Day 23: Genesis 3:6
Devotional
READ GENESIS 3:6
In Genesis 3:6, we read the account of original sin and the fall of mankind. Eve was tempted by the crafty serpent in the Garden of Eden, and she disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam quickly followed suit, and as a result of their sin, death entered the world. There’s a lot we can learn from this story, but I’d like to home in on two things.
First, we see three avenues of fleshly temptation in Eve: she saw that the tree was good for food, it was a delight to the eyes, and it was desirable to make one wise. 1 John 2:16 refers to these as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. John says that these are not from the Father, but from the world.
This is our universal struggle—we see, we covet, and we take. Satan uses the things of this world to cater to our fleshly desires, and He entices us with sin (James 1:14-15). Sin is deadly, and we know that we have an enemy whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. So what do we do when we’re struggling with sin that looks so good, but will only bring chaos and destruction to our lives?
1 John 2:2 reminds us that we have a Savior who satisfied God’s wrath toward our sin with His sacrifice on the cross, and He intercedes before the Father on our behalf. If you find yourself struggling, know that you are forgiven and loved. Don’t run away and hide in guilt and shame. Instead, run to the Father who lavishes His mercy and grace on you. He knows your struggles and your pain, yet He loves you still. And He invites you to experience freedom in His light.
In Genesis 3:6, we read the account of original sin and the fall of mankind. Eve was tempted by the crafty serpent in the Garden of Eden, and she disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam quickly followed suit, and as a result of their sin, death entered the world. There’s a lot we can learn from this story, but I’d like to home in on two things.
First, we see three avenues of fleshly temptation in Eve: she saw that the tree was good for food, it was a delight to the eyes, and it was desirable to make one wise. 1 John 2:16 refers to these as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. John says that these are not from the Father, but from the world.
This is our universal struggle—we see, we covet, and we take. Satan uses the things of this world to cater to our fleshly desires, and He entices us with sin (James 1:14-15). Sin is deadly, and we know that we have an enemy whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. So what do we do when we’re struggling with sin that looks so good, but will only bring chaos and destruction to our lives?
1 John 2:2 reminds us that we have a Savior who satisfied God’s wrath toward our sin with His sacrifice on the cross, and He intercedes before the Father on our behalf. If you find yourself struggling, know that you are forgiven and loved. Don’t run away and hide in guilt and shame. Instead, run to the Father who lavishes His mercy and grace on you. He knows your struggles and your pain, yet He loves you still. And He invites you to experience freedom in His light.
Personal Reflection
- What are areas of your life where you’ve followed your fleshly desires instead of obeying God’s word?
- What is your next step? How will you run to your heavenly Father today?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
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