Disguised as Good

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Imagine for a minute that you are Eve in the Garden of Eden before the fall. Everything is perfect. You’re in perfect relationship with your heavenly Father, because there is no sin present. Not only is there no sin present, but you have absolutely zero understanding of what evil is. It’s more than a foreign concept to you, because you only know the good and perfect gifts that come from above. You only know joy – the joy that comes from spending time with your husband who you were created to dwell with, the joy you feel when you experience the amazing animals and beautiful flowers that God created, and – more than anything – the joy you get from spending time with your Father in Heaven. You get to walk through the beautiful garden every day, the sun shining on your face, no shame or embarrassment in your nakedness, no sin to confess, no disagreements between you and your husband, only complete security and complete bliss. …Then, the serpent comes and shows you the most delicious-looking fruit and tempts you with the most delicious of offers – to be like God.
So many people wonder, “How in the world could Eve throw everything away and eat the fruit?”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. – Genesis 3:6
Some key words here are good and pleasing and desirable. Temptation always seems like those three things, doesn’t it? Eve wasn’t attracted to evil or the idea of disobeying God; she was attracted to the good that seemed to come from eating the fruit. After all, it would make her like God, which is the best thing you can be, right? And it would give her wisdom, which is a good thing… right? She trusted in her feelings rather than trusting in her God. She dwelled on a lie, believed the lie, then acted on the lie… and that resulted in sin.
So many women believe the lie that they should trust in their feelings, and they react to their feelings by giving in to temptation. They feel like it’s good. “I feel worthless… so it’s good to find my worth in my job. I feel unattractive… so it’s good for me to show off my body and dress to be ogled; at least then I’ll feel pretty. I feel alone… so it’s good to distract myself by being in relationship with anyone, even if they will tear me down in my walk with God instead of building me up.”
Here’s a challenge: Think of a major issue in the world today, any one. Does one side promote sin while the other promotes biblical principles? The people who support the side that promotes sin – do they believe with every fiber of their being that they are right? I’m sure they do, because they are attracted to what they feel is good. Feelings are so powerful and so, so confusing. That’s why we need to constantly study God’s Word, learn more about Him, and consistently pray to Him… that way, when temptation comes, we can recognize what is good and what is evil.
What are you tempted by today? Are you focusing on the good that you think it will bring you – like a sense of worth, a good feeling, a sense of security, or a sense of accomplishment?
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. – Psalm 37:23-24
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!