Topical Study, Resisting Temptation: Common Sources of Temptation Part V

We continue our look at the most common sources of temptation with a closer look at the TRUE cause of our sins:   our own covetous desires.

It is important to remember that if we are going to avoid temptation (which should be our first avenue of defense!), we need to know when and where to look for it.

The initial overview of this topical study can be found HERE.

Part I of the Common Sources of Temptation  can be found HERE. 

Part II of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part III of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 


Part IV of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE.  

I should state that by common sources of temptation, I am referring to a broader view, than the simple categories such as food, money, sex etc.   We are ALL tempted by different desires.  I am actually referring to the larger factors that can easily lead us astray and take our eyes off of God and redirect our eyes towards whatever might tempt us as individuals!

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!) 

Before we move on to our next segment which will deal with AVOIDING temptation, we will next take a closer look at Gen 3:1-6 where Adam and Eve sin because they were not aware of or ignored all four major sources of temptation we have listed in this study.

 

Genesis 3:1-6 (NASB) ¹ Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
² The woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;
³ but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'"
⁴ The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!
⁵ "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
⁶ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Basic Facts

Author: Moses

Date written: 1450-1410 B.C.

Purpose:  The book of origins.

Intended audience:  The people of Israel, intended to help them understand more fully the true living God who has just freed them from slavery in Egypt.

Important places:  The Garden of Eden

Main characters: Eve, the snake (the devil) and Adam

Type of Literature:  Historical record.  NLT Study Bible makes the case for Genesis being Instructional Literature as well as a historical record.  The NLT Study Bible further states that Genesis is a theological, historical and traditional based work used to instruct God's people and prepare them for blessing.

Main Themes:  In Gen 3:1-6 the main theme is man's fall!  God gave them one command and they failed to obey it!

Initial Observations

Things Emphasized

• The serpent was crafty
• That the serpent is twisting God's words and that Eve did not know God's words correctly.  (contrast with Jesus' use of the word to repel the devil in Mat 4:1-11  )
• That Adam was indeed WITH eve at the time she was being tempted!  Gen 3:6 
• In Gen 3:6 it is Eve who makes the decision  to sin!  The serpent didn't force her!  AND Adam also CHOSE to sin as he was with her the entire time but at the fruit anyway.

Things True to Life 

• When we sin, we are the ones who have made the choice to sin!

Cause and Effect

• The serpent's word play and Eve's lack of a firm grasp on God's command allow her own lusts to take over.  Her senses betray her into sinning.
• Adam's silence is RESOUNDS throughout this section of Scripture!  Could he have prevented Eve from eating the fruit?  Who know?  But as we have seen good associations can be a strength to us!  God made Eve so that she and Adam could work and BE together.  Adam dropped the ball just as much as Eve did!

VERSE BY VERSE

GEN 3:1

Grammatical and other Considerations:

• The serpent's word play is deliberately designed to get Eve off track.  The serpent knows full well that God said that they could eat of any tree of the garden except the tree of knowledge.  Gen 2:16-17  This is the type of subtlety that the tempter will use against us.  So now Eve is in a place of having to refute the serpent's words!

Verse Cross References:

• Rev 12:9  Rev 20:2  --  These references along with John 8:44  assert that the serpent in Gen 3:1  is indeed the devil (or at the very least an agent of the devil).
• Mt 4:3 Mt 4:6 Mt 4:9 Jn 8:44 --  In these four Scripture references we are reminded of how the devil WILL use Scripture to deceive us and fool us.  The devil WILL twist the Word of God.  Satan even tried to fool Jesus!  Fortunately for us, Jesus cannot be fooled or deceived regarding the Word of God, since He is God!  It is in our best interest to spend time in the Word.  To know it as best we can and to pray for guidance from it and from God when we are tempted.
• Ecc 4:10  1Pe 3:7 --  These two verses highlight the power of our associations for good and bad!  Eve was created by God to be Adam's companion.  Adam should have treasured her to the point of being able to lovingly correct her.  OR:  Even better, Adam should have pulled her away from this situation before it went any further!  We know from Gen 3:6  that Adam was right there WITH her!  Sadly for Eve, himself and us, Adam was not there FOR her!  More on this as we study these verses.
• James 1:14  2Co 11:3  -- Even though the devil is attempting to deceive Eve, and even though Adam proves to be of NO help, Eve (and ourselves when we sin!) is ultimately responsible for letting her lusts and desires win out over the direct Word of God.  Even though Adam did not help, Eve did not ask for help!

Summarizing:

• In many ways the most important phrase in this verse is "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" The serpent's word play here is so subtle! He uses a question and throws ONE little wrinkle of doubt into the conversation by using the word ANY! So before Eve answers we have seen God's Word already distorted by the devil. And there is a reason that the devil approached Eve! She was not yet there when God issued the command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! Adam heard the command directly! So the devil approached the person who had heard the command second hand. This further highlights Adam's failure in this situation! ADAM should have spoken up right then and there, because he knew the command because God gave it to him directly! Gen 2:16-17 
• This also highlights just how careful and diligent WE need to be!  Yes, God has given us His Word in the Scriptures to help us, and YES the Holy Spirit is in us guiding us BUT STILL, we, at this point in time are receiving the information one step removed:  That means we need to guard it and treasure it and nurture with all the vigor we can muster!!

GEN 3:2-3 

Grammatical and other Considerations:

• Eve adds to God's original command from Gen 2:16-17 when she states that if they even touch the tree they will die.  God stated that "in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."
• I have already mentioned Adam's silence but it is still very deafening!
• It is interesting to note that Eve probably understands die differently than does God.  (it is unclear whether the serpent knew the full deal!)  Adam and Eve most likely understood that the death to follow eating from the tree would be immediate.  And it seems from the events in Gen 3:7 that is not exactly what God meant.

Verse Cross References:

• Gen 2:16-17 -- It is interesting that this is the only cross-reference that seems relevant to this exact verse.  For in Gen 3:2-3, Eve is attempting to quote God's Word to debate the devil.  However she quotes it incorrectly.  She does not know it as well as she should.  She is trying to engage the devil in debate.  In Mat 4:1-11 Jesus doesn't so much engage the devil in debate as He just plainly rebukes him with correct usage of Scripture.

Summarizing:

• When fighting temptation we need to remember the following:  1)  If we ARE going to use Scripture (in any way shape or form) we should know it to the best of our ability.  2)  We should also ask for help when we aren't sure!  AND (note to Adam!) 3)  we should provide help to those who need it if we are able.  All three of these of principles were thrown aside by both Adam and Eve in Gen 3:2-3  and as we shall see, the devil jumps on the openings left by Adam and Eve's failures.

Commentaries:

• The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:    Points out that Eve did not have the advantage of knowing Jesus' words in Mt 4:10 or James admonition in James 4:7    She did her best but was easily deceived because she did not have the most important "weapon" she needed:  direct knowledge of the Word of God.  However, Adam did!  Adam had been told DIRECTLY by God in Gen 2:16-17 !!    Eve sinned.  There is no getting around that!  But Adam's sin was huge!  Not only did he eat from the tree, he also stood by and watched his companion, his companion lovingly created by God!, fall into sin.  We are to help each other when able!
• The NLT Study Bible:  Points out that Eve also downplayed the privileges of eating.  In Gen 2:16-17 God had told Adam that they could eat "freely" from any tree but the one in question.  Eve said they "may" eat.  Small but important difference.  Eve also left out the word "surely" before the result of eating from the tree.  ("surely you will die."  Gen 2:17 )  Again, a small but important word.  We will see in the next verse how the devil throws the word surely back into the conversation! 

GEN 3:4-5 

Grammatical and other Considerations:

• As mentioned above, the devil instantly uses the word Eve left out:  "surely."!!  Only he uses it to throw the seed of doubt into Eve's mind that SURELY she would not die if she ate the fruit!  The devil is subtle, and crafty!  We should never debate him on his terms!
• In Gen 3:4 we also see the devil's first outright LIE.  Everything else he has said has been in the form of questions to goad Eve to this place of doubt.
• And then the devil continued with a complete refutation AND an enticement.  (An enticement to Eve's pride and ego!  Much like he did when he tempted Jesus in Mt 4:3 and Mt 4:5   )  The devil entices Eve with the possibility that she could be like God!  What WAS Adam doing during all of this?  His silence is SUCH a lesson for all of us!

Verse Cross References:

• 2Co 11:3 1Ti 2:14   --  The devil deceived Eve.  He started out with a vague and deliberately misleading question.  And that is why it is always best to NOT debate with or try to reason with the devil when we are being tempted.  Because at first it seems like he is just slightly misinformed and not all that harmful, but eventually:
• Jn 8:44  --  The devil lies!  Period!  Gen 3:4-5 are outright lies and contradictions of God's words!  The devil hates us.  All of us!  He hates us even more when we belong to Jesus Christ.

Summarizing:

• I think my notes to the cross-references summarize Gen 3:4-5 quite well.  The devil sets his trap ( Gen 3:1  ), waits to see if we will fall into it, ( Gen 3:2-3  ), and then when we do, he lies and springs the trap! Gen 3:4-5  And then he steps back and watches his handiwork as WE finish the task.  ( Gen 3:7  )    
• Remember:  The devil does not make us sin.  We commit the sin!  He only leads us towards it and confuses us (if we let him)  Words to the wise:  Mt 4:10  and James 4:7  !!

GEN 3:6 

Grammatical and other Considerations:

• "When the woman saw..."  "...she took from its fruit and ate..."  "...and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." 
• The above quoted fragments show us without question that the devil did not MAKE Adam or Eve sin!  Eve saw (because of her own desires!) what she wanted to see about the tree.  She took the fruit and ate.  The devil did not even give her the fruit to entice her!  Eve took it!  And then SHE gave it to Adam.  Adam did not question!  He ate of his own accord and was not coerced.  We are responsible for our sins.  We are making a choice when we sin.  Yes we might be tempted, we might even be deceived but it is still our sin! 

Verse Cross References:

• James 1:14-15  James 4:1-4 --  These passages from James so clearly highlight why we sin and why Adam and Eve sinned.  Our (their) own lusts and desires.  We want (covet!  Ex 20:17 )  and then ignore everything that God has shown, taught or commanded us!
• 1Jn 2:16  --  "lust of the eyes"  That often does is in!
• Mt 5:28  --  Jesus is giving an explicit example of the generality that James speaks of in James 1:14-15    If we lust (covet) after someone or something we have literally sown the seed for sin!  It may not sprout right away but it has been planted!!  We must avoid coveting and keep our focus on what God wants for us!

Summarizing:

• I think that Ex 20:17  and  James 1:14-15 summarize this verse very well!  We cannot let the seed of sin plant roots!  If a sinful thought (a temptation) enters our mind or is seen in our periphery we must quickly pray, read God's Word, or just simply flee!  If we let it have time to set roots it will become harder and harder to NOT commit the sin! 

Final Thoughts

• In this heartbreaking moment in Scripture we are able to see our own lives.  We see how we can and will be tempted and we also see that the responsibility lies with us!!  When discussing the main causes of temptation I listed the following:  The Devil, Associating with the wrong People, Worldly concerns or enticements, and our own desires.
• In Gen 3:1-6  we see the devil tempting Eve through deception and ultimately playing on her own desires. We also see Adam fail Eve!  (in this case and in this moment he was a wrong association in that he did NOT help her!!)  We see Eve enticed by something in the world...power and knowledge.  She allowed this lust for power to take her mind off of God!  And finally we see her give in to her own lusts and desires and completely ignore God's commands!  And that is how sin happens.  Not always in that order, and in different degrees but that is the basic blueprint. 
• Ultimately we should learn from Adam and Eve's horrible mistake. 
•  I hope that I DO learn!

Bibliography

• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New Living Translation Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• NLT Study Bible Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2008. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

In our next segment we will begin to look at how to AVOID temptation!