We read James 1 and specifically reading verses 13-15, we understand that there is application for our own lives. From this section of Scripture, we can understand and examine the progression of sin. As you read through this post, remember this section in James, and apply this situation to your life. 

In Genesis 3, we read of four characters: Adam, Eve, Satan, and God. 

God the Creator, Satan the cunning serpent, Adam and Eve, whom God just created & married, living in and tending to the garden of Eden. The plot begins with Eve and Satan and we will notice our first point of this lesson –  

Eve lusts & allows Satan to draw her away 

Immediately after the serpent (Satan – Revelation 12:7-9) makes his appearance in the garden, he begins to cause issues. He approaches Eve and says, “Woman, has God really said you should not eat off every tree in the garden?”

Genesis 3:1 – Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

This question is one Satan knew would get Eve thinking. He appealed to something she would have lust for. Similarly, we begin to lust when we have interest in things God has forbidden. James 1:14, But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Eve pursues the lie & desire conceived sin

In verses 4 & 5, Satan makes the sin very appealing. Satan uses the same tactics throughout history – from the first days to the days we are currently living in. Satan does not directly talk to us like he did to Eve, but he puts thoughts and opportunities in our lives that we might sin against God. Genesis 3:6, So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise… 

We know the story, we know her decision, but a point I would like to make is the fact that it was not the doubt that Eve had that was the sin. In the parallel to James 1, we are in the step of verse 15, “when desire has conceived.”  

So when did it become sin? 

Eve gives birth to sin 

Eve had a decision to make. Had she followed God’s command, she would not have been in sin, though she doubted. However, we understand that she ate of the fruit in the rest of verse 6. “…she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

The sin was committed when Eve ate the fruit. She had the opportunity to get out of this situation from the get-go. She even had the opportunity to turn around from this, though the desire had given way for sin.  

Sisters, I urge you to read these two accounts and look at the parallels. Then, I urge you to look at situations in your own life where you could have made the decision to either keep yourself out of a place where desires will conceive or get out of a situation where sin might occur. It is not too late to escape the devil until you act on the sin. 

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Satan does not stumble upon someone to tempt, he seeks you.

Satan does not take a bite from you, he devours you. 

Be sober, be aware, and know that you have someone rooting for you. More importantly God is rooting for you (1 Timothy 2:4).