Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
This week I read an incredibly convicting article written by Sam Parkinson entitled “beware of sin.” While The whole article is well worth your time, the following paragraph is especially powerful.
But, I can promise you this: there is no climbing out for the one who refuses to let go habitual, unconfessed sin. You can try as hard as you may, clawing at the mud and gravel and tree roots with a free hand—as long as the other hand clutches onto that sin, the ditch is your home. You can’t have both. You can protect your image and refuse to confess your sins openly if you wish, but it comes at the cost of deep and abiding communion with God. That is what you have to sacrifice on the altar of pride in order to “save face.” 1
I’m thankful the Lord used that article along with Genesis 3:7-8 to remind me of some sins in my life that had been confessed, but the habit had not been broken (repentance had not come).
We know the story of Genesis three so well its easy to move past the details without really thinking.
- Adam and Eve had chosen to eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, breaking Gods ONE rule
- Immediately they realized their nakedness (sinfulness before God) and because of shame hid themselves from Him
- And when confronted by God, they both chose to blame someone else instead of owning their sins.
Not much has changed since the Garden of Eden
Gods voice still calls us to confession and repentance
And we still choose to hide or make excuses
Because the conviction of God (and inner guilt or shame) brings pain, and as Sam Parkinson points out “a loss of reputation.” it’s easier to just stay behind the tree. But hiding our sin, or acting as if it isn’t that big of a deal anyways hinders our walk with God.
It’s only as we step out from our hiding place, and allow the conviction of God to bring true repentance through the power of the Holy Spirit, that the relationship can be restored.
Make no mistake, God sees you hiding your sin behind the tree, and those who refuse to own their sin will experience it’s curse.
But those who allow God to break them through His judgment and cleanse them will find that their curse has already been placed upon Christ.
Johnhwilburn.org 