Genesis 3:1-13 NLT
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” (Die whats that?)
4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” (Appeal to Self and be like God, decide for self.)
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. (Instant event) Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. (Surrendered to wife’s voice) 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, ( New view of life) and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. (Unacceptable – Cover up)
8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a] and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” (This is The Core Strategy, The Core Emotion, The Core Motivation.)
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” (What voice?) the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Are you willing to repent?)
12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” (Victimization!)
13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”
“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”
Characteristics Of Tree Of Good/Evil
- Willing to listen to other voices over God
- Willing to sin for selfish reasons
- Experiencing shame & guilt
- Covering up, wearing masks, doing anything to be acceptable
- Running away from God
- Choosing to live “the victim” and blame everyone else including church and God if need be.