Genesis 3:6: "Then the woman saw that the tree was good
for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable
for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate
it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and
he ate it."
The core issue in Genesis 3 is the same core issue at stake in any temptation. It's not sex, food, anger, or greed. It's trust.
When you go to the doctor, there is always a moment when you list your symptoms. They are carefully recorded, and when taken together, they lead to a diagnosis. Often the symptoms aren't really the problem but the surface-level manifestations of something deeper. That's why the solution to a runny nose isn't a Kleenex, it's an antibiotic. A good doctor doesn't settle with treating the symptoms. He looks deeper.
Such is the case with us. We must look deeper, past the surface-level temptations and into the area of trust. When we are tempted toward materialism, the real issue is whether we trust that God has and will provide enough. Are we content with what He provides? When tempted regarding sex, the real issue is whether we trust God when He gives us the prescribed means of sex in marriage. When tempted to overeat, the deeper issue is whether we trust God when He says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
And fighting these temptations? Well, that's an issue of trust too. Do we really trust that God will give us the grace to stand firm, or are we relying on our own strength? It all comes down to trust. So who are you trusting today? Take a look at your actions. They're the symptoms, and they will lead you to the truth.
Pause and Reflect
The core issue in Genesis 3 is the same core issue at stake in any temptation. It's not sex, food, anger, or greed. It's trust.
When you go to the doctor, there is always a moment when you list your symptoms. They are carefully recorded, and when taken together, they lead to a diagnosis. Often the symptoms aren't really the problem but the surface-level manifestations of something deeper. That's why the solution to a runny nose isn't a Kleenex, it's an antibiotic. A good doctor doesn't settle with treating the symptoms. He looks deeper.
Such is the case with us. We must look deeper, past the surface-level temptations and into the area of trust. When we are tempted toward materialism, the real issue is whether we trust that God has and will provide enough. Are we content with what He provides? When tempted regarding sex, the real issue is whether we trust God when He gives us the prescribed means of sex in marriage. When tempted to overeat, the deeper issue is whether we trust God when He says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
And fighting these temptations? Well, that's an issue of trust too. Do we really trust that God will give us the grace to stand firm, or are we relying on our own strength? It all comes down to trust. So who are you trusting today? Take a look at your actions. They're the symptoms, and they will lead you to the truth.
Pause and Reflect
- When it comes to resisting Sin, who are you trusting?
- Think about the nagging sin present in your life right now. What is the real issue behind that sin? What are you trading or looking for when you give in to that sin?
- How can Christ better satisfy that need?
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