“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6 ESV).
Genesis 3 tells the story of what the poet, John Milton called, “Paradise Lost.” For Adam and Eve gave in to the threefold temptation of eating the forbidden fruit. Notice the three observations that Eve makes of the forbidden fruit: 1) It was beautiful to the eyes, 2) it looked like it would taste delicious, and 3) the serpent had promised it would make her wise “like God.” At the very moment of eating the fruit, humanity’s innocence was lost and so was paradise.
The apostle John recognized this threefold weakness of humanity. He wrote, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16).
Yet, we read in Matthew 4:1-11 that after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus Christ overcame a similar threefold temptation of Satan. For Jesus responded to each of Satan’s temptations by quoting the Word of God. Jesus was obedient to the Father and the angels of heaven came and ministered to Him.
Satan is still using the same bag of tricks today. Yet those who trust in Christ Jesus are able to overcome temptation and live for Him (1 John 5:5).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray that You would not lead us into temptation, but would deliver us from evil. For we are weak and easily tempted. Yet when we are tempted, strengthen us to overcome. For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In His name we pray, amen.