The Beginning of Sin

Genesis 3:1–7
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These verses give the tragic story of the fall of mankind (vv. 3:1-7). Eve’s listening to the snake was like listening to the world around us (vv. 1-5). That is why we need to be careful who we choose as friends and where we go for advice. There are four clearly defined steps that Eve took on the pathway to sin and these are the same steps we find it happening today:

1. Sin begins with the sight of sin. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food” (v. 6). The sight of sin may not in itself be sin but it leads to sin. Therefore as much as possible, the very  sight of sin ought to be avoided. That is a good reason why we should guard what we watch on T.V. (I Thessalonians 5:22).

2. The second step to sin is desire.  “A tree to be desired” (v.6). To desire that which we have seen, if it cannot be ours is sin. Matthew 5:28 is an example of this when it says, “That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” This is one reason pornography is so terrible.

3. The third step to sin is indulgence. "She took the fruit and did eat” (v. 6). Desiring the forbidden fruit is actually a covert sin; but taking and eating of the fruit was overt sin. Looking and  desiring leads to participation. An example of this is David and Bathsheba.

4. The final step to sin is the involvement of others. "Gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat” (v.6). Eve’s sin affected Adam and consequently the entire human race.

Application

In order to avoid sin I must control what I see and desire. I need to pray every day for the Lord to guard my eyes and put a hedge of protection around me and my family.