2 December

Perfection Was Short-lived

Bible Reading

Genesis 3:1-7

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Comments

Adam and Eve, the first people God created, had everything they could possibly want. God had given them a perfect world to enjoy and they had a wonderful relationship with Him.

But they were persuaded they wanted even more. The snake represents Satan. Satan hates God and hates people enjoying God's blessings. He tempted Eve with lies and wrong desires. God had not said that Adam and Eve could not eat fruit from the trees of the garden. The opposite was true. He had clearly told them the fruits were theirs to eat (Genesis 1:29). Eve knew that and correctly said that there was only one tree from which they were not to eat. But notice how she twisted it to make God's one rule seem harsh. She said they were not to even touch it. God hadn't said that.

Satan could see that she was wavering. He came back with a lie. God had said that if they broke that one rule, they would die (Genesis 2:17). Satan said they would not die. And he appealed to Eve's desire for more than God had allowed. She had experienced God's goodness. She should try evil, Satan suggested. It would be a whole new experience. Her eyes would be opened. God knew about both good and evil. Why shouldn't she?

Eve liked that idea and she did what God had said not to. Adam was with her and also ate the forbidden fruit.

Suddenly everything changed. Their perfect world now included evil. God had tried to protect them from it but they had opened the door and let evil in. For the first time, they experienced shame.

It is only Day 2 of our journey but already Satan has won! Evil is a major part of our existence. But there is lots more of the journey to go. God will not give up. That is what Christmas is about.

For Reflection

If you had been Adam or Eve, would you have eaten the forbidden fruit too? Why or why not?
Have you also experienced temptation because something God has forbidden has looked very attractive?
If we disobey God, what is the result?

A Carol

A Christmas Tradition

Shopping

One of the most obvious Christmas traditions these days is shopping. There is a huge amount of advertising and people feel obligated to spend lots of money. Gift-giving is a part of Christmas but maybe it has gone too far with people being expected to give more gift, and more expensive gifts, than they can really afford.

The emphasis on buying and selling is one of the negative aspects of Christmas. Giving gifts is a lovely act of love but commercial interests are simply taking advantage of it to make money for themselves. Individuals and families are put under pressure and often spend more than they can afford, resulting in ongoing hardship and strained relationships.

Just as God's perfect world was disrupted by sin, so the good news of Christmas has been distorted by sin.

Is there anything you can do to stand against this culture, without just being miserly?

A Family Activity

Watch, listen to, or read the news and make a list of examples of people doing what God has said not to. What are the results?

A Prayer

Dear Father, I am very familiar with temptation. I know what it is like to want things that You have said are wrong and I know what it is to give into those temptations. I am sorry. Disobeying You never turns out to be good. I am sorry that I also bring evil into the world You designed to be perfect.

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