If you've been following the news lately, you've probably noticed—we live in a messy, upside-down world. What was once considered good is now called evil, and what was once evil is now celebrated. Our world could be a much better place, but it's broken. Why? Because we sinned against God.
In the beginning, it wasn't like this. God created a perfect,
sinless world for us to enjoy. He gave Adam and Eve clear instructions: "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you
must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat
from it, you will certainly die" (Genesis 2:16–17). Sadly, Adam and Eve
chose to disobey, and sin entered the world.
It began with a conversation between Eve and Satan, who
appeared as a serpent. We don't know what the serpent looked like, or whether
the conversation included small talk—but we *do* know the strategy Satan
used. It's the same one he still uses today.
1. Satan casts doubt on God's Word.
He begins with, "Did God really
say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1). I
twists God's generous command into something restrictive. Eve responds, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but... you
must not touch it, or you will die." This slight alteration opened the
door.
2. Satan invites us to trust ourselves instead of God.
Eve saw that the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the
eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, so she took and ate. Then she gave some
to Adam, who was with her, and he ate (v. 6). She trusted her senses and
desires over God's Word. She leaned on her own reasoning instead of God's
truth.
And we still do the same today. Satan tempts us to trust in ourselves—our systems, traditions, feelings, programs, even our own "goodness." He'll try to keep us from reading the Word or distort it in our minds. Either way, his goal is to make us trust ourselves or anything else instead of God.
When confronted, Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. And
Adam even hinted at blaming God! The blame game began—and continues. But make
No mistake: sin always devastates. Our spiritual condition is no one's
fault but our own. As we look around today—at the moral decay, the disregard
for human life, and the lack of virtue in leaders', it is clear: we made the
mess.
Genesis 3 tells us how we went from "It is very
good" to "What a mess!" Our sin broke a perfect relationship with God. But even
in the middle of our rebellion, God gave a promise. In Genesis 3:15, God speaks
to Satan: "I will put enmity between you and the
woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you
will strike his heel." This is the first promise of the Messiah. That one of the descendants of Eve would suffer one day at Satan's hand, but ultimately defeat
Him. That descendant is Jesus.
Even while the stench of sin still lingered in the Garden,
God was already planning redemption. Though Adam and Eve were spiritually dead,
God promised One who would restore spiritual life. God's grace was already at
work.
So how do you begin again? It starts with faith. The
Lord is supreme over all things. We can be honest with Him about our faith. His
power does not fade and flows along with our confidence in Him. Regardless of
how we feel, we can trust that God is always in control. While we are limited
in our human ability to change the world, God has infinite power. God must
awaken your heart, and you must respond. Here's a simple, honest prayer:
"Father, I don't come with any
excuses. Like Adam and Eve, I've often turned from You. I am a sinner, and I've
made a mess of my life. Today I accept the salvation You offer. I believe that
Jesus died in my place, for my sin, and that His resurrection opened the door
for anyone who believes—including me. I place my trust in Christ. Lead and
direct my life. Thank You, Father, for Your grace. Love.
Yes, things are a mess. But they don't have to stay that way.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always.
Dr. Dimas E. Castillo
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