Eve of Discontent

GENESIS 3

Eve was the most perfect specimen of womanhood ever created. I’m sure she was all va-va-voom and then some. She didn’t have to dust furniture, wash dishes or make the beds…..and she definitely didn’t have to iron anything! So exactly what did she do????

She had intimate companionship with her husband. Adam must have thought she was beautiful because he certainly didn’t ask God for another “model” when she was first presented to him.

She had intimate companionship with God. Her cool evening walks were spent with Her Father who created her and loved her.

She helped Adam tend the Garden and there was purpose in her life.

Eve had everything! She had perfect eternal youth, the perfect husband, the perfect home, and a perfect relationship with God!

So what went wrong?????

She listened to the Enemy's whispers of Discontent.

Today’s media has learned to take these whispers of discontent and turn them into a roar.

You need more money to make you feel successful!

You need more house to make you feel happy!!!

You need more things to make you feel fulfilled!!!!!

You need more beauty and attention to make you feel loved!!!!!!

You need more entertainment to make you feel alive!!!!!

Satan will then trick women into believing that You not only NEED these things….BUT you DESERVE them.

Then later ..after reality kicks in….we find:

That the pursuit of money brings loneliness; and fleeting success can never be captured.

That a bigger house doesn’t necessarily equate happiness, and sometimes during economic downturns brings greater heartache.

That more THINGS bring more stress as values rapidly depreciate.

That beauty fades and constant attention and entertainment only brings restlessness, self-centeredness, and hardening of the “oughteries” as in… “ I know I “ought” to pray…I “ought” to study the Word”…but I’ve got too much going on!!!!”

Satan whispered to Eve: “You don’t have enough”.

And Eve answered: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 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.”

Satan whispered again: "Your freedom is being restricted. God is not acting in your best interest. It’s not going to kill you to try something new, branch out a little, reach for and taste the good life! Your eyes will be opened and your understanding of the world will expand. You'll be smart enough to make the right choices and not let things get out of hand. Just take the leap! There is nothing you can’t accomplish!!! "

Eve looked:

....and saw that the tree was good for food,

....and saw that it was pleasant to the eyes

....and saw that it was a tree to be desired to make one wise

Eve took:

.....of the fruit thereof,

....and did eat,

....and gave also unto her husband with her;

....and he did eat.

After the damage was irrevocably committed Eve found her perfect life suddenly in shambles.

Satan was correct…Eve’s discontented eyes were opened.

Eve’s eyes were opened. What she thought looked good became tragic. She saw her nakedness before God and realized too late that all she ever was and could become came only from her Father God.

Eve’s eyes were opened. What she thought looked pleasant caused estrangement between her and her husband, and between them and God. Because of her influence, Adam now had to toil and labor apart from her, and not spend his days by her side. He could no longer be her equal companion, but would now be her head and ruler. She was driven from her pleasant home, and they had to build a new one by their own hands. Sweet evening communion with their Father was forcefully replaced by bloody sacrifices!

Eve’s eyes were opened. What she thought looked desirable became deadly. Plucking what she desired cut off access to the fruit of eternal life from herself, her husband, and her children. Death became her enemy. Every time a child she painfully bore was placed into her arms, a deep sorrow would overshadow her joy because of the sin and heartache she had brought to her children and generations to come.

Eve’s eyes were opened and she realized too late that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Her tremendous regrets were only comforted by God’s promise; that the whispering enemy would one day be revenged and destroyed by one of her own seed.

How do Christian women today, who live less than Eve's perfect life, open our eyes and turn our backs on the “roaring whisperer of discontent"

The Word of God gives us all the wise instruction that we need.

Rejoice in the Lord alway:
and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally…..
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things…..

for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
Phi 4:4-8, 11

written by Tammy Washburn 9/18/2008
(well....I don't know how short & sweet this was.... ; )