The temptation in the Garden

It is interesting to paint the story of the temptation in the Garden. The Bible distinctly teaches us that our first parents were tempted to sin by disobeying God’s prohibition or command. Genesis chapter 3 gives us the full story of that which became the saddest tragedy in the experience of the human race. That was the beginning of our suffering and still waiting for full restoration.

Consider these steps taken leading to man’s downfall:

* The first step was taken by the woman. She was alone and listening, and very close to the forbidden fruit. You see, how cunning the devil was-she was ‘alone.’ Being ‘alone’ she did not have the strength to resist temptation. To have good Christian friends is essential for our protection. Temptations are everywhere, be careful.

* The second step was taken by the serpent. The serpent was cunning and injected a benefit of a doubt about what God had said: “Did God really say?” Although indirectly suggested by Satan through a serpent, he wanted Eve to doubt the love and justice of God. Always consult the word of God in times of doubts and temptation. Trust His promises.

* The third step taken by the woman. She seemed to have confidence in negotiating with the tempter. She also indicated that she understood the words of Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Compare the above verses with what Eve said in Genesis 3: 2-3. ‘And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

* The fourth step taken by the woman. Notice the four verses in the third step. She did not exactly quote the word of God. The words “every” and “freely” were left out and added, “nor shall you touch it.” And also tampered the words, “you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” to “lest you die.” Misquoting God’s words can change one’s relationship with God.

Many religions or religious groups just misquote or take the Word of God (verses) out of context. This is the beginning of deception. Many are being deceived. It is the Devil’s strategy since the dawn of history. We need to be careful. Always consider the context of any part of the Scriptures to get a proper perspective. You need God’s grace and wisdom to see what is right and wrong. God’s blessings.