THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND SEXUAL SIN

I decided to go back and read the book of Genesis and when I got to the part where Satan tempted Eve...I saw things differently this time round particularly on how Satan approached her and led to her to fall into sin......indulge me for a moment...I got three tactics that Satan used and still uses:

1. He implants doubt on God's word

Genesis 3: 1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

Before this we see God giving Adam instruction that they should not eat from the tree of knowledge then Satan comes in and makes Eve doubt what God said........step one

2. He gives an alternative to the truth

Genesis 3: 2-5 :And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  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.”

He gives you a lie that is so close to the truth, you will believe it to be true because you cannot see the difference...step 2

3. He gives you a feeling of guilt

Exodus 3:6-7: 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.Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

After you take his bait and you sin, he leaves you to feel ashamed, guilty and unworthy of God's presence that you fear to go in front of God and confess because you are 'naked'..step 3

This, ladies and gentlemen is how the devil gets you to fall without you even seeing it coming..that is how smart he is....

So how does this first sin relate to us falling into sexual sin?

Lets apply the same tactic that Satan used at the garden:

Satan: Did God really tell you to wait till marriage? Did He really say that its for only married people? 

You: God said we shall wait till marriage to have sex because sexual sin is the sin that causes us to sin against our body....

Satan: Surely! God gave you the sexual desires and he does expect you to fulfill them...I mean why else would he give the desires to you? He knows you are human and you have needs!

You: I guess He did.....it is for my pleasure and God does want me to be happy...how can something that feels this good be wrong?

This is where now we are left with the guilt...either after masturbation, fornication (sex before marriage) and adultery.....we are left to feel ashamed, guilty and unworthy to go before God...so we run to hide our 'nakedness'..... we let the condemnation get to us and say its better to continue indulging because God will never forgive us for this sin....we have already fallen and we continue to fall.....

Even with Adam and Eve the story didn't end there.....

God punished them of course and then He covered them......so it doesn't mean that when you will confess to God about your sexual sin that you will not face the consequences...in this case the consequences might be...contracting an STD, even HIV, unwanted pregnancies, soul ties.....broken marriages.....etc.... you will face the consequences but even despite that God will cover you..He will 'clothe' you just as He did Adam and Eve....

Meaning He will forgive you for everything that you have done and embrace you as His child....He offers us grace which is limitlessness...... when Satan condemns you, he blinds you so that you will not seek to be forgiven and as a result not experience the grace that God offers....

1 john 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 43:25: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 

Acts 3:19: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

God offers you forgiveness and a new beginning...so you don't have to wallow in self pity, despair, guilt, shame....He asks you to take the first step and come out of hiding....He will put you back together and make you new...so no matter what sexual sin you have been in, you are in....YOU CANNOT OUT-SIN GOD'S GRACE.......

Prayer

Dear Lord, I come to you today, asking you for forgiveness for (name the sexual sin) and for accepting the devil's lie that you will not forgive me. So today, I confess my sin and I pray that you will help me to turn away and live a life of purity that you have called me to live. Father, help me to recognize the schemes of the devil so that I will not sin against you. I thank you for your forgiveness and I receive it. In Jesus name I pray...

Amen