Did God really say ....? You shall not surely die!

In this first picture we are given of the tempter in this extract from Genesis 3:1,3, we see that he is subtle, and that he is a liar. And in this first temptation, we see the basic three types of temptation, the lust of the flesh (food here representing all bodily appetites), covetousness (it pleased the eyes) and it involved pride (it was desirable to make one wise (all this in verse 6 see also 1 John 2:16). But as with all temptations, there are consequences to yielding, that are totally undesired. Someone once said that sin takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay!

Satan also comes to confuse and to plant doubts which we all have at one time or another, and the evil one plays on them. The antidote, is to hear and believe the Word of Truth, the Bible (John 17:17). We can then answer "Yes God really did say!" But also as here, before the temptation is yielded to, the consequences are minimized or dismissed (you shall not surely die!). As we shall see, afterwards our yielding to temptation allows the devil to do what he does best, that is to be the accuser of the brethren and to plague us with guilt and shame (Revelation 12:10). However, as we shall also see in the days to come, the seeds of our redemption, of our deliverance, are also found here in this chapter. In particular God does not leave us without hope!

Some have found the fact that Adam and Eve did not immediately die physically, as something of a puzzle. But there are many forms of death. In particular they died spiritually on that day. We read for example, that before salvation we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). They also begin to die physically on that day. The good news however, is Jesus came in order that we could enter into the life of the Kingdom. That is life in all its fullness in the here and now (John 10:10b), and life with Him forever in the hereafter (John 11:25, 26).

Father, thank You that He who is in us (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). And we cannot be good if we do not resist the temptations of he who is in the World. Thank You too that as long as we have breath it is not too late to turn to You in repentance and be forgiven. Thank You for the reckless love You showed in sending Your Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2). Let me never take this for granted, and help me live for You in Jesus Name Amen

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