1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. (NLT)
The life of Adam and Eve is a critical opportunity for self-examination and caution.
God had spoken to them in Genesis 2:16-17: And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” (NIV)
God gave them the freedom to eat of any tree of the garden except one. They were given the opportunity to experience abundant life and stay away from death by not eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Contrary to what God said, Satan brought a suggestion: Genesis 3 vs 4-5“You will not surely die,” the serpent told her. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. (NIV)
At that point Eve had a choice, to hold on to God’s truth or to give in to the devil. Unfortunately, she obeyed the devil: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (KJV)
Listening to the devil brought about some desires in her:
- She saw that the tree was good for food: Lust of the flesh
- She saw that it was pleasant to the eyes: Lust of the eyes
- She saw that it was a tree to be desired to make her wise: Pride of life
The results of her action?: nakedness, shame, fear, loss of authority, spiritual and physical death.
The same way, as believers in Christ Jesus, we have been called into abundant life and the devil has come to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Unfortunately, many times we have listened to him.
Examine your heart and life, look back on your life’s choices. Are you being guided by God’s eternal word and principles or by the customs and traditions of this world?
Think about your choice of music, the entertainment you consume, the friends you keep, your life’s goals? Are they a fruit of you listening to God or entertaining the lie of the devil?
Run your life through this test; examine yourself, test yourself and make amends as necessary.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for every way, I have disobeyed you and followed the world. I present myself to you Lord as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, I will no longer conform to this world but will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. This way, I will know your good, acceptable and perfect will for me in Jesus name. Amen.