The Temptation of ‘Must Not’

Scripture: Genesis 3: 1-4

The Fall

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Scripture Commentary:

This is the first recorded lie: Satan tempting Eve by pointing her to the one thing that she must not do. God gave Adam and Eve luscious, desirable fruits but we, like Eve, focus on the fruits of the flesh. This negativeness darkens our heart, mind and soul so that we succumb to Satan’s temptation.

When we focus on what we don’t have or on situations that displease us, our minds become darkened. We take for granted salvation and the countless gifts God has provided. We look for what we think is right.

1 John 2: 15 says “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them.

And 1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 3

1 John 2

1 John 4

Read Other Commentary from Genesis:

Don’t Be Ruled By Your Lusts

The Consequence of Knowing Good and Evil

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