Genesis 2:16-17

New International Version

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

For Meditation

In Genesis chapters one and two, everything was good and peaceful — creation, the garden of Eden, marriage, and best of all, perfect harmony with God. One flip of a chapter releases chaos and death. The deceiver asked a single question that changed everything: Did God really say not to eat from any tree in the garden? (Genesis 3:2). Everyone must answer this question everywhere and always.

God gave everything Adam and Eve needed to enjoy life with each other and with Him in the Garden of Eden. However, knowing what the premier couple could not handle, He kept the tree of the knowledge of good and evil from them. Disobedience meant instant death, a reality Adam and Eve would live to regret for the rest of their life.

They could have eaten of the tree of life without retribution, but they did not (2:9). Rather, they allowed the serpent to lead them away from God and onto the path to death.  

Remember, Adam and Eve were in a state of uncontested innocence before the serpent intruded. They knew no sin, but they had the potential to sin. All they needed was something to trigger their hidden feelings and desires and send them away from the God they loved and enjoyed. What an opportunity for the one who hates God and everything godly to step in and cause havoc — and he did through the serpent, so crafty and sleek.

“Did God really say?”

The world asks the same question every day. How do we respond?

Two things.

First, unless we learn to accurately quote scripture, we give the enemy undeserved opportunities to tempt and deceive us away from what God has said.

If we do not listen to God’s word to understand and obey, a simple question could make our head spin in confusion. Anybody can challenge our thoughts and leave us waddling like mudfish. Eve muddled the simple instruction of God and allowed the devil to tighten the rope around her senses (3:2). 

Second, unless we maintain an unflinching trust in God and His word, we might doubt His love, faithfulness, and purpose at critical moments.

The serpent confused Eve with the tree of good and evil and tempted the first couple with forbidden knowledge that made them question God’s love (4-5). When the devil elevated the flesh before Eve, he had the first couple under his authority. It is the constant battle that rages in our lives every day – the battle we cannot afford to lose.

The question is: Whose report will you believe, and who has proper authority over your life – the Spirit or the flesh? (Galatians 5:16-18).

So, do you trust God enough to stand against the schemes of the devil? Who is the Lord of your life? How prepared are you to prevail against the enemy like Joseph and Daniel?