You Cannot Trust Your Own Eyes
Friday’s Verse:
From Genesis 3:6 ESV
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”
In this one verse is found the tragic turning point of human history. Eve looked—and looked with unbelief. Her eyes were not opened by faith to see what God had said was true. Eve looked with eyes deceived by the serpent. The fruit was good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and to be desired to make one wise (pride of life). These three pathways to sinfulness ring throughout human history. And they describe every temptation we face: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
Adam didn’t stop her. He was there. He watched her do it. And he too ate the fruit.
We are no different. Our “natural” eyes and heart see sin as appealing, logical, even sensible. We downplay the danger, pursue the promise, and exchange God’s truth for a lie about ourselves. We can do nothing to stop this cycle when left to ourselves. We are born into it, bred into it, and by nature, we cannot properly fear God or believe in Him.
Except that’s not the whole story.
Thank God it’s not. For here comes the Lutheran gratia: the God who “saw” Adam and Eve fall naked also ran after them. He found them. He called them from the bushes. And while He judged them rightly, He pronounced the first Gospel words alongside the judgment:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
“Her offspring” is our Lord Jesus Christ, born of a woman. He tempted in every way, yet in no sinful way. Jesus never “looked” with unbelief on the lusts of this world. He never saw sinful pleasure as “good,” tasty pleasure. Jesus refused the forbidden fruit. But He drank the forbidden cup in our place.
Next time your mind is fried, and Satan is tempting you with the lie that sin looks appetizing, enjoyable, or smart, remember this: you cannot trust your own eyes. But you can trust His Word, which does not lie. He sees you in Christ as forgiven, righteous, and promised eternal life.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord, when our plans come to a halt and we cannot see the road ahead clearly, remind us that You are in control of our future. Give us grace to wait through life’s delays, trusting Your promises instead of our own understanding. Keep our eyes focused on Christ, who has forever secured our hope of eternal life. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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