2- "And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:"
3- "But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."
4- "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"
5- "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
6- "And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
When anyone approaches this passage for maybe the first few times, they will see the first initial sin of disobedience. Disobedience was key in the decision Eve and Adam made; however, there arrives a bigger picture and more to the story. The sins we can find just in this portion refer to deception, lying, pride, lust of the eyes, and rebellion against God's word.
I would like to focus on one very key important aspect that not too many people have realized. Take a look back at verse 6 and see if you can figure out what I'm talking about in relation to the title of this blog. It is apparent that Adam was "with" her during the process of Satan's misleading. However, a disgusting portrayal without any holding back to details needs to be explained here. I hope that you can take my explicit language and use it to figure out what the caliber of the situation is that is occurring in this passage.
Satan shows up to mislead (evidentially) and destroy the personal relationship between God and His most cherished creations. Satan has been at it for some time; trying to put himself above God and destroy everything He desires and love. What is about to occur in this scene is grotesque to the sight of God. Note that we can only serve one of two masters and that is either Satan, or God who created and loves us. When we serve Satan it is the biggest slap in the face to God and an act equivalent to that of adultery. God describes this idea in a metaphor of the Children of Israel becoming a whore to other nations and gods.
What Satan intended on doing was to spiritually rape what God had between Adam and Eve and destroy the relationship. Satan is best described as similar to that of a child molester who uses the treat of a candy to entice an unknowing victim into his clutches so he can destroy them. Now picture this, the molester comes to entice the woman away from God and her husband is standing right there. What is wrong with this picture in concern with what is about to happen? The man doesn't step up and protect his wife!
Of course now you must be asking me, 'How would you give advice on marriage even though you aren't even close to the event yourself.' True, I don't have first-hand experience in the practice of marriage. However, I have two things that I believe help qualify what I have to say. First and foremost, when the Holy Spirit speaks through one, then it is God who has the wisdom and authority, not me. Secondly, I've spent my whole life watching my dad and mother together. From obvious observation, I'm able to conclude common sense and godly disciplines.
Good godly men will step up to help their wife in this kind of situation. Now Adam did not have experience with the idea before, life was perfect. But if a man is walking that close to God, he should know a thing or two about stepping in to take care of business. Of course this was a different time, and they were both responsible for their choices; however, if it wasn't for the fact that Satan sought them out particularly for the commencing of this despicable act then the events afterward would have never taken place. With this idea though, a million what-if's can come to mind.
We can learn from this as men, though. If you are married, about to, or eventually will; take into account what happened in the garden. The primary focus of a man should be first on God, then on his wife. He should focus on the spiritual development of his wife and help her when she needs lifting up in various areas. The wonderful relationship of husband and wife is a unification under God to help keep each other accountable consistently, build each other up, and protect each other from temptation.
Men, love your wives. Help them become the godliest woman she can possibly become. Men, constantly yearn for and fight for your wife. Help her get through the struggles of trials and temptations. The man who is trusting in the Lord with all his heart will find the paths that He directs him on. These paths will include being a strong male figure for your wife. I say this as an outsider, you are blessed to have who you have. Constantly pursue her and God and you will find that the relationship that will continue on from that point will be greater then anything this world can throw at you,
