4 MARCH
Sinning with our eyes open
‘And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’ Genesis 3:2–3
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Proverbs 2:1–22
If the enemy of our souls can seduce us so far as to parley with him, we seldom come off unhurt. Something there was, in his appearance and in the manner of his speaking, that drew the attention of Eve. She might have been upon her guard, for had he meant well, he would rather have commended the goodness of God to her than have started a doubt concerning his command.
Her answer includes an acknowledgment of the bounty and blessings she enjoyed. This heightens the ingratitude and folly of her compliance afterwards and left her without excuse. How unreasonable, as well as rebellious, to disobey a good God who had given all things richly to enjoy. The devil tempts poor sinners to think God a hard master, but if you will be his servants you will find nothing is forbidden you but what hurts you and what it would be your interest to avoid, even if you were not to give an account of yourself to God.
She owns the prohibition, and therefore sinned with her eyes open. Why was not Satan discouraged when he found she had the precept in mind? Probably he saw, or judged, she was beginning to yield—that though she remembered the precept she wished it was otherwise.
FOR MEDITATION:
Sin, when viewed by Scripture light,
When the gospel trumpet sounds,
Is a horrid, hateful sight;
When I think how grace abounds,
But when seen in Satan’s glass,
When I feel sweet peace within,
Then it wears a pleasing face.
Then I’d rather die than sin.
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 7 [1/4], GENESIS 3:2–5
