# 31 The Surest Defense Against Temptation

The Book of Genesis Day 31 Ge 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Satan not only assures Eve she will not die if she eats of the fruit, (for he is a liar and the father of it Jn 8:44) but tells her that God only placed that warning on the fruit so He can have all of its benefits to Himself! He convinces Eve that by tasting the fruit she will be like God, knowing good and evil! Hmmmmm, what a deal! Eve then tosses a few things around in her mind before she eats of the fruit. #1. “It sure seems like it would be good for me.” That is what 1 Jn 2:16 calls “the lust of the flesh.” “ For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world”. #2. “It’s very pleasant to my eyes.” John calls that, “the lust of the eyes.” #3. “This would make me as wise as God!” and the Holy Spirit, speaking through John calls that “the pride of life.” Why is this important to know? It’s important because these are the three basic temptations we will face in the world. Satan used the same three angles to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. #1. He said, “turn these stones into bread,” appealing to the yearnings of the flesh #2 “See the kingdoms of the world I will give them to you.” Appealing to the lust of the eyes. #3. “Throw yourself off this temple and don’t crash land! Show the people in spectacular fashion that You are God!” Appealing to pride. Jesus answered all three times with this simple statement. “It is written!” and then quoted appropriate Scripture! If Eve would’ve only remembered that response, paradise wouldn’t have been lost. The devil: “This fruit seems good to eat Eve.” Eve: “It is written, you shall not eat of this tree.” Devil: “This fruit is pleasing to the eyes.” Eve: “It is written, don’t eat of this tree.: Devil: “This tree will make you wise.” Eve: “I don’t care what you say it will do, it is written, do not eat of this tree.!” That’s all she had to remember, and she couldn’t do it! Well, the Book has certainly gotten bigger since the days of Adam and Eve and there are a lot more things that have been written concerning how we are to live God-pleasing lives. That’s why it is so important that you and I get familiar with the Word of God and “what is written.” Because temptations will come to our flesh, our eyes, and our egos, and we need to be ready for them. Ps 119:11says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” And when we fail, as Eve did, remember it is written in 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Reflect: What are some things (other than verses from the Bible) that you know by heart? Do you know any Bible verses by heart? How would memorization of key verses help you in your Christian life? Pray: Father, Your Word is indeed a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Help us to have the discipline to spend more time in Your Word storing it up for our time of need. Amen. Amen.