Chaos in Paradise sermon

The Results of Sin

Genesis 3:7-15

By Orpheus J. Heyward

The Text of Emphasis

7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

                Up until this point we have studied sin in its origin, in which we discovered that it is impossible to speak about the origin of sin without engaging in a conversation about the activity of Satan.  Without question, Satan is the author of sin.  Prior to the fall of Adam, Satan had already brought sin into existence.  As a result he is cast out of Heaven to the earth, which means the fall of Adam and Eve happened sometime after creation and prior to the first temptation.  Ofcourse it was through Adam that we see sin introduced on earth (Romans 5:12).  When we looked at the process of the sin as it related to Adam and eve, it became evident that sin is a choice that a person makes.  Sin is not something we are forced to commit, nor can we use the excuse that is commonly spoken in religious “the devil made me do it”.  To the contrary, James, the brother of Jesus,  said so explicitly that we are drawn away by our own lust ( James 1:14-15).  Satan cannot force us to sin, but he does appeal to our desires.   Like a master fishermen, he baits us in hopes of dragging us out far away from God.  Satan in his craftiness is a master at choosing the right baits in order draw us away. He is tactful, deceitful , and methodical in his aggression toward man.  However, we have come to the point in our study where as we will focus our attention on the result of sin.   Sin ushered in some unfortunate results.  All three parties involved receive consequences for their actions.  To Eve, she will have pain in childbearing, and her desire will be to her husband, in which he will rule over her.  Adam will toil in difficulty in that God cursed the earth

I.                    Then the eyes of both were opened ( Awareness)

The first think that happened as a result of the fall was that they eyes of Adam and Eve are opened.  It begs the question in what sense were their eyes opened.  Apparently this is not a reference to their physical eyes because their physical eyes were already opened.  Therefore, this statement must be taken figuratively.  When the bible says that their eyes were opened, it refers to their mind coming to a point of realization.  We use this same vernacular when someone has brought us to a point of understanding.  There have been times when I have preached the gospel of Christ, and a person would approach me and say, “I have never heard that before.   You have opened my eyes.”  Even in our everyday language, we use this phrase.  Even the apostle Paul uses this kind of language when he prayed for the church at Ephesus that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened (Eph. 1:18). Adam and Eve’s eyes are opened, but to what?  Their eyes are opened to the lost of innocence, and broken fellowship with God.

A.      How did Eve Lose her Innocence?

Eve lost her innocence because she was deceived.  Satan has baited and enticed her by distorting her understanding of the word (2 Cor. 11:1-2, 1 Tim. 2:8-11).  Although she was deceived did not change the fact that she was in sin and punished.  She is held responsible for allowing herself to be led astray, rather than remaining loyal to the word she received form God.

B.      How did Adam Lose His Innocence?

Adam’s sin was compliance to his wife’s voice, and therefore guilty for ignoring God’s voice (Gen. 3:17).  His wife’s voice became the authority over the voice of God.  Adam was not deceived, he simply complied with another’s voice.  This is relevant to all who have relationships.  Be sure that whoever you are in a relationship with understands that God’s voice is the authority in your life.  If they cannot respect your relationship with God, then you need to re-evaluate that relationship.  Many Christians are led away from the body of Christ because they become more loyal to another’s voice.  This speaks to who really has influence over you?  Jesus speaks directly to this in Luke 14:26, where he states:

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

II.                  the Reality of Lost Innocence

They knew they were naked.  They no longer have moral purity, and now see their nakedness.  They are conscious of the fact they are stained with sin, and this is clearly witnessed by the fact that they now see their nakedness. Now they want to be covered because they are ashamed.  Sin has changed their perception because there was a time when they were naked and not ashamed (Gen 2:25).  Therefore , when they become conscious of their nakedness, it indicates that they are ashamed because of the guilt of sin.  As a matter of fact, the word nakedness becomes a term used to describe sinfulness (Lam. 1:8, Rev. 3:17).  All of us can relate to being naked before God.  Nobody can become boastful in their righteousness.  We have all been down the road of running form God trying to find some cover.  There may even be those who are honest enough to admit that there was a time when sis had you to bad, that you felt too ashamed to even come to church.  That is exactly what the devil wants.

III.                 They sewed fig Leaves

Adam and eve seek their own covering through their own efforts.  In essence, they created their own plan of salvation. Fig leaves were very large in Palestine, and it would seem as if that would do the job,  Yet God rejected their covering.  Too many times, we attempt to cover ourselves through our own efforts.  The reality is no amount of good can cover up you sins.  Sometime we think if we sin, then all we have to do is do some good, and hopefully that will gain me points with God.  Unfortunately, no amount of good can eclipse my sin. In addition, we cannot create our own plan of salvation.  Many religions are guilty of this very thing.  All over the world people have constructed their on plans of salvation.  Only God can provide the plan that is sufficient to erase, forgive, and eradicate our sins.

Why their plan didn’t cover them:

·         God required a sacrifice. Blood must be shed (Heb. 9:22)

·         The sacrifice would have to be perfect, and therefore innocent

·         Through the death of the innocent, the guilty can be covered.

·         Since the innocent dies for the guilty, this is salvation by substitution

Christ is God’s plan to save man

·         He was sacrificed (Mark 10:43)

·         He was our Substitute (Romans 5:8)

·         He was innocent (Matthew 27:4, 1 John 3:5)

·         We can be clothed with him when we are baptized (Gal. 3:26-27)