The Bible: One Bite at a Time Expository Sermon Series Notes Genesis to The Revelation Sid Galloway © 1999

Genesis 3:6 Temptation: in 3-D

Audio Tape # 24 - April 9, 2000         (Notes Updated ..... April 2, 2000)

Review: (Gen 1-3:1) Creation See the notes on the Web

Genesis 3 Previous Outline points:
I. The Serpent (Gen 3:1 a)    
II. The Seducer's First Ploy (Gen 3:1 b)
III. The Woman's Deception (Gen 3:2-3)
IV. A. Denying Death (Gen 3:4) "You will not_______"
      B. Denying the Only Deity (Gen 3:5) "You will be _______"

The Text: Genesis 3:6 (Strong's #'s in parentheses)

"So when the woman (802 ishshah) saw (7200 rawaw) that the tree (6086 ates) was good (2896 towb) for food (3978 makawl), that it was pleasant (2530 chamad) to the eyes (5869 ayin), and a tree (6086 ates) desirable (8378 tahvah) to make one wise (7919 sakal),
she took 3947 of its fruit 6529 and ate 398. She also gave 5414 to her husband (376 ish) with her, and he ate 398."'

Exposition and Commentary -

V. Temptation in 3-D (Gen 3:6)
  A. The Woman Deceived

- Matthew 15:19
- "saw" with the eyes of her heart, but failed to understand (Eph 1:18; 4:18; 1 Tim 1:5)
- pleasant = 2:9.........20:17 "covet"
   ** See the online article . . . © "The Painful Pursuit of Pleasure"
- desireable = Nu 11:4; Psa 10:3, 17
- wise = Deu 32:29.......Josh 1:7 "that you may prosper" 1:8 "good success"
              Pro 1:3 "to receive the instruction of wisdom"
              Jer 3:15 "give you pastors . . . feed you with knowledge and understanding"
- fruit = the normal term used in Gen 1.
- The # 1 MONSTER = Our own flesh (H. Self).
- Jer 17:9; Isa 53:6

1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life
is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
(comments in italics added)

The Three Dimensions of Temptation:
(Remember that all 3 are interrelated, and affect one another.)

1. The pleasure of comfort: (food, sex, drugs, ...)
2. The pleasure of things: (toys, jewelry, houses, money, . . .)
3. The pleasure of esteem: (the search for self-significance . . .)

The Deception = He who gains the most fun, toys, and power wins.

Grab all the gusto you can!
You deserve the credit you've earned!
If it feels good, do it!
. . . . . . and the commercials go on and on and on . . . .

God's Test - "Learn not to think beyond what is written" (1 Cor 4:6)

Was Eve's sin different from Adam's?
Always let Scripture interpret Scripture, especially when it does so directly:

1 Tim 2:11- 15 "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."

2 Cor 11:1-4 "Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived (exapatao = complete deception) Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!"

---

Ralph Earle, M.A., B.D., Th.D., D.D. , p. 362 Expositor's Commentary
Vol. 11, 1 Timothy
"It was the woman who was deceived by Satan and who disobeyed God. Since she was so easily deceived, she should not be trusted as a teacher."

---

John Calvin - COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLES TO TIMOTHY, TITUS, AND PHILEMON [emphasis added in bold]
- http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/comment2/1tim.htm

1 Tim 2:11. Let a woman learn in quietness. After having spoken of dress, he now adds with what modesty women ought to conduct themselves in the holy assembly. And first he bids them learn quietly; for quietness means silence, that they may not talk upon them to speak in public. This he immediately explains more clearly, by forbidding them to teach.
12. But I suffer not a woman to teach. Not that he takes from them the charge of instructing their family, but only excludes them from the office of teaching, which God has committed to men only. On this subject we have explained our views in the exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. f36 If any one bring forward, by way of objection, Deborah (<070404>Judges 4:4) and others of the same class, of whom we read that they were at one time appointed by the commend of God to govern the
people, the answer is easy. Extraordinary acts done by God do not overturn the ordinary rules of government, by which he intended that we should be bound. Accordingly, if women at one time held the office of prophets and teachers, and that too when they were supernaturally called to it by the Spirit of God, He who is above all law might do this; but, being a peculiar case, f37 this is not opposed to the constant and ordinary system of government.
He adds — what is closely allied to the office of teaching — and not to assume authority over the man; for the very reason, why they are forbidden to teach, is, that it is not permitted by their condition. They are subject, and to teach implies the rank of power or authority. Yet it may be thought that there is no great force in this argument; because even prophets and teachers are subject to kings and to other magistrates. I reply, there is no absurdity in the same person commanding and likewise obeying, when viewed in different relations. But this does not apply to the case of woman, who by nature (that is, by the ordinary law of God) is formed to obey; for gunaikokrati>a (the government of women) has always been regarded by all wise persons as a monstrous thing; and, therefore, so to speak, it will be a mingling of heaven and earth, if women usurp the right to teach. Accordingly, he bids them be “quiet,” that is, keep within their own rank. f38
13. For Adam was first created. He assigns two reasons why women ought to be subject to men; because not only did God enact this law at the beginning, but he also inflicted it as a punishment on the woman. (<010316>Genesis 3:16.) He accordingly shews that, although mankind had stood in their first and original uprightness, the true order of nature, which proceeded from the command of God, bears that women shall be subject. Nor is this inconsistent with the fact, that Adam, by falling from his first
dignity, deprived himself of his authority; for in the ruins, which followed sin, there still linger some remains of the divine blessing, and it was not proper that woman, by her own fault, should make her condition better than before. f39 Yet the reason that Paul Assigns, that woman was second in the order of creation, appears not to be a very strong argument in favor of her subjection; for John the Baptist was before Christ in the order of time, and yet was greatly inferior in rank. But although Paul does not state all the circumstances which are related by Moses, yet he intended that his readers should take them into consideration. Now Moses shews that the woman was created afterwards, in order that she might be a kind of appendage to the
man; and that she was joined to the man on the express condition, that she should be at hand to render obedience to him. (<010221>Genesis 2:21.) Since, therefore, God did not create two chiefs of equal power, but added to the man an inferior aid, the Apostle justly reminds us of that order of creation in which the eternal and inviolable appointment of God is strikingly displayed.
14. And Adam was not deceived. He alludes to the punishment inflicted on the woman: “Because thou hast obeyed the voice of the serpent, thou shalt be subject to the authority of thy husband, and thy desire shall be to him.” f40 (<010316>Genesis 3:16.) Because she had given fatal advice, it was right that she should learn that she was under the power and will of another; and because she had drawn her husband aside from the command of God, it was right that she should be deprived of all liberty and placed under the yoke. Besides, the Apostle does not rest his argument entirely or absolutely on the cause of the transgression, but founds it on the sentence which was pronounced by God. Yet it may be thought that these two statements are somewhat contradictory that the subjection of the woman is the punishment of her transgression, and yet that it was imposed on her from the creation; for
thence it will follow, that she was doomed to servitude before she sinned. I reply, there is nothing to hinder that the condition of obeying should be natural from the beginning, and that afterwards the accidental condition of serving should come into existence; so that the subjection was now less
voluntary and agreeable than it had formerly been. Again, this passage has given to some people an occasion for affirming that Adam did not fall by means of error, but that he was only overcome by the allurements of his wife. Accordingly, they think that the woman only was deceived by the wiles of the devil, to believe that she and her husband would be like the gods; But that Adam was not at all persuaded of this, but tasted the fruit in order to please his wife. But it is easy to refute this opinion; for, if Adam had not given credit to the falsehood of Satan, God would not have reproached him:
“Behold, Adam is become like one of us.” (<010322>Genesis 3:22.) There are other reasons of which I say nothing; for there needs not a long refutation of an error which does not rest on any probable conjecture. By these words Paul does not mean that Adam was not entangled by the same deceitfulness of the devil, f41 but that the cause or source of the transgression proceeded from Eve."

Calvin on 1 Cor 14:33-35
http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/comment2/1cor2.htm
"It appears that the Church of the Corinthians was infected with this fault too, that the talkativeness of women was allowed a place in the sacred assembly, or rather that the fullest liberty was given to it. Hence he forbids them to speak in public, either for the purpose of teaching or of prophesying. This, however, we must understand as referring to ordinary service, or where there is a Church in a regularly constituted state; for a necessity may occur of such a nature as to require that a woman should speak in public; but Paul has merely in view what is becoming in a duly regulated assembly.
34. Let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. What connection has the object that he has in view with the subjection under which the law places women? “For what is there,” some one will say, “to hinder their being in subjection, and yet at the same time teaching?” I answer, that the office of teaching f776 is a superiority in the Church, and is, consequently, inconsistent with subjection. For how unseemly a thing it were, that one who is under subjection to one of the members, should preside f777 over the entire body! It is therefore an argument from things inconsistent — If the woman is under subjection, she is, consequently, prohibited from authority to teach in public. f778 And unquestionably, f779 wherever even natural propriety has been maintained, women have in all ages been excluded from the public management of affairs. It is the dictate of common sense, that female government is improper and unseemly. Nay more, while originally they had permission given to them at Rome to plead before a court, f780 the effrontery of Caia Afrania f781 led to their being interdicted, even from this. Paul’s reasoning, however, is simple — that authority to teach is not suitable to the station that a woman occupies, because, if she teaches, she presides over all the men, while it becomes her to be under subjection.
35. If they wish to learn any thing. That he may not seem, by this means, to shut out women from opportunities of learning, he desires them, if they are in doubt as to anything, to inquire in private, that they may not stir up any disputation in public. When he says, husbands, he does not prohibit them from consulting the Prophets themselves, if necessary.
For all husbands are not competent to give an answer in such a case; but, as he is reasoning here as to external polity, he reckons it sufficient to point out what is unseemly, that the Corinthians may guard against. it. In the meantime, it is the part of the prudent reader to consider, that the things of which he here treats are intermediate and indifferent, in which there is nothing unlawful, but what is at variance with propriety and edification."

---

James 1:13-17 "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

- He followed her lead (Gen 3:17) and abdicated his God-given RRR (rank, role, & responsibility).
- David Galloway, my little boy at four years old. "Dad, I know why Adam obeyed his wife and ate the fruit. He did it because he didn't want her to be mad at him!"
- Beyond Adam's desire to avoid conflict with his wife, he also sought to be his own god, just as the serpent had tempted.
- Even if Adam was not present during Eve's temptation, he should have asked her where the fruit came from and sought God's advice before following her lead:

Jer 3:12 "As for My people, children are their oppressors,
And women rule over them.
O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err,
And destroy the way of your paths.”

1 Tim 3:4-5 ". . . one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); ..."

- Man was created to rule as the glory of God (1 Cor 11:7), so when a man refuses to exercise his RRR it is a dishonor to God before the whole world and the heavenly host above (Eph 3:10).

---

- Richard Baxter (1673) Classic Counsel for Family Soulcare

 (From Chapter VIII. of this English Puritan's manual on family life, "Christian Economics," found in his book A Christian Directory, which was first printed in 1673 and reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria in 1990.)

Direct. I. The husband must undertake the principal part of the government of the whole family, even of the wife herself. And therefore,
I. He must labor to be fit and able for that government which he undertakes. This ability consists,
1. In holiness and spiritual wisdom, that he may be acquainted with the end to which he is to conduct them, and the rule by which he is to guide them, and the principal works which they are to do. An ungodly, irreligious man is both a stranger and an enemy to the chief part of family government.
2. His ability consists in a due acquaintance with the works of his calling, and the labors in which his servants are to be employed. For he that is utterly unacquainted with their business, will be very unfit to govern them in it: unless he commit that part of their government to his wife, or a steward that is acquainted with it.
3. And he must be acquainted both with the common temper and infirmities of mankind, that he may know how much is to be borne with, and also with the particular temper, and faults, and virtues of those whom he is to govern. [know them intimately]
4. And he must have prudence, to direct himself in all his carriage to them; and justice, to deal with everyone as they deserve; and love, to do them all the good he can, for soul and body.
II. And being thus able, he must make it his daily work, and especially be sure to govern himself well, that his example may be part of his government of others. 
Direct. II. The husband must so unite authority and love, that neither of them be omitted or concealed, but both be exercised and maintained. Love must not be exercised so imprudently as to destroy the exercise of authority; and authority must not be exercised over a wife so magisterially and imperiously, as to destroy the exercise of love. As your love must be a governing love, so your commands must all be loving commands. Lose not your authority; for that will but disable you from doing the office of a husband to your wife, or of a master to your servants. Yet must it be maintained by no means inconsistent with conjugal love; and therefore not by fierceness or cruelty, by threats or stripes .... There are many cases of equality in which authority is not to be exercised (1 Cor 7); but there is no case of inequality or unworthiness so great, in which conjugal love is not to be exercised; and therefore nothing must exclude it."

Col 2:6-10 "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

Mat 4:1-11 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."

Solomon said,
"Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart any pleasure, . . .
Then I looked . . . on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

". . . My people shall be satisfied with My goodness says the LORD." Jeremiah 31:14

"Now this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent"
John 17:3

"Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

Satisfaction comes only when God's "river of living water", God's Holy Spirit, is flowing through us to
those who are thirsty (John 7:37-39). Far too often, Christians function like stagnant pools, forgetting that it's better to give than to receive (John 3:16). 

We need to counsel (disciple) one another so that our attitudes and actions become more and
more in sync with the Lord's self-sacrificial will. Real joy comes only when we pray for our Father to
put on our hearts people, families, and ministries that we can bless in tangible ways. Only by turning
our focus away from self (Luke 9:23-26), onto the desires of Jesus and the genuine needs of others can anyone find fulfillment. This is what it means to be filled full and overflowing with His Holy Spirit.

What are your top temptations? Comfort, things, esteem?
Get alone with God and write out a description of when, where, and how you are most tempted.
Then seriously submit to His Lordship over these desires as you turn away from them.
Find an accountability partner to help you stay away from these sources of dishonor and destruction (man to man, woman to woman, parent over children).