"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate" (Genesis 3:6).
The story of the fall of humankind is a sad one. Adam and Eve were created in perfect fellowship with God, knowing nothing but harmony with Him.
But when they chose to listen to the voice of God's enemy instead of God Himself, all that changed. Suddenly, their perfect relationship with God was ripped apart, everything that was beautiful now made tragic.
We all labor under the sin that caused Adam and Eve to turn away from God. Their curse is ours, for we too have chosen the world over God.
The description of Eve choosing to eat the fruit is fascinating. Moses, the author of Genesis, says that she saw 1) the tree was good for food, 2) it was a delight to her eyes, and 3) it would make her wise. These three descriptors mirror a list in 1 John 1:16, where John details the things we pursue instead of God: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.
So what is this sin that has broken our relationship with God? Simply put, it's anything we choose over God. It can be an appeal to our bodily needs--Eve saw that the fruit was good to eat. It can be an aesthetic appeal--Eve noticed that the fruit was lovely. Or it can be an appeal to our pride--Eve realized that the fruit would give her wisdom. In short, anything that elevates ourselves above God is sin.
This is something we all face day after day. Our only hope is through Jesus, who enters our lives and through His own strength enables us to choose God instead of ourselves.
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