BiblicalInsights.net

     Every person is confronted with temptation.  There is much to be learned from the fall of Eve.  The record is given in Genesis 3:1-24.  First, Eve was isolated.  Satan often works one on one.  Eve relied upon herself to resist Satan.  She could have turned to God for help.  She could have talked to her husband, Adam.  Perhaps she thought she could handle the situation on her own.  The decision she made proved to be the wrong one.  Jesus advised his disciples to watch and pray (Matt. 26:41)!  In the moment of temptation, we need to strengthen relationship with God.
     Second, Eve manifested unbelief.  She knew what God had said.  “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.”  Satan said, “Ye shall not surely die.”  Eve rejected what God said and accepted what Satan said–  a fatal mistake.  In order to overcome temptation, we need a strong faith in God.
     Third, Eve indulged the lusts of the flesh.  The sacred record states, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6).  The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are all actively working within Eve.  See I John 2:16.  Peter commands us to “abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).
     Fourth, Eve multiplied her sin by becoming a temptrest.  The Bible says that she “gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”  She is the first temptrest in the Bible.  Often those who practice sin want others to join them in their sin.  When sinners entice you, do not consent (Proverbs 1:10). 
     Fifth, Eve attempted to conceal her sin.  “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).  In the presence of God’s holiness, Adam and Eve were keenly aware of their own unholiness.  They hid from God’s glory and feared His justice.  When confronted by God, Adam and Eve attempted to shift the blame for their sin onto someone else.  This is the first recorded instance of the “blame game.”  Many have played it since.  We lie to conceal personal responsibility for our sin.  The remedy for this is confession of sin.  When we can honestly admit our sin, we have taken the first step toward renouncing it.  
     Eve’s pathway to failure should be a warning to all of us.  “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41)