Read through the Bible in 2 years: Genesis 3

My, how quickly things can change! God creates a very good universe and in steps that crafty, cunning, shrewd snake, the devil.

Like we read in John – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 ESV). “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 ESV).

While God speaks for man’s good, the serpent speaks for our harm. Notice that the serpent pursued the woman, not the man. Yet, the man is not exempt from his own responsibility to lead and protect his wife. It says in Genesis 3:6 that Adam was with the woman. Also notice that Adam not only allowed his wife to eat, but he ate with her, too.

And God speaks first to Adam … And then comes the blame-shifting. Adam blames the woman, but also subtly blames God saying, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12) Eve then blames the serpent for her disobedience. (Genesis 3:13)

We need to be careful not to shift blame to other people, our husband, our children, the cashier at the grocery store, the customer service representative on the phone. We need to be careful not to shift blame to our circumstances – I was hungry. I was tired. I’d a long day. It was “that time of the month.”

Those blame-shifting thoughts and words are usually true, yet they are not helpful or humble. Adam and Eve spoke the truth, but their hearts were proud and stubborn.

Instead, let’s accept responsibility for our own sin, confess it to God, and repent of it. Don’t forget that repentance is more than just feeling remorse, feeling sorry that you did something bad. True repentance involves turning away from evil and turning your face toward God.

And when we repent, we can be sure of God’s loving forgiveness. Like we read in 1 John 1:9-10 ESV — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

There still might be consequences of our sin. Adam and Eve still had to leave the garden. They still had to face death. Yet, God is so gracious and loving – He himself made garments to clothe Adam and Eve, and He will clothe us in pure white garments through faith in Jesus Christ who shed His blood to cleanse us of our sin.

For further study – read Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6:23; Revelation 3:5, 18 and Revelation 19:7-9.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, We don’t want to be like that crafty snake. We don’t want to be deceivers or blame shifters. Please help us to accept responsibility for our sinful thoughts, attitudes, words and actions.

Thank you for sending Your only son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin, shedding His blood to pay the price that we could be forgiven.

We confess to You how often we have chosen to follow our own selfish desires instead of following Your clear commands. Please help us to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

Help us to trust You and lean not on our own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all of our ways. We pray that You would direct our steps in a way that brings You honor and glory, and brings us and those around us good.

It is in the holy and righteous name of Jesus that we pray, Amen