She Saw that the “Tree” Was “Good for Food”

Today, I find myself reflecting on, “How could Eve have been taken in by the serpent so easily?” In truth, we see the same thing happening all around us in today’s society.

Genesis 3: 1-6 “… And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

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.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

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, …”

Some things may seem okay, they may be pleasant to the eyes, you may think they will help make you wise… what fruit are you eating? Is it what God has provided or a lie from the devil?

A question. Is it or isn’t it harmful? We find ourselves justifying our “contemplation” of what God has already set as a rule to be obeyed.

Another question. Is it a heaven or hell issue? While I completely understand that there will be many in heaven that might not live by the principles that God has laid before me… When do I have permission to ask the question for myself? In most cases (that I have observed as a minister/pastors wife), it has become a question of “justification” for what we want to do… rather than sincerely seeking out what God wants from us. I believe we should handle the things of God, and His convictions He places on us during the ministering of the Word… very carefully. We can often set aside something, thinking… “Oh, that isn’t for me.” When, in all reality, God is trying to urge us closer to Him.

The scripture says in 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Obedience is very important but that doesn’t mean you forget sacrifice because you are being obedient. Sometimes, the things God is asking of us, are beyond where obedience takes us…it is a sacrifice! I think in Bible days, they were comfortable making their sacrifices but had a hard time being obedient. Today, some can be obedient with no problem, but when it comes to true sacrifice… they are unwilling to go the extra mile, make themselves uncomfortable, and are content with what they have. Why stretch further? Why give beyond what is required of me? Why do that? … it might make me uncomfortable.

So back to the question… is it a heaven or hell issue? I think it could be. Is it possible that God IS speaking to us when the Word goes forth and our first reaction is, “Oh, so-n-so should have been here, they needed to hear that”? From now on, I think I’m going to stop in the midst of that thought, and ask, “God, am I justifying something in my life?” “Are you asking something of me?” or “Are you desiring me to draw closer by analyzing this in my life?”

I don’t want to fall in the trap of the devil. Questioning what I know is true, and justifying myself. “She saw”… Lord, let me see things as they are, help my vision to not be tainted by the words of my enemy. Help me to see clearly, and not shy away from Truth.