THE TEMPTATION.

      (1). The Tempter. The woman was approached by the serpent, Devil (Gen., 3:1; Rev., 12:9; 20:2).

      (2). Means. He approached her by speaking in her own language and by falsely interpreting the law of God (Gen., 3:1-5; John, 8:44).

      (3). Points Tempted. The woman was tempted in, (a) the lust of the flesh, (b) the lust of the eye, (c) and the pride of life (Gen., 3:1-6; I. John, 2:16).

      (4). Results. The woman was deceived (II. Cor., 11:3); the man was not (I. Tim., 2:13-15), but the eating of the fruit brought the speedy sentence of death (Gen., 2:16, 17; Rom., 5:12-19). All the guilty parties were involved in the results.

      (5). General Results. (a) The serpent was doomed to disgrace and destruction; (b) the woman was doomed to sorrow in child-bearing and subserviency to her husband; (c) and the man was doomed to sorrow, disappointment and hard labor (Gen., 3:14-19).

      (6). Remote Results. Man's will power was doubtless weakened by transgression, but he still had the power to partake of the tree of life and live forever (Gen., 3:22-24). His memory was doubtless weakened by sin, but he remembered all the circumstances of the temptation and transgression (Gen., 3:1-13). His reason was doubtless weakened by disobedience, but he was able to attempt to shift the responsibility from his shoulders when confronted with the results of his crime [7] (Gen., 3:12, 13).

      (7). Important Fact. Sin, death and their terrible consequences were brought about by (a) hearing, (b) believing, (c) and yielding to a lie. Beware!

[CBC 7-8]