“Temptation”

 

     We all know the story of Adam and Eve.  We typically identify this story with the first sin and the "fall" of mankind.  While this is true, there are so many lessons we can learn from this story. This week, we will discuss this story and how we can use their mistakes to make us stronger today.  The topics we will discuss are temptation, contentment, blame, jealousy, the attraction of sin, and hiding from God.

 

   It isn't surprising how the Serpent tempted Eve. He simply made her question the commands of God.  He made Eve question whether or not God really said what he did.  "Did God really say "don't eat of this specific tree"? After she said that He said she would die, the serpent said "You will not surely die".  This is all that Eve needed to eat the beautiful fruit. Sure, it looked appealing and desirable, but she had so many other options.  Isn't this just like us?  We have so many good things, but we want what someone else has.  We justify and convince ourselves that "I am entitled to it" and the "consequences won’t be that bad".  Then, we give in, and want someone else to be guilty with us.  What would have been the result if Eve had just run away from the serpent? Sure he would have hit her up again, but she would have gained strength from the first event. The next time would possibly have been a little easier.  Eventually, after many times of declining Satan's temptation, perhaps he would have left her alone.  James says in Chapter 4, verse 7, if we resist the Devil, he will flee from us.  Many of us have an escape plan for bad weather, or a fire.  We need to make a plan to avoid or escape whatever tempts us.

Action Item:  If you have been struggling with a Sin, write down when you are tempted, what situation creates that temptation, then devise a plan to avoid or escape when it appears?