We're following the current teaching series, "Fighting Back," as we learn how to battle against the spiritual inhibitors of guilt, anger, greed, jealousy, lust and pride.

Read Genesis 3:1-7

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

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.

Reflect

The tree was undoubtedly beautiful and its fruit must have looked delicious, but Eve also knew that tasting it would poison the relationship of trust and obedience she and Adam had with God. Enter the Tempter, who knew just what sort of subtle pressure would blur the truth Eve knew into a desire she would choose not to resist.

Respond

We have dangerous areas in each of our lives—places and circumstances where we struggle to do the right thing. Father, I ask you to give me what I need today to resist any 'fruit'—no matter how good it looks—that will sour my relationship with you.