The stages of temptation Genesis 3:6

There is so much meaning to God's word. All it takes is an open heart, open mind and readiness to learn. As I was preparing to give my Testimony at Wednesday evening service a few weeks ago God spoke to me to teach on the original sin and how I relate to both Adam and Eve while I struggled with a stronghold of my own.

“The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Genesis 3:6 CSB

After reading this verse over a 1000 times I never knew the significance it would have on my life other than knowing that we are all sinners. I researched this verse to find a deeper meaning so that I can fully understand what God was trying to teach me. Many of you reading this know my testimony with the telling of my previous 25 year stronghold and why it is so important to stop the enemy in his tracks.

Within this verse Eve does 4 actions or verbs and in doing so goes through the 3 stages of temptation.

Eve....

-saw

-looked

-took

-gave

“The woman SAW that the tree was good for food”

At this time Eve was struggling with 'lust of the flesh.' She had the desire to eat and fulfill her fleshly needs over relying on God for those needs. God had always provided everything her and Adam could ever need without them having to seek elsewhere.

“and delightful to LOOK at.”

Eve did more than look at the fruit with her eyes. She was battling with 'lust of the eyes' wanting more than to gaze upon the fruit. Eve HAD to have the it and all that it had to offer. The more she took in the beauty of the fruit the stronger the temptation grew inside her. She didn't ask Adam for help. Not even God. She let lust take control. Many say the act of eating the fruit was the sin but in fact it was before that. The moment Eve began lusting for the fruit is when sin set in.

“and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she TOOK some of its fruit and ATE it;”

Eve should have sought after God during this time of need or at least her husband. Took and ate play hand in hand. Her mind was made up the moment she laid hands on the fruit. The second sin was committed when she fully gave in to her desire and ate. She took action to receive instant gratification instead of waiting on God's timing to fulfill her fleshly needs. More importantly Eve had the desire to be like God and know everything. This action was straight up telling God that she no longer needed him. I believe she had become jealous of Adam since he had a closer relationship with God. Adam was taught everything he knew from God which in turn Adam taught Eve. Eve desired to have the knowledge that Adam had and to be his equal. The lies of the serpent told her that eating the fruit would make her God's equal. I also believe nothing really happened after she took the bite. Eve likely felt a confusing mix of triumph, immediate physical pleasure and dawning horror. The instant reaction of being all knowing didn't hit her as she expected.

“she also GAVE some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

During this time of crisis her eyes weren't open. This happened the moment Adam participated in sin along with his wife. Eve GAVE into more sin by sharing it with Adam. With all of the confusion of this 'new found wisdom' had to be shared with her husband as they did everything together. Adam agreed to join in for this very reason. He didn't want to be separated from his wife so he had to eat even if that meant disobeying God's command. From what we are told about Adam eating it doesn't state any of his thoughts. One could interpret this as Adam not giving much thought on his actions.

After breaking this verse down I started to realize that this is the very same way I started down the dark path towards my stronghold. I was exposed and immediately my body started to react to what I just witnessed and it had to have more. My body started to go through feelings that it had never felt before. I then purposely took action to get more and guarantee that the feeling would return the moment I wanted it to. My biggest desire was to receive instant gratification. This wasn't a snap of the figures process. It was slowly building over the years to become a stronghold. I went through the same stages of temptation as Eve.

After years of giving in I became Adam. I didn't give my actions any thought. My desire was to 'get my fix' and go about my day. I believed no one was getting hurt since I kept it all to myself. I almost ruined my marriage multiple times when Samantha found out or confronted me about it.