Things That Seem Good
By: Jennifer Waddle
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. – Genesis 3:6
As Eve gazed at the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, it’s easy to understand why she was drawn to it. Delightful to the eyes and desirable for wisdom, it was too tempting to resist. Many of us can relate to Eve’s dilemma as we encounter things that seem good—too good to pass up. But in the end, some of those seemingly good things lead us away from the intended path God has for us. And, the delight of our eyes can leave us with a mess of unfavorable consequences.
One practical example would be buying a car. You set out to replace your old, unreliable car for something newer. However, the moment you step onto the lot, your budget-friendly goals are quickly met with stars-in-your-eyes options that offer the latest and greatest everything. Those brand new, shiny vehicles are a delight to the eyes. And there is a pull for your affections that’s difficult to resist.
The thing is, temptations that seem so good, often lose their appeal (and value) once you give in to them. That top-of-the-line vehicle depreciates the second you drive off the lot. And the hefty monthly payment soon becomes a burden you wish you didn’t have to carry. What seems so good at the moment almost always opens your eyes to the undesirable consequences that follow.
I wonder how many times Eve thought about that fateful moment in the garden. Did she and Adam lay awake at night, talking about how different things could have been—should have been? Genesis 3:6 describes the battle of the flesh—the tendency to follow our own desires. Yet, there was another element to Eve’s dilemma that happened right before she considered the forbidden fruit. The enemy slithered in without warning and disrupted her thoughts. As she went about her day, without a care in the world, the serpent swept in with a single question.
The life of contentment Eve had was suddenly disrupted by a suggestion of doubt. And it’s no different for us. We go about our lives doing just fine until one thought, one question, one suggestion offers us something too good to pass up.
Eve’s story can be a guide for us; an example of how NOT to listen to the whisper of the enemy. Even when something seems so good, we can (and should) take a moment to pray and ask for God’s wisdom. His Spirit will either confirm that it is good, or He will open our eyes to the truth of the situation.
Imagine if Eve would have recognized Satan’s question as a diversion from the truth. If she would have stepped away from the situation and called out for God’s help, imagine what a different world it would be! The next time something seems too good to resist, allow yourself some space to ask for God’s direction. That is one good course of action you won’t regret.
