When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6 NIV)
This story of the fall is the story of each of us. A story that plays out over and over in my life. Will I obey God? Or will I do what appeals to me, even if it is at odds with what God has told me to do?
God put Adam and Eve into the Garden of God as caretakers. And they were free to eat anything that grew there. Except for the fruit of a single tree. Eating that fruit would kill them.
But the tempter came, bringing doubts about God’s motives in restricting access to that tree. God was holding out on them, denying them something that would improve their lives.
The woman considered what the Serpent had said. She decided that there was merit in questioning God’s motive. And she took some fruit from the tree, ate it, and gave some to her husband, who also ate. Then their eyes were opened, and they hid from each other and God.
Dealing with Temptation
My temptation to disobey God comes, not from a Serpent in the garden, but from my own desires (Jam. 1:14). The temptation may be to gratify physical desires – suitable for food. It may be to satisfy emotional desires – pleasing to the eye. Or it may be the mental desire to experience and learn new things – to gain wisdom. But they are not really any different from what Eve experienced.
Temptation is unavoidable in our lives. But what we do with temptation is within our control. I can follow Eve’s example and consider whether God’s will really is for my best. An internal debate that all too often results in disobedience and loss. Or I can reject it as Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11), remain faithful to God, and experience his presence in my life.
