We All Fall Down

Read Genesis 3: 1-24

Karen Makishima

I can picture it now. The view may even be similar to the 18th hole here at the Ko’olau Golf
Resort: Green; Luscious; Only Eve, her God, her dream man – Adam, and some very tame
animals. But then someone enters the picture and causes Eve to doubt. She wonders “Could
there be more!” “Go ahead”, Satan encourages, “you will be like God.” The bite was taken
and thus began the fall of all mankind. As a result, the state of innocence was forever lost
in this world. Sin was now defined as usurping the authority of the Divine in determining
for ourselves what is good and evil. The bottom line is that sin separates us from God. This
separation invoked God to come up with a plan to remedy the curse (redeem us back). In the
fullness of time, God sacrificed His one and only Son in our place so that those of us who claim
Christ as our Savior may live forever in eternity with Him.

The effects of sin are moral and spiritual bondage, guilt, death, and ultimately hell. James 1:
14 – 15 tells us that, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then
desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death”.

We are all guilty of sin in our lives. Romans 3:23 states that “all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.” The word guilt carries with it the concept of deserved punishment. Are feelings
of guilt good or bad?

I can go on the worst guilt trip when I know that I have my priorities all out of line. I am
repeatedly guilty of putting too much of my energy into trying to complete my “to do list” and
then having nothing (or just the scraps) to give to God or my family. Guilt nags at me to stop
what I am doing and refocus on what I should be doing. This is the Holy Spirit’s prompting to
get right with God and others. We all know of men or women who have committed the most
heinous crimes with no trace of guilt. Their heart becomes hard. This is a dangerous place to be.

God made it clear in Mark 2:27 that the law had been made for man’s benefit and that
wrongdoing not only brought suffering to the offender and possibly another human being,
but it brought pain to the heart of God.
 DAY 2

P r ay e r
Heavenly Father, We know in the beginning Adam and Eve were oblivious to evil until Satan
enticed and deceived Eve. We look forward to the day when You will take us to Your heavenly
kingdom where no evil exists. Until then, we thank You for making a way out for those of us
who call You Lord and claim Your promises. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who dwells in us
and gives us the wisdom, strength and power to follow Your will for our lives. Amen

Questions
What sin in your life has power over you?

Why did God give us choice? What would life be like if He didn’t?

Satan has a plan for you. What plan do you have for him?

MY Reflections
Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: