So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. —
Genesis 3:6
God had clearly instructed man in Genesis 2:17 not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He warned that if they ate of it, they would surely die. So what attracted Adam and Eve to disobey him with such dire consequences? Our verse shows three entry points of temptation or deception – consumption, visual attraction and self-exultation.Genesis 3:6
The first set of things that take us outside God’s will are the things we consume. Eve saw the tree as good for food. When we succumb to the dictates of our flesh, the food, sex, alcohol, drugs and other things we consume become major doorways to temptation and sin.
The second doorway to destruction is the things we see. Eve saw the tree as pleasing to the eye. Visual indulgence can be very powerful because it often attracts subtly but grows to become highly addictive. There are films, television programmes and online clips that may look funny and attract our curiosity but they ultimately lure us into destruction.
The third attraction is self-exultation or pride. Eve saw the tree as a doorway to personal wisdom. We are often so fixated with an inordinate desire to be seen as famous, wise, rich or great that we ignore God’s express instructions and ultimately destroy ourselves in the process. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me to secure the various doorways to my heart. Deliver me from temptation by the power of your Holy Spirit.Scripture Reading:
Genesis 3:1-24
YearOfExcellence
