Scripture:
“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.”
(Genesis 3:6)
Devotion:
The focus is usually on Eve, and how she was tempted and deceived by the Serpent and ate of the forbidden fruit. But it is important to carefully note that as all that was happening, Adam was right there with her, beside her. He witnessed the subtle temptation of the Serpent and saw how Eve was seduced into doing something she was clearly told by the Lord God not to.
Question is, why was he so passive? Why did he not stop her? Why did he not caution her to not give in to the wiles of the Serpent?
Both he and Eve were told specifically what was allowed and what was forbidden. The instructions and commands were straightforward and crystal clear to both of them. After Eve ate of some of the fruit (note that it was not only after ONE bite) she gave SOME to her husband, and he also partook of some. They were partners in the sin and fell together.
And when they were confronted by the Lord God about their sin, instead of owning up and repenting, they started BLAMING each other. (Genesis 3:12-13)
The painful and tragic lesson here is that although they were together, they were not a help to each other. Adam, especially, did not play his part in sizing up the situation and taking charge to resist the temptation that Eve was subject to. Instead he simply “listened to Eve.” (v.17)
Christian families need to be united together to stand against all the wiles of the Devil, especially in the Last Days. The more couples and families pray together and spend time in the Word together, the better and stronger they will become. Satan has not stopped attacking the family and marriages, casting doubt in the minds of his precious children regarding the expressed commandments of the Lord.
We are much more vulnerable alone. But together we are better able to discern the lies and deception of Satan. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…..If either of them falls down, one can help the other…”.
Reflection:
(1) How “together” are you as a couple and as a Christian family?
(2) If you are a single in the church family, do you have a network, other brothers and sisters that are your spiritual friends that journey together with you? Or are you a “solo” Christian? Do you have a someone who speaks into your life and encourages you to stay faithful and true to God’s ways?
Prayer:
Lord God, I realize today how vulnerable I am when I try to resist the wiles of Satan alone. Help me to form spiritual friendships and a stronger bond with my family that together we can better discern and decide the Godly way. Thank You for my family, both biological as well as spiritual, who love You and are serving You together. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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