And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat

~Genesis 3:6 KJV

Early in our marriage, my husband explored woodworking. He learned the value of rubbing the sandpaper with the wood grain and sanding after each layer of stain. “Look,” he would exclaim, “Run your hand along my antique cherry side table—satin smooth.” I feasted my eyes on vibrant stained brown maple quilt racks, velvety sanded white pine signs, and red oak clocks. Tired but satisfied, he would gaze at the burnished wood grain in a practical completed project. His labor fulfilled him and captured his pleasure in designing and producing heirloom pieces. He proved that obedience rules reasoning in the tried and tested ways of fashioning stunning pieces.

Eve, created by God as the first woman, delighted in His magnificent creation. She obeyed His command not to eat the fruit of the tree of life. She loved to splash in the rivers, thrill at an eagle’s flight, or laugh at the monkeys. Along with Adam, they cared for the Garden of Eden. But, one day, the Serpent tempted her to think for herself rather than obey God (Genesis 3:1). She chose not to obey the command that God gave King Saul.

To obey is better than sacrifice.

~1 Samuel 15:22

Eve’s rationale, distorted by her desires, overruled her commitment to obey. Eve’s words reveal her subtle shift in thinking. She almost quotes God verbatim in Genesis 3:9 (Compare Genesis 3:6) but dips her words in darkness. Her reasoning generates an interesting play on words in three ways.

3 Ways Eve Changes God’s Word

• She subtly shifts focus when she places the “good for food” before the “pleasant to the sight” as was originally said in verse six.
  • When Eve adds the word, touch, to God’s words, the serpent’s attempt to control her brought forth the fruit of disobedience as she usurped authority by changing God’s command.
    • As the Scripture reveals her heart’s intent, we read the ominous words, “and a tree to be desired to make one wise.” Obviously, the devil had convinced her she needed his kind of wisdom (James 3:13-18) and that desire was her right.

 

During her conversation with the devil, Eve’s mind listened, reasoned, and responded to the enemy. She decided to act upon her thoughts. Her decision to disobey, her actions revealing her attitudes, and her reactions to the devil reveal a profound truth. We distort our ability to see through God’s viewpoint when the devil entraps us with our own brilliance.

God decreed that obedience to Him governs knowledge, but Eve reversed the divine order. Obedience guarantees clear focus and continued fellowship with the Lord. Disobedience twists the mind into looking at life’s situations through knowledge instead of God’s Word. Eve no longer placed obedience above knowledge. Therefore, her eyes saw the possibilities of knowledge under her own control and without obedience.

We can choose to see life through our knowledge and reasoning and use our minds to control our lives. Or we can choose to obey God by seeing life through His viewpoint. When we focus on Him, the possibilities of life under the control of an all-powerful and passionately-loving Savior enthrall us. He fashions our lives into rare beauty through all the details, sanding, finishes, and stains of life (Psalm 45:11).

Have you experienced comfort and wisdom during life’s storms as you obeyed biblical wisdom?

Lord, please open my eyes to your perspectives and guide me to understand that obedience rules reasoning. Help me to avoid my own weaknesses by obeying your loving guidance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Obedience Rules Reasoning: Marlene Houk: All Rights Reserved