We’re Really NOT any Different…
You might remember Friday’s post, where I threw a class-A tantrum in my kitchen. I had been believing lies. A while back, I blogged about
Genesis 3:6-7 as part of our on-going series of “What does the bible say about marriage?” As I went to do the next post in this series this morning, I realized that Friday’s experienced tied completely in.
A long time ago, Adam and Eve had a similar experience. Although, admittedly, they weren’t emoting and banging cupboards and pans in response.
Genesis 3:8-13
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
We both did the wrong thing – and initially hid from God. 
God spoke to both of us, prompting a response. In looking back, I realized that one of the biggest benefits of regular, consistent time with Him daily results in turning to Him first in the middle of a moment – He’s always there, but we become deaf to Him because the world is so loud. His Spirit can prompt us to turn to Him, but we have to train that into ourselves.
And Adam and Eve and I blamed others. Adam blames “the woman” and God Himself…and Eve blames the serpent and herself (being deceived).
We were all wrong.
While all those things are true, we need to notice that no one’s initial response was to first say, “I’m so sorry, I disobeyed You, God.” On the surface, everyone’s anger and/or blame seems justified. My anger was unjustified last week, Adam and Eve’s blaming is unjustified. I often wonder what would have happened in the world if they had gone to repentance right away – first.
And I wonder a few other things…
Like how many times before had Adam and Eve been close to the tree?
Why were they in the wrong place? Why did they get so close to what was forbidden? Resisting temptation doesn’t mean getting as close as you can, it means staying as far away from it as possible.
Had they talked about it before? Often? Was she wearing Adam out with her disagreement? We know he had told her what the rule was, because she sort of knew the rule, although she added to it. Why did she do that?
Why did God question Adam? It seems to me He’s holding Adam accountable – God doesn’t ask them both where they are (and btw, He’s God – He knows where they are!), but instead He directs His inquiries to “the man.” Many believe this is the passage that demonstrates how God holds men accountable for their families. I would have to concur with that.
Why was Adam passive? Why are so many women today dealing with this same issue in their own husbands?
Why does Eve blame herself? Why do so many women today feel at fault for so much in their lives?
I recently read that God created us with a constant inner turmoil to struggle with pride – that this inclination to worship self is naturally in us by design. I’m not arguing that is the case, but if it is, it would certainly explain why we will always be and always have been, at our core, selfish sinners.
And I find that encouraging.
Because if God’s own original children sinned like this, and of course He knew they would, then Jesus and the redemptive cross was all part of the plan for all of God’s people since the dawn of time.
Knowing that God’s own children stunk at obeying, I can smile at my own when things like Friday’s imperfect kitchen situation occur – and I can smile at some of the critical comments (like the one I received Friday from Ann) because I can know what is true – and make a sometimes-hard choice to not own someone else’s issue.
An
d the truth is, the BOTTOM LINE is and has always been, that Adam and Eve, and I and my kids, and my husband, have always been and will always be… sinners in need of a Savior. And that knowledge helps me dish grace to myself and the other people I live with.
Thank you God, thank You Jesus.
And I’m so glad you are here today, on the journey with us!
What about you? How does this “sin nature” business play out in your interactions with others? What’s God teaching YOU?
Love to you,
So we treat them with respect and love and gently point always to Jesus. We affirm not flatter. We endorse whatever is in any way worthy of praise even if they seem egotistical.
Indeed, and, we ask for what we want, are honest when he hurts us, and pray not that he will change, but rather that he will grow closer to Christ!
I love how transparent you are in your columns. The topics and subsequent comments/observations/conversations are insightful and beneficial, even for us men.
Although this is not the central focus of today’s post, I have been discussing our “sin nature” in one of my mens groups. We have moved toward the opinion that when we’re are born again through Christ’s death on the cross and our acceptance of Him as our redeemer, we receive a new heart that is filed with the Holy Spirit. With our new heart, God considers us as worthy and noble, no longer a “sinner at heart.”
We have taken to referring to ourselves and each other as “saints who struggle with sin,” think Paul’s struggle with doing the things he knows he shouldn’t. We’ve been considering how we tend to easily rationalize our sins if we start from “I’m a sinner by default” and, at the same time, we can sabotage/minimize our personal relationship with God. We have chosen to think of ourselves in a positive way, like we know our God does. This attitude has helped strengthen my ability to recognize the lies which the enemy so readily supplies.
I LOVE this and wholeheartedly agree!!! Thank you! :). So glad you are here!!
Bless you for this Nina! You encourage us – when we fall to get up again. You encourage us – we are not alone. You encourage us to again, and again, seek Him first. And ask Him for what our heart needs. And to LISTEN. I am thankful for your open heart and sharing. This is a very good post!
Glad you are here, Shanyn!! Love your enthusiasm!!
I was watching a competition type television show and the man who won said, “I just want my wife to be proud of me.” How many men have just quit trying to please us because it seems we are impossible to please? Even where their efforts are not “perfect” there are often many elements to praise. When we praise what has been accomplished, they are less afraid to put themselves out there and try something larger and more difficult when the opportunity comes.
We want praise for the simple things we do. Is it hard to imagine that even men who seem to have an overdeveloped ego may simply want appreciation and encouragement? More men fall prey to women who are willing to praise, encourage, and appreciate them to women who possess “hotness.” That’s why so many of us find us asking ourselves, “What has she got, that I don’t have?”
Respect, Encouragement. Appreciation. Gratitude. Encouragement. They don’t cost us much but they are indeed priceless.
Hugs as always, Sweet Ladies!
Mary
Soli Deo gloria
Agreed. When I was doing training full time, this was a “common thing” that we all knew – those who present themselves with the largest egos were the ones with the smallest self esteem…now we talk about those folks as being ones who wrap up their identity in others instead of God….though we all do that to a certain degree…