The First Sins
James 1:14-15a
Each one is tempted
When, by his own evil desire,
He is dragged away and enticed.
Then after desire has conceived,
It gives birth to sin.
1. Eve was deceived
Eve was unclear on the rule – tree in the middle, do not touch, you will die (Genesis 2:17; 2:9)
The serpent said, "You will become like God"; God had said, "You will surely die."
Eve thought the fruit was more desirable than the other fruit in the Garden
Good for Food, Pleasing to the Eye, Desirable for Gaining Wisdom
Eve still made a choice that reaped consequences
Eve blamed the serpent
2. Adam was influenced
Adam was not deceived
- Adam was with her
- The man is blamed for bringing sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12)
- Adam broke a command (Romans 5:14)
Adam made a choice to go with the flow
Adam became defensive - "I was afraid"
Blamed God, then Eve
3. Satan was proud
Satan was created with the angels
- Gen. 1:31-2:1 All was very good
- Job 38:4-7 God laid the earth's foundation, and the morning stars sang and all of the sons of God shouted for joy
Satan became proud:
How you have fallen from heaven (Lk. 10:18) - I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God - You said in your heart, "I will make myself like the Most High" {Isa. 14:12-15}
You were full of wisdom and perfect in beauty - You were in Eden - You were anointed as a guardian cherub (Ex. 25:18) - You were on the holy mount of God – You were blameless, until unrighteousness was found in you - Your heart became proud - I threw you to the earth {Ezek. 28:11-17}
4. Cain was in the wrong
Cain offered some fruits of the soil; God requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness of sins
Cain was very angry and downcast because his offering was not accepted favorably (Hebrews 11:4)
Cain's desire to be accepted was blocked
Cain lost God's favor
{ What was the problem Cain had? What could he do to fix it? }
Cain took his anger out on his righteous brother
Cain multiplied his troubles
- rejected by the ground
- hidden from God's presence (left to wander)
- lost his brother
- blocked his own desire to be accepted still further
Application: How can we resist?
1. Know the rules
[write down five rules your parents have for you]
Ps 119:11 - I Have Hidden God's Word
2. Don't follow the crowd
Avoid compromising situations
Learn how to stand up and say "NO"
3. Remember that You belong to God (PRIDE)
You were created with a purpose
You were purchased at a high price 1 Cor. 6:19c-20
You choose your attitude
4. Control your emotions
Physical and emotional conditions affect our ability to resist temptation. Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Focus your energy on bringing about positive change
Determine the problem
Decide what to do about the problem
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