The Voice of the Serpent

Scripture – Genesis 3:6-8: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Wow! There is far too much here to cover in this limited space. I guess the heart of this passage is that the man and woman did what God told them not to do. He had issued a simple command – as clear as could be. Everything else in the garden was at their disposal. And they chose the one thing they were told not to do. The result was they hid from God.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) It doesn’t take great interpretive skill to see the parallel with life today. The Lord has provided so much in my life. I have far more than I need. Yet there’s still within that voice telling me I need more – I deserve more. The good news is, when I do give in to that voice – when I cross the line into sin – I don’t have to hide from God. First of all, I can’t. God knew exactly where the man and woman were and what they had done. No matter how embarrassed and ashamed I might be, I can always turn to Him. Because of the cross of Christ I have forgiveness. Because of Christ I have the promise of a new beginning whenever I need it. I will live in the light that good news.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness. Thank your for loving me in my sin. Thank you for the fresh start you always offer. Thank for being a God from whom I never have to hide.