Don't Flirt, Fight!

The Fall

“Don’t flirt, fight!”

I’ve felt led to preach on the gospel because it is the knowledge of the gospel that saves, transforms, that preserves. But in preaching through the gospel narrative I want you to know it’s not just a narrative about what happened but about what’s still going on. It’s not just a history lesson it’s extremely important and contextual and relative to our lives today. In the narrative of the fall we have not just the description of what happened but how it happened, and from that we also have didactic instruction on how not to follow in Adam and Eve’s footsteps. Consider the fact Moses wrote this scripture while the Israelites were traveling in the wilderness, restored in relationship to God through His freeing them from Egypt and enroute to the promised land where He had covenanted to bless them and make them a great nation. This narrative explained why things were the way they were and gave them the how, so they could learn from the negative example, while their hope was to be in the God who chose them, provided instructions for obedience, as well as provision for when they would fall short. So as we go through the story of the fall and the implications from the fall today let us also consider the application from this text on how to fight temptation in our lives, and abide in the blessing of relationship to God.

Genesis 3:1–7 HCSB

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Genesis 3:1-

1 corinthians 15:21-22 result of Adam and Eve sinning is we all inherit their sin/position in depravity and broken relationship to God. though Adam and Eve were made in God’s likeness their lineage was birthed in their likeness, post fall, blemished with sin. for all have sinned.

If your not part of the solution your part of the problem

Evil is complex- it’s inside me (James 1); it’s outside me, sociological; how I’m treated (Joseph), and Spiritological demonic evil. Our problems are complex and temptation can involve all 3 at same time.

spiritual warfare

“Don’t flirt, fight!”

If your not part of the solution your part of the problem

Eve

Jesus and Satan in wilderness

Joseph and Potiphar wife

Don’t engage with temptation. Run from it. Joseph didn’t try to witness to his temptress, that wasn’t the right context. If someone is trying to get you to sin with them not just sexual, you need to flee from sin not flirt with it.

Don’t flirt with sin, fight it.

A heart that is content in love will not stray.

Jesus didn’t have a long debate with Satan while he was tempting him, he used well interpreted scripture then moved on.

eve had a wrong interpretation of scripture, weak connection to God, and passive backup.

V6 she then considered the temptation. First Satan had to get in between the relationship, get her to stop focusing on the person and consider the temptation. When she focused on the temptation she fell in to rationalization.

Eve considered the temptation.

if you love me you will keep my commandments.

Adam

Adam started out complacent, even if his interpretation was right he didn’t love enough to speak up and have that awkward interaction. Passivity led to involvement in the sin. Adams connection to God was weak as well. Compare Adams affection and interaction to Satan questioning God and threatening Eve to David’s interaction with Goliath. Affection leads to action, stirs up emotion. also says be careful you don’t get caught in sin with other believers.

Egypt worshipped a serpent that held great wisdom and power

Mesopotamia as well

Also was in charge of chaos

Genesis account doesn’t include the serpent till after God’s work is complete, showing God to be the one powerful eternal God. Specifically states in 3 was created by God, lower in power and position.

Arum - cunning

; ; negative connotations.

Evil is complex- it’s inside me james 1; it’s outside me, sociological; how I’m treated (Joseph), and Spiritological demonic evil. Our problems are complex and temptation can involve all 3 at same time.

spiritual warfare

V6 she then considered the temptation. First Satan had to get in between the relationship, get her to stop focusing on the person and consider the temptation. When she focused on the temptation she fell in to rationalization.

Adam started out complacent, even if his interpretation was right he didn’t love enough to speak up and have that awkward interaction. Passivity led to involvement in the sin. Adams connection to God was weak as well. Compare Adams affection and interaction to Satan questioning God and threatening Eve to David’s interaction with Goliath. Affection leads to action, stirs up emotion. also says be careful you don’t get caught in sin with other believers.

Satan

Satan’s tactics. He misquotes God to test her knowledge. Are you sure Of what He said? Accuses God of being wrong, controlling. Then Satan pointed out the benefits of the sin. His goal was to get her to rationalize the sin. Focus on the benefits of the fruit rather than her relationship with God.

God

- my love is not dependent on your actions, I won’t give up on you! Your sin made an impact but my love will be victorious! faithful and consequences

Positive example of fighting temptation -

Jesus and Satan in wilderness

Matthew 4:1–11 HCSB

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him.

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus didn’t have a long debate with Satan while he was tempting him, he used well interpreted scripture then moved on.

Joseph and Potiphar wife

Genesis 39

Don’t engage with temptation. Run from it. Joseph didn’t try to witness to his temptress, that wasn’t the right context. If someone is trying to get you to sin with them not just sexual, you need to flee from sin not flirt with it.

Don’t flirt with sin, fight it.

A heart that is content in love will not stray.