“AND I WAS AFRAID”

It is an awful hour when we must lie about our actions. When we fear questions that address the truth of our actions and cannot face those who desire our spiritual well-being, then we have passed the point Cain was at in Gen. 4:7. Adam and Eve “knew they were naked” (Gen. 3:7) when they disobeyed God. Likewise, when we disobey God, our eyes are opened. But what we see does not cause us joy; rather, it causes shame and fear...as with Adam and Eve.

When we disobey, we gain knowledge, but this knowledge does not cause us to rejoice; only to hang our heads in shame. We aren’t drawn near to God. We do as Adam: attempt in vain to hide from God (Gen. 3:10). How did Adam learn of his nakedness? Satan only spoke a lie. We read, “Each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed…when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin” (James 1:14-15). Who allows lust to conceive?

Adam blamed Eve...Eve blamed Satan...Three things to remember: God’s words were transgressed. God’s words were perverted. However, Satan’s words were obeyed. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:16).

When confronted with our sin, we ought not blame someone else, as Adam & Eve, but rather do as the Romans did: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:17-18).