NIV)
The good news is that Jesus Christ through the cross “has us covered!” The resources and the rescue plan to keep us from condemnation and to live a victorious life.
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You that our focus does not need to be on sin and temptation. We can hold on to and rest in Your gracious provision. Help us to be mindful of the tactics of the enemy of our soul. Help us to stand firm in the faith and to hold to Your Word, with complete trust and confidence in the life You give.