I remember that, a few years ago, I saw on television a study done with children.  One child was put in a room at a time, unsupervised.  They were given a rule, not to touch a particular item in the room.  At the same time they were given a number of toys and things to enjoy.  There was a one-way glass in the room, much as you see on the cop shows on television, through which they were spied on.  The camera recorded their activities, including the conversations they would have with themselves, trying to comply.  But they just couldn’t or wouldn’t.  Their attention could not be withdrawn from the forbidden object.  The fact that it was forbidden was apparently the only attraction. And, attractive to them it was!  They wrestled with themselves, attempting to pull, and keep, their eyes away from it.  They then would be physically drawn by its “aura,” a powerful force.  They’d walk away, only finding themselves inexplicably near it once more.  They’d reason with themselves out loud, knowing that giving in was wrong.  Ultimately, the fact that they were alone allowed them to believe that they could be sneaky enough to not be discovered.  All except one child swallowed the lie and did what they were explicitly told not to do. 

In the last blog, we saw the mental reasoning that Eve might have gone through prior to her encounter with the serpent.  She only had only one “no-no” and many “yeses”.  Where was her focus?  On the one thing she shouldn’t do.  It was at that fixation where the serpent came to give her a small push in the direction she was obviously leaning towards.  Haven’t you noticed the signs in someone else?  They talk of nothing else and their vision seems to gravitate on its own to the object of their obsession.  They feel no peace until it becomes theirs, not realizing that they are surrendering a piece (peace) of themselves in the process.  Such an obsession is called “idolatry”.  It takes the place of importance in your mind and heart that belongs to God alone.  He made, and kept daily, an appointment to spend time with Eve and Adam in the Garden.  He supplied everything that they needed for their nourishment, shelter, security, and added all that would give them pure enjoyment just because the Lord enjoyed seeing them delighting in His gifts.  He was much like the husband who brings his wife flowers, candy, and jewelry just because he loves to hear her squeal with delight and feel her arms around him kissing and hugging him in appreciation. 

Idolatry, adultery, what’s the difference?  Isn’t what God feels when we pin our desires on something else the same as a spouse’s feelings when the person they willingly and eagerly committed their life to turns to someone else?  And, aren’t the steps to adultery the same as in idolatry, as well as the subsequent betrayal?  It all starts with a lack of respect for the relationship or person in that relationship with them and a larger-than-life importance placed on one’s own desires, with no regard as to the consequences.  “I don’t care what happens as long as I get mine!” is the cry of these who plunge forward recklessly.  In the end, their loved ones, their own lives, are wrecked in their passionate, ill-directed pursuit.  Aren’t we still reaping the rewards of Eve’s selfishness?  How many adults now are yet suffering the effects of their parents’ or grandparents’ foolish, headlong, irresponsible pursuits?  This continues on throughout generations.  In general, our spiritual betrayal in the Garden will be completely resolved at Christ’s return.  We can, however, seek the forgiveness that He so desires to give on a personal basis.  If only our marriages were mended so eagerly.  But with God’s help, all things are possible!

Eve had a great relationship with the fruit of the Garden.  They took care of her wants and needs.  They were always available and never complained when she treated them violently, grew bored with them, or took them for granted.  They were at her beck and call 24/7, never denying her.  They were complacent and consistent.  Maybe it was their predictability and availability that bored her.  They required nothing of her.  Was that why she now focused on the forbidden fruit?

She sat there, watching the tree from across the Garden.  Such color! The breeze blowing through the branches that sunny day made it seem to wink at her.  Her pulse quickened and she shyly (or slyly?) turned away.  But her mind kept replaying the moment.  She savored it.  It made her feel special again.  She slightly turned so as to catch a glimpse from the corner of her eye.  The branches waved at her as if to catch her attention.  H-h-mm.  Maybe she'd go get some fruit from the tree next to it, the one she was allowed to eat from.  Sure, no harm done.

But, she kept returning, preferring only the trees in its proximity.  Eve seemed to be focused on them, but her mind and her pulse were somehow unequivocably linked to THAT tree. She reasoned that it was O.K. to enjoy its shade.  Why not?  There was nothing wrong with resting under those big, bulging limbs.  Was there?  And, that trunk...massive, rippling with strength.  What was coursing through that particular tree?  It all looked so good.

The rest of the Garden sensed that there was a change in her but couldn't put their finger on it.  Maybe she just needs some space.  Maybe it's hormones or just some other temporary phase.  She'll snap out of it.  Such was the consensus as they continued life-as-usual.

Eve's circle of existence seemed to close in on the tree.  She fantasized about it's fruit and it's flavor.  Why should this particular tree be singled out as different?  Why then would it be there in the Garden?  She no longer enjoyed the beauty and the variety of the other trees, those she was encouraged to partake of and be nourished from.  Their perfume no longer enticed her, nor their leaves refreshed her.  She was absent in mind and in body.

As she slept under the forbidden tree's branches one day, she felt something fall on her lap.  It was one of it's fruits!  Eve had never touched one before.  As she picked it up, she heard a voice from above. She looked up and saw movement across one of it's branches...

We know the rest of the story, as recounted in Genesis 3.  It's obvious that the serpent found her within proximity, contemplating the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Isn't that where he usually finds us at the point of temptation, whatever it is?  Satan observes and takes note of our patterns of weakness.  He aims for the jugular or our Achilles' heel, like a hungry lion.  (I Peter 5:8, Psalms 10:9)  Isn't that what competing forces do?  Whether its a competitive game or a war, the opponents study the other's weak points.  Obviously, their aim is to win, whatever it takes.  For Satan, winning means taking us down.  For our Lord, it means rescuing us, even from ourselves.  We need to know our own patterns, admit to our weaknesses and ask God for help!  He'll help us by reminding us, gently, of the danger.  Then it's up to us.  Do we want to be faithful to Him and live a life that is blessed and be a blessing?  Or do we just want to satisfy our appetites, no matter what the consequences may be?  Choose the right(eous) answer and you'll have all of heaven's hosts fighting at your side for YOUR victory.  Choose to allow yourself to be carried by the waves of your own appetites and you doom yourself and adversely affect your loved ones, just like Eve.  As a cartoon character stated many years ago, "I has seen the enemy, and he is us!"  You have more control over your outcome, here and now as well as in eternity, than Satan would have you believe.  Focus on the truth, don't lie to yourself.  Look at yourself in the mirror and see reality.  Then give it all to God who desires to clothe you in his finest (Isaiah 61:10) in order to present you to himself as his Bride, the Church.  He's looking for a commitment that lasts forever, not a one-night stand then to only "kick you to the curb."  Focus on your future, you are the one who will determine what it will be.  What will it look like if you continue your present pattern?  What if you changed with God's help?  Only He can offer that greatly desirable "happy ending".  Reach for it!