This morning, I read chapter 3 of the biblical book of Genesis as part of my daily devotion. This chapter chronicles the fall of humanity through disobedience to God’s instruction and subsequent eviction from the garden of Eden. I would like to share a few thoughts that came to mind as I meditated on this story this morning. I would suggest you take a few minutes to read the chapter before proceeding even if you are familiar with the story.

Adam and Eve had only “Thou shall not”, but that was the very one they decided that “they shall”. It was the beginning of man’s disposition to do the very thing he has been commanded not to do, the things he knows he ought not to do. We still see this trait in many of our lives today, even in little children, signifying that we all carry a fallen nature. But how did we fall from being God’s royal representative on earth to this corrupted nature we are all born with?

It all started with the tempter’s manipulation – the serpent who drew Eve’s attention to God’s command and then, in an act of rebellion, contradicted God’s statement “You will not surely die” (vs. 4), making God out to be a liar. With her attention now drawn to the fruit, Eve was pushed on by her own desires and became attracted to the forbidden fruit, thinking it “good for food” and “pleasant to the eyes” (vs 6). She also believed the tempter that the fruit would indeed make her wise. What a tragedy!

Guess what? In our battle against iniquity, it’s still the same modus operandi in place today: the tempter draws, our desires push, and before you know it, we’re reeling in the mire of sin (see James 1:13-15). But there were three questions God asked Adam & Eve after the fall, that can help us break the cycle of rebellion against God, and live lives that truly honour our heavenly Father. Let’s check them out.

1. Where are you? (vs. 9)

You cannot sin while standing in God’s presence. You must first depart before entertaining sin. In fact, listening to the tempter only happens when you are not mindful of God’s presence. So if you stay in prayer, and keep your heart full of God’s Word, you have the first barrier to sin. Like the Psalmist said, “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11)

2. Who told you? (vs. 11)

The voices you listen to, especially the ones you spend much time with and pay attention to, whether in movies, on the internet, on radio or social media, those are the ones that determine your actions and the direction of your life. They automatically instruct your mindset and introduce ideas you may not even be conscious of into your mind. So, whose voice is feeding your thoughts? What are they nurturing within you?

3. What have you done? (vs 13)

There are 3 steps to sin: the tempter draws, our desires push, and then we yield. The first two steps can always happen, but the third step is where we have influence, where we can pause to say: “What am I about to do?” This third question shows God placing responsibility for the fall on human beings, not the tempter. Adam had deflected, blaming Eve (and God), and she too blamed the serpent. But God always holds us responsible!

This is why Jesus came and died a shameful death on the cross, taking the fall for our sins and giving us His untainted victorious life in exchange. If you have not accepted his sacrifice for your sins, you need to do so now, confess Him as Lord and embrace new life in Him. After you accept Christ, the responsible to choose still lies with YOU! God gives us the power to choose through Christ: the power to say “No” to sin and “Yes” to righteousness. We must choose right!

This is where I draw a curtain on my sharing from Genesis 3 today. I hope it blessed you. I would love to hear your thoughts as well…please share in the comments. Stay blessed, and stay victorious!