As I read Genesis 1-2, I can only imagine how incredible it would have been to see the perfected beauty of an unblemished earth which God created. God speaks and a new world forms, capable of supporting life.
Imagine, like Adam and Eve, being given authority in this utopia, serving as its chief caretakers. What more could you ask for?
Sadly, Satan appears an offers the same lie he still tells today: “It’s not enough.” Eve had more than she could ever imagine- a beautiful home, freedom, an unimaginably open relationship with God- and one conversation plants the seed of discontent. Suddenly nothing else will satisfy but THAT fruit.
How often does Satan trick us with the same lie? A closet full of clothes and not a thing to wear. A phone that works perfectly well, until the new iPhone/Galaxy/(insert fancy phone here) comes out. I’m going to make healthy food choices today until someone brings by a box of donuts, followed by a soda, and then a chocolate bar. Any of these sound familiar?
So, what do we do? We say, “Just this one other thing and then I’ll be happy.” But there’s always one more thing.
I hear this story of Eve and I just want to say, “What were you thinking?! You screwed everything up!” Then I’m reminded of Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Ouch!
I’m no better than Eve. Like her, I make the same choice. I think I know what’s better for me than God does, and in that moment, I’m right back in Eden, listening to and believing a serpent, a created thing and not the Creator.
Just when Eve is at her lowest, discovered by God, her sin made known, God gives a promise. To the serpent, he says,
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Gen 3:15)The Protoevangelium – the first announcement of the Gospel. Satan may nip at our heels, ever-annoying, but there is coming a day when the offspring of that woman will deal the crushing, fatal blow, lies revealed, death defeated.
This is the opening of the Word of God. The Creator of the world says it isn’t over. He promises the only one who can say, “It is finished!”
That offspring did come, just as God promised. Jesus paid the price so that we don’t have to be bound to the lies. Don’t let Satan deceive you. Don’t let discontent steal your joy. God is enough!
Leave a Reply