The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil – Deadly Fruits – Shame and Victimization

"Last week, we learned that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is deadly, and this week we will discover why, by gaining an understanding of the progression of sin. In James 1:13-15, James warns, "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.' The progression of sin does not begin with the act; it starts in our minds. We entertain thoughts that don’t align with God’s Word and then rush into deadly territory, resulting in actions that harm us."

The only way to avoid the sin and shame which follow is by constantly renewing our minds with the Word of God. After their sin, Adam and Eve covered themselves, much like the shame which covers us and causes us to try to hide when we sin. When we sin and try to hide we are focusing on our sin and shame rather than our Savior. Shame from sin strips us of the power to change, the only solution is seeing ourselves the way God sees us. 

When we sin, we often blame others, displacing our own responsibility and taking on a victim mentality. Instead, we need to realize we are either basing our lives on our relationship with God or on our relationship with others and our works. We have to take responsibility because we are responsible for our own unique relationship with God, based on the finished work of Jesus.  This week, my we fully grasp that our identity is not based on our efforts but on the finished work of Jesus which restores our relationship to God and our freedom. 

If you want to learn more, there’s still time to pick up your copies of A Year to a Better You, the year-long devotional, and the companion S.O.A.P. Journal.