Eve was Deceived

Devotional—The Struggle of Sanctification—Eve was Deceived

One of the most exciting aspects of the literary arts is the ability of a gifted writer to mesmerize the reader with their vision. For the work to be successful, it must be categorized into a genre with readers interested in the subject matter. The readers play an important role in the success or failure of a published work. Yes, the writer relies on the readers intrigued by the cover, title, and author, but the words that are masterfully used are responsible for captivating an audience.

Words are extremely powerful! When used by marketing and advertising experts, we are convinced that we must have the things that are presented. Our imagination leads to a compelling desire of the heart and we do whatever is necessary to obtain the things that promise to give us a higher quality of life. The problem is that someone else has planted a seed of dissatisfaction in your mind for your existing lifestyle often leading to an ungrateful heart.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'” (Genesis 2:16,17)

Eve, the mother of humanity was fully aware of God’s command, but she desired the one thing that God said that they could not have. Eve was deceived because of her heart’s desire to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Her story exposes Satan’s mastery of using deceptive words as weapons against humanity. Eve fell because she desired more than the perfect life that God had given to them.

“…to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” (Romans 12:3)

Eve used her logical thought processes to analyze what she saw, a visual deception. As she walked closer to the tree, perhaps the beautiful serpent was wrapped around a branch eating the fruit. She was mesmerized and overpowered by Satan’s deceptive strategy. As Eve attempted to comprehend what her eyes were seeing, a serpent in the forbidden tree, Satan used his powers to speak to her calmly and invitingly.

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

“And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'” (Genesis 3:2-3)

Although Eve answered the question, at that point, Eve became confused between God’s command and what she was seeing and hearing from the serpent. God never said, “nor shall you touch it.” Can you imagine the serpent lovingly touching the fruit with his head? With its actions and spoken words, the serpent convinced our mother the fruit had amazing power. She rationalized that the serpent must have eaten the fruit because unlike other serpents this one received the power to talk. He had eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and he was still alive!

Surely [definition]: to speak with assurance and confidence; a word used to emphasize the speaker’s firm belief that what they are saying is true and often express their surprise that there is any doubt of this.

“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Like an experienced salesperson, this was the statement of closure. Satan was aware that his scheme had worked. He planted the seed of doubt in Eve’s confused mind against God. Satan presented God’s warning of death as a lie. Not only had the serpent eaten the fruit and was alive, but the serpent also appeared to be like God because he could speak and conduct an intelligent conversation just like she and Adam.

When the serpent said, “you will be like God,” Eve truly believed that God had withheld the best from her and Adam. Her desire to be like God created a sense of entitlement as she willingly disobeyed, picked the fruit, and ate it.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6)

Once Eve sinned, Satan used her to boldly approach Adam. And the fall of our earthly Mother and Father was complete. In reading the story of our parents, our hearts should feel a deep sense of grief. Not only their loss of immortality, their home—the Garden of Eden, and cessation of face-to-face communion with Jesus Christ but their disobedience caused our Lord and Savior to suffer an excruciating death to provide redemption for humanity’s sins.

Like Eve, many Christians are living in these last days in confusion. Satan has presented deceptive strategies and beliefs which they have readily accepted. Their hearts are filled with the seeds of doubt and disbelief in the promises of God. Former believers have accepted the worldview of prosperity. Jeremiah 29:11 has been twisted into a message of entitlement for wealth. Instead of using God-given resources to help those in need, many pursue earthly treasures to fulfill their heart’s desires.

Satan knows his time is short, therefore, he has increased his methods of deception. Just as he used Eve to give the fruit to her husband, Satan is using half-hearted Laodiceans to deceive many Christians who are alone and lonely. With an appearance of godliness, these men and women approach the steadfast disciples of Christ with false whispers of love and pull them into unequally yoked relationships and marriages. But their lifestyle reveals that they do not love God with all of their hearts nor are they preparing for eternal life.

Yes, matters of the heart also affect those who truly love God. Even so, we must stay close to Jesus by praying daily for the anointing of the Holy Spirit or our emotions will serve as a gateway for deception. Avoid forming alliances with those whose interests are worldly. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Praise God! We know how the story ends! God has faithful and obedient remnant people standing on the truth of His Word. We are fully aware of our daily involvement in spiritual warfare. Yet, we still believe that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Romans 6:23). And we believe in God’s warning “you will surely die” for unforgiven sins.

With grateful hearts, the righteous love Jesus for His unequaled love and sacrifice for humanity. We have the blessed hope that one day soon, we will see our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ coming again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to give us the reward of eternal life.

Through many sacrificial offerings of a spotless lamb, Adam and Eve received forgiveness for their sins. Yet, because of the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, one day the faithful will meet and talk with our earthly parents, Adam and Eve in heaven. Hallelujah! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Prayer: God, we pray for those who are living as Laodiceans that they awaken from their spiritual slumber to fully commit their hearts to You. And Lord, we ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our lives as we prepare every day for Jesus’ soon coming. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus, Amen.