Today, we are reading chapters 3-5 of Genesis:
Isn't Satan a cunning creature? He knows how the sin nature works and uses that knowledge against Eve.
3:1-Satan asks Eve-Did God actually say "has God indeed said?" He knew exactly what God had said; "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"
He knew that God had pointed out two very specific trees that they were not to eat of. Satan was in the process of confusing Eve and trying to make her feel that God was depriving her of something that she deserved to partake of.
3:2&3-Eve corrects the serpent and confirms that God spelled out the consequences for disobedience.
3:4&5-Then Satan continues to tempt Eve (with pride), he tells her that she can be like God-further supporting, in her mind,the idea that God is depriving her of something she would not only enjoy, but that would make her a better person.
3:6-Eve looked, she touched, she took and she ate; yielding totally to the subtle promptings, and temptings of Satan. The Bible says she then gave it to her husband who was with her and he ate also.

This is why it's so important to watch out for the influence that not only, Satan can have on us, but also, others in our lives. We must stay close to God, so that we will be strong enough to resist temptation when it presents itself to us.

3:7-Adam and Eve are aware of one of the consequences for their sin. They realize that they are naked and are ashamed. This is a new emotion for them-remember in chapter 2 verse 22, the Bible specifically tells us "they were both naked and not ashamed" Sin causes us to become ashamed because we are aware that we have separated ourselves from a holy God through our actions.
Without repentance and forgiveness the separation stays in place and our fellowship with God is broken. That's exactly what Adam and Eve were feeling.

3:8-Isn't it funny that man thinks he can hide from God? The dialogue that follows reveals yet another new emotion for man...Fear...Before Adam & Eve sinned, they had no reason to fear-God had taken care of them, everything in Eden was perfect and without fear...now, they feared their creator.

What a great lesson there is here for us.
I John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If we want total peace, wholeness, and a life without fear in our relationship with God, we must confess all known sin on a continual basis and accept the forgiveness that God offers so that our fellowship with Him is not broken.

3:11-14-Everyone points a finger @everyone else. When God speaks to Adam he points to Eve, and in turn Eve cast the blame on Satan.
The funny thing is that God didn't need any of their opinions, He was prepared to deal with each of their sin.
3:15-16-God deals with Satan-punishment for his part in the temptation of Eve.
3:16-19-God deals with the sin of Adam & Eve.
3:20-24-God curses mankind through Adam & Eve and banishes them from the garden forever. Now, they and all future generations must deal with the consequences of their sin.

Chapter 4-The birth of Cain and Abel
The first murder
The generations of Cain's family
The birth of Seth-the new line replacing Abel

Chapter 5-The new genealogy of Adam begins with the birth of Seth.
He is called "the new seed from God to replace Abel" who was killed.
In this new genealogy you will no doubt recognize several names;
(Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah)

How unfortunate for the generations that followed Adam & Eve would have to suffer the consequences for their sins. But how awesome that God loved us so much that He made a way for us to restore the broken fellowship that was created by the sins of our ancestors. Praise His name for that wonderful gift.
I hope that you celebrated that gift during the Christmas season!!!
I know I had a new appreciation for the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, and spent much time praising and thanking God for His wonderful provision for my sin.

Our reading for tomorrow is Genesis chapters 6-9.
See you in the morning....