Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we find ourselves gathered here today, not by mere chance, but by divine appointment. We are here to engage with the living Word of God, to engage with the eternal truths that have been passed down to us through the generations. We are here to learn, to grow, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

In the words of Kennedy Asewie, "When Satan works among God’s people, he takes advantage of their natural desires and tendencies and the things that are appealing to them." Today, we’ll be talking about these temptations and how these differ from God’s will for us and our lives. Let’s read our verses for this morning:

Desire's Deception

In the heart of the Garden of Eden, Eve found herself in a conversation that would change the course of history. The serpent, crafty and cunning, posed a question that was not so much a question but a seed of doubt. "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" Here we see the first instance of desire's deception. The serpent was not merely questioning God's command, but he was subtly stirring up desire within Eve. A desire that was not inherently evil, but one that could lead to disobedience if not kept in check.

The fruit of the tree: It was good for food and pleasing to the eye. It was also desirable for gaining wisdom. These are not evil desires. We all need food to live. We appreciate things that are pleasing to the eye. We seek wisdom to navigate through life. The problem was not in the desire itself, but in how the desire was directed. Eve allowed her desire to be directed towards something that God had expressly forbidden. The serpent deceived her into thinking that she could satisfy her desire apart from God's provision and command.

This is a deception that we often fall into: We have desires and needs, and there is nothing wrong with that. But when we try to satisfy those desires in ways that are contrary to God's will, we fall into sin. We are deceived into thinking that we know better than God. We think that we can find satisfaction and fulfillment apart from Him. But the truth is, our desires can only be truly satisfied in God. He is the one who created us and knows what is best for us.

The illusion of independence: When Eve ate the fruit, she was not just disobeying God. She was declaring her independence from Him. She was saying, "I don't need you, God. I can decide for myself what is good and what is evil. I can find my own way." This is a dangerous illusion. We are not independent beings. We are created by God and for God. We are dependent on Him for every breath that we take. When we try to live independently of God, we are not living in accordance with the truth.

The way it promises more than it can deliver: The serpent told Eve, "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." The fruit promised wisdom, but it delivered death. It promised enlightenment, but it delivered shame and guilt. It promised freedom, but it delivered bondage. This is the nature of sinful desire. It promises much, but delivers little. It leaves us empty and unsatisfied.

Its power to blind us to the consequences of our actions: Eve was so focused on the fruit and what it promised, that she failed to consider the consequences of her actions. She failed to consider how her actions would affect her relationship with God, her husband, and the rest of creation. Sinful desire has a way of blinding us to the reality of our situation. It makes us focus on the immediate pleasure, while ignoring the long-term consequences.

Dangers of Disobedience

As we move forward, we find ourselves in the midst of the garden, where Adam and Eve have made a choice that will forever change the course of humanity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO