Adam and Eve found themselves in paradise, the likes of which we cannot imagine. They had everything they could possibly need.
God completed his work and deemed it “very good” (Genesis 1:31, NKJV). He then rested, leaving it up to man to enjoy or corrupt this extraordinary blessing.
Satan knocked on their door with smooth, flattering words and Adam and Eve fell for his lies, allowing evil to enter (Genesis 3:1-19). Instead of protecting their house, sin moved in and they were expelled from the Garden (Genesis 3:22-24).
In the 1980 film, “The God’s Must Be Crazy” a peaceful African tribe finds trouble when a Coke bottle falls from a plane. Initially astonished that the “gods” have given them this gift, they soon realize it is a curse as the bottle sparks fights, anger and pain.
The tribal leader throws the bottle away, only to see someone retrieve it. To protect his house, he takes the Coke bottle many miles away, so it will no longer threaten their peace.
Adam and Eve should have chosen the same path, instead of accepting Satan’s lies.
What will we do to protect our house, our spiritual abode? Will we accept the lies and bring evil into our midst? Paul wrote, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” (Ephesians 5:3). In other words, we say no to Satan’s sales pitch and slam the door in his sneering face.
We teach our children that sin is not welcome in our lives. We protect our hearts with the pure gospel of Christ. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
We do not allow the sins of the flesh to enter our homes (Galatians 5:16-21). We do not slip them in and hide them in a corner so no one will see them (Ephesians 4:1).
How much sin is acceptable in our lives? A woman puts a glass in front of her beloved child. Someone asks her how much poison she will allow in her child’s glass. She will shout none!
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). God provides all that we need, so we must fill our homes with his bountiful blessings.
–by Richard Mansel