When sin entered the world, everything changed, and not for the better. But that has not prevented God from reaching out in the brokenness to provide healing and restoration. In Genesis, chapters two and three, we see what is often referred to as “the fall”. In those moments, God’s creation is submitted to death and an unraveling of sorts. The serpent deceives Adam (meaning humanity) and Eve (meaning life), and rifts and negative alterations begin immediately. God then meets with them and lays out the most unfortunate consequences of their choices. Consequences that have been rippling through the world ever since. If you haven’t read about these events before, or in a while, then it would be helpful for what I’m going to be writing about. I’m going to break down Ephesians chapter five over the next two posts and draw them back to the events of Genesis. Let’s get started.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

Right off the bat we see one major contrast. The words, be imitators of God from Ephesians 5 verses you will be like God from Genesis. What was eating from the tree but an attempt to be like God? He wants us to be like Him. But not in the way the serpent did. Not in the way of worldly wisdom. Not in the way of self promotion or self help programs. He wants us to be like Him through His Holy Spirit, through surrendering ourselves, through promoting Him to the world.

The words Covetous and idolater both appear in Ephesians five and are contrasted with having gratitude. This can be compared to the root of why Adam and Eve took from the wrong tree. To covet means to wrongly desire something. Idolatry means to wrongly worship something or someone other than God. They had the entire garden, and yet they wanted more. They had God, but they wanted to become as gods. They elevated themselves and their desires above God. Genesis 3:6 says they desired the tree and what came from it. They could have been thankful, but instead they felt they were missing out and they wanted to be as god themselves. How often could we be more thankful rather than seeking more, which often leads us into doing the wrong things, with the wrong motives, and/or with the wrong attitude? The antidote is to surrender our will to God’s will. To pursue God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all things.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Don’t be deceived with empty words, but understand what is pleasing to the lord. That’s the snake. Deceiving them (and us) with empty words, slanting God’s words, and Adam and Eve participated in it. The world is still participating in it. The serpent spoke the line, did God not say and you won’t surely die. We can’t possibly imitate God when our faith is derived from false pretenses. When truth is mixed with any amount of lies, we live from lies. And a dishonest faith will never embody God or His mission for you and me.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV

Be wise therefore for the days are evil…they took the wrong wisdom and did what was evil. God. Clearly spoke His will to both Adam and Eve, yet they did what was right in their own eyes. When we elevate our desires above God’s will, bad things happen. What was God’s will for them? Eat and enjoy ALL of the garden but one tree.

In the book of James, wisdom from below and wisdom from above are contrasted (James 3:13-18). Where did Adam and Eve made that fateful decision they got their wisdom from the serpent and from the tree not the spiritual wisdom from God. In James chapter three it highlights how the wrong source of wisdom equals jealousy, selfish ambition, and is false. However, the right source is pure, peaceable, open to reason, merciful. That is brings about a harvest of righteousness. Hence the garden imagery.

God’s mission in the world has be to rewrite the fall. To bring His kingdom to Earth, in our hearts and lives. We are invited to be participants in that mission, by imitating Him. But that can only be done by knowing Him. He has been revealing Himself to the world since the beginning. And the serpent has been deceiving the world through the ages. Which voice will you choose?

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.