Understanding the nature of Satan’s schemes and their effectiveness is crucial. In 1 John 2:15–17, John said the world is made of lust and pride. The devil got Eve to question God, and she looked at the fruit. God’s children should walk by faith, not by sight. We should not allow our physical perceptions to deceive us in the spiritual realm. It looked like food. Was it? As horrible as dying! She didn’t trust what God had said, though; she let her eyes fool her.
The fruit seemed like it would give her what she naturally wanted. The world never really makes you content. Usually, we think it will fill us up, but it only makes us hungrier. Like any addiction, there is some pleasure in it, but we feel like we need more money, drugs, food, sex, or whatever it is we’re looking for to fill our sadness. Finally, all that excess ultimately leads to a hollow death. The only thing that can fill the void inside us is the endless, infinite God.
She believed it would help her learn. Satan’s lies do contain some truth. She would know what it was like to sin against God, feel guilty, be away from Him, and fear His punishment.
The three flaws discussed in both this story and the letter of John persist in our lives today. Recognize their identity! They live in the world. The world and its desires will end, but the person who does His Father’s will will live forever.
Prayer: Lord, help me understand that only God can make me content.
