Genesis 3:1-6 Commentary — Adam, Eve, The Serpent & You
This Genesis 3:1-6 commentary is a perfect example of why I’m drawn to biblical literature. The layers of insight within one simple story can be enormous.
In a previous post I addressed Eve’s and the serpent’s relationship literally. And explored what can be learned from that angle.
In this post I offer an equally fascinating understanding and teaching on the Eve versus the serpent saga. But here I explore the interaction of Eve and the serpent from a metaphorical sense.
And it’s a big lesson regarding one of man’s biggest weaknesses…..if left unchecked.
But first, let’s review the actual verses of Genesis 3:1-6…
Genesis 3:1-6 Bible Verses
- Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild beasts that God had made. It said to the woman, “Did God really say: You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?”
- The woman replied to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the other trees of the garden.
- It is only about fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said: ‘You shall not eat of it or touch it, lest you die.’”
- And the serpent said to the woman, “You are not going to die,
- but God knows that as soon as you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like divine beings who know good and bad.”
- When the woman saw that the tree was good for eating and a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable as a source of wisdom, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, and he ate.
Genesis 3:1-6 Commentary
Who Is The Serpent In Genesis Chapter 3:1-6?
Who? The question is more like “what does the serpent symbolize” in Genesis 3:1-6.
The answer is, the serpent in Genesis 3:1-6 is a metaphor for your internal instincts and urges. And you know this makes perfect sense because this is the reason “the serpent” never spoke to Adam.
Instead, it was Eve’s poorly controlled impulses that led her to rationalize her desires and eventually disobey God.
How many times have you gone down a similar path? How many times have you given in to an initial impulse and it subsequently turned out to be a bad idea? This is what Eve was dealing with. She gave in to a negative urge(the serpent) as has happened to many of us at times.
From giving in to an urge to overeat. To, in more serious situations, succumbing to immoral lusts and desires. The sequence is the same for you as it was for Eve.
It starts with an impulse to do something. Which on its own is not bad, evil or negative. But it is when you begin to bring your ideas and thoughts into the equation that things start to get dicey.
The next section explains the pivotal role your mind plays in giving in to your basic instincts.
Genesis 3:1-6 And The Role Of (Eve’s/Your) Mind
Notice once “the serpent”(Eve’s basic instincts) got in touch with Eve’s “undisciplined” mind, this was her undoing. What transpired next was one of the first, life-altering, serious cases of rationalization known to man.
So too can happen to you if you’re not aware and in-control of the different aspects of your mind.
For starters, your mind includes your intellect. It also encompasses your sense of fantasy and imagination. As well as your innate instincts, urges and your soul.
Eve’s downfall was that she let her imagination faculty run wild. She fantasized about the benefits of the “forbidden fruit” without consulting her intellect or sense of reason. So she let her base instincts of the flesh be primarily driven by her imagination. She let her thoughts fantasize about being “like God.” And the rest is history.
I’m sure so has been the story a time or two in your own life. And like I, I’m certain some of your instances of rationalization have had more serious consequences than others.
The thing to know is — there’s a simple, time-tested solution to keeping your imagination and fantasies in check. And that is – lead with your intellect, facts and truth when filtering reality.
Genesis 3:1-6 And The Key To Prosperity In Your Life
Eve faltered when she went off-script from God’s will.
And what exactly does going “off-script” mean in your life?
It means when you are focused primarily on your own way of doing things. In essence, you are more in-tune with your own perspective than in God’s point-of-view.
Eve sure was at the time she sinned. She fantasized about possibly being on God’s level.
The lesson for you is this. The more emphasis you put on absorbing God’s word and perspective — that in itself will diminish or completely ward off any impulses you might have involving sin.
I explained it to my kids this way. Imagine if you, for the rest of your life, went everywhere with your mom. And she did everything with you. What are the chances your mom’s perspective on life would not rub off on you? And what are the chances your mom’s constant presence in your life would decrease your inclinations to behave badly(sin)?
Pretty solid bets on both fronts.
In the same vein, God’s word is truth. And the more you learn about what is true in this world, the more likely you’ll reject false and sinful ideas.
Thus, to live a life that is primarily focused on becoming aware of God’s will for you, is indeed the key to prosperity for you and I. And for everyone.
CONCLUSION:
The messages within Genesis 3:1-6 spell out many lessons for you. It addresses concepts such as lust for power, self-control, and obedience.
But the biggest takeaway is the power of your mind. We too often take this power for granted and don’t properly filter our thoughts and impulses.
In today’s day and age, this has translated into everything hinging on an individual’s “feelings.” In fact, a lot of people claim to have “their” own truth.
And thus, more and more people have moved away from God’s truth, especially when it doesn’t suit the yearning of their basic instincts.
The solution? Align to THE truth by aligning to God’s will and word. And secondly, use your intellect/reasoning to filter God’s word and attain the ultimate discernment of the world around you.
Any other approach where God is not in the lead role will, like Eve, have your faculty of imagination running wild. Except, Eve’s unaligned mind led her to believe she could be God(crazy huh?).
In today’s society, a mind not aligned to God’s will can lead to, among many things, a man thinking he can become a woman. And vice versa. Now…..which is crazier???
