“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 certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from 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.” (Genesis 3:1-7, NIV)
Genesis 3:1-7 tells the story of the first sin, an act that sprouted from fear and doubt, sown by the deceptive words of the serpent. The serpent skillfully instilled fear in Eve’s heart by twisting God’s words and intention, making her believe that God was withholding something good from her.
When fear gains a foothold in our lives, it can lead us astray, causing us to question God’s goodness, His provision, and even His love. It can distort our perception of reality, leading us to make decisions that go against God’s commands. Eve’s fear made her believe she was lacking, and it drove her to act against God’s explicit command.
This passage serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of fear when left unchecked. Fear, when it leads us away from God’s truth, can have devastating consequences. We are reminded of our susceptibility to fear and the importance of grounding ourselves in God’s Word and His promises. God is not one to withhold good things from us, and understanding this is crucial in combatting fears that suggest otherwise.
Wonder in the Word
Reflect on a time when fear led you to doubt God’s goodness. How can you combat such fears in the future?