In the beginning, as recorded in Genesis 2, God placed Adam and Eve in a perfect creation, granting them freedom to enjoy all but one tree—the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This single restriction represented a mere fraction of what was available to them, yet it posed a critical choice. They were to decide whether to obey God's command or to partake of the forbidden fruit, a decision that would shape their nature. When the moment of temptation arrived in Genesis 3, the serpent cunningly influenced Eve, leading both her and Adam to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This act opened their minds to the full spectrum of good and evil, contrary to God's desire for them to know only good. As a consequence, they allowed themselves to be swayed by selfish desires and the serpent's persuasion, choosing a path of rebellion against God. Due to their choice to take from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, God separated Himself from Adam and Eve, as He cannot abide sin. Their decision to reject His guidance and follow another mentor resulted in their expulsion from the Garden, marking the beginning of a corrupted human nature. This initial act set a precedent, illustrating how mankind, starting with a neutral nature, can be easily pulled toward evil when left to its own devices.

Mankind, since the events of Genesis 3, has lived under the curse of deciding what is right and wrong apart from God's perfect way. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, covered by His glorious beauty. Before they took from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they had a solid foundation built on the truth of God's Word and wisdom. However, the moment they partook of that tree, everything men have done has been cursed with cracks, lacking the true foundation that is only found in Jesus Christ. They knew they were naked and immediately began deciding for themselves how to restore what had covered them before, but only God could provide the restoration through the glory of Jesus Christ. This act of deciding good and evil for themselves, influenced by the seduction of a powerful shining spirit allowed by God in the Garden, marked the beginning of humanity's struggle, a seduction that continues to this day. What God offers now through Jesus Christ is a precious return to living by His Holy Spirit within the clarity and sanity of His Word, amidst a world swayed by this ongoing deception.

God's chosen saints should realize that while Satan designs temptations to exploit human weakness, Almighty God allows trials to perfect faith and prove loyalty. Consequently, every temptation provides a choice between life or death, blessing or curse. In James 1:13-15, we learn that dealing with temptation is a process, beginning with raw desire, resulting either in resistance and growth or in sin and death. God sets limits on the work of Satan, the accuser, as seen in the positive conclusion of Job's trials. We see a massive contrast between Adam and Eve's failure and Christ's victory. While Eve gave in to the lust of the eyes, Jesus overcame Satan's threefold test—hunger, faith, and power by prayer, fasting, God's Spirit, and Scripture, proving that yielding to legitimate desires becomes sin if pursued outside the will of Almighty God. While temptation is universal, it is not irresistible; no one is ever forced to yield. Furthermore, God promises to provide strength and a way to escape (I Corinthians 10:13). While society excuses sin as weakness or disease, Scripture contends that responsibility rests on the individual. Scripture provides examples of both failure and faithfulness. Failures include Lot, Achan, the rich young ruler (overtaken by greed and materialism), Saul, Absalom, Herod (overtaken by ambition), Peter (overtaken by self-preservation), and Israel (by idolatry). But victories include Job's endurance, Joseph's purity, David's restraint, and Christ's resistance. Temptation reveals whether our hearts will trust God or surrender to selfish desires. We can resist temptation only through deliberate preparation, guarding our hearts, setting boundaries, relying on God's spirit, and clinging to His Word. With God's strength, His chosen saints can endure, resist, and gain eternal life.