How temptation works
Today's focusThe serpent questions God's word and goodness, and desire grows until Adam and Eve take and eat; temptation often starts by making us doubt God's care.
Read
1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Reflection
Temptation often begins quietly, with a simple question that causes you to doubt what you have heard from God. The serpent is described as "more subtil" than any other creature, and he uses this craftiness to challenge God's clear instructions. By asking, "Yea, hath God said?" he shifts the focus away from God’s generosity in the garden toward a single restriction. This subtle shift invites you to question whether God truly has your best interests at heart or if He is withholding something good from you.
As the conversation continues, the serpent flatly denies the consequences of disobedience, claiming, "Ye shall not surely die." When you begin to believe that God’s warnings are untrue, your perspective changes. The woman looked at the tree and saw that it was "pleasant to the eyes" and "to be desired to make one wise." Temptation grows when you trust your own sight and desires over God’s word. In the end, Adam and Eve "did eat," but the result was not the god-like wisdom promised; instead, they felt the immediate weight of their own nakedness and shame.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Where do you notice temptation in your life beginning with a doubt about God's goodness?
Pray
Lord, I know how easily I am drawn away. Help me to recognise the lies that make me doubt your goodness. Keep my heart trusting you.