Four Steps into Darkness

Four Steps into Darkness

Genesis 3:1-19

(Sermon by Jack Nazary - Fellowship Baptist Church 1993 and West Carthage Baptis Church 1998)

Introduction: Temptation, sin, ruin almost always follow the same set pattern. Look back and see. Satan does not need to change his devices with most of us. Look at Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eve strolling - voice of Satan - Smiles at Eve - Raises a question about the honor of God - First human error in history.

I. Eve listened and lingered

Lingered to listen to what Satan had to say. She was smart enough to know that anyone who questioned the loving intentions of her heavenly father, could not have anything good for her. No doubt, little alarm bells went off in her conscience. She knew the conversation was not proper. If she had whirled and fled, the story would be different for the time being at least, but she did not flee she listened. Anytime anyone hangs around to hear what Satan has to say, he will find tears, tears in his eyes and in his heart before too long. Oh, if only Eve had not listened. How deadly it is for people to listen to Satan and to evil!

She lingered and listened while Satan swept out of her heart the tenderness sh felt toward the father. Now a doubt about her father's intentions. He had apparently held out on her and her husband - afraid that they would become as wise as he. So he had forbidden them to eat of the best fruit of the garden. She may not have known except Satan told her. She now had a flurry of questions about God and not one was good. Satan had crushed her confidence in God. She was hurt, for worst this she could know at the moment. Now - What is next?

II. She looked.

In verse 6, she looked at the tree and it's fruit as never before. Why had she never noticed how attractive it was. Just think at what she and Adam had missed. She looked on the forbidden thing and now comes the next material step - that deadly step.

III. She lusted.

Ordinarily we think of lust as having to do with sex. Yes, this is lust - the unbridled sexual appetite, but not all of lust. Any desire that is based on a sinful attitude is lust. Any appetite for that which we have no right to share is lust. Any greed is lust. Now she knew lust for the 1st time in her life. She wanted that fruit and the treasure it contained. She had lingered and listened to Satan then she had looked - Now, she lusts. She lusts for that fruit enough to defy God to get it. After all any disobedience is defiance of God - It is rebellion. She listened, lingered, looked, and lusted - one - two - three - and now - She...

IV. She Lost.

Sin brings loss. Sin never misses a payday. Its wages are always those of full measure. What did she lose by defying God? She lost so much we can't list it all. But let me mention a few of the things she lost:

1. She lost her innocence - became guilty

2. She lost her soul.

3. Lost her pleasure in God - her companionship with God.

4. Lost Eden - Security

5. Lost her happiness and joy