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. (Gen. 3:6)
The scene in today’s scripture is called The Fall of Mankind. Eve has sometimes been solely blamed for what happened in Eden, but that’s unfair. Adam was right there. He was no victim. He was a full participant. He didn’t speak up. Didn’t confront and attack the serpent. Didn’t refuse to eat the fruit. Didn’t grab Eve and escape. He was passive and silent.
Have we ever acted like Adam? We heard words that were wrong and unkind, but didn’t speak up? We looked at things that were unfair and unjust, but didn’t confront?
Why do we sometimes act like Adam? Sometimes we’re afraid others will retaliate if we do so. Sometimes we’re lazy and don’t want trouble. Sometimes we feel like we don’t have the strength. Sometimes we may get some perverse pleasure at seeing others trashed and things being destroyed.
What matters isn’t why we have ever acted like Adam. What matters is how we are going to live moving forward. Are we going to keep on acting like silent, passive, weak Adam, or are we going to act like the Adam who was made in the image, strength, and power of God?
This moment when Adam didn’t speak up was a tragedy. He was created for more, Eve needed more, the future of humankind needed more, and God desired more.
We can perpetuate this tragedy by remaining passive in the face of unfair words or unjust actions, or we can claim our rightful place as God’s agents of justice and fairness by speaking up with courage and acting with resolve.
I encourage us to do an Adam-inventory. If there are times when we acted like Adam in Eden, let’s not wallow in remorse. Instead, let’s stand tall as the forgiven and empowered disciples of Jesus, with the resolve that those days of flinching and cowering are over, done with, gone.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever acted like Adam? Ever not spoken up against injustice, ever let someone else take the blame, ever went passive when you needed to stand strong? If so, when?
- When you did act like Adam, how did you feel? Small, ashamed, or weak? If so, what are you going to do to reclaim your strength, power, and integrity?
- Every time we speak and stand against things that aren’t right or fair, we are reversing the Fall. How might Jesus be calling you to reverse the Fall in your life and circumstances?