Athlete, Don't Fall
*This devotional series has been written by the AIA staff team at the University of Virginia
Read Genesis 3:1-13
The chapter begins with a question about God's command. The implication is that the command is not good for Eve. Did God really say that? Is God withholding something good from them? The heart of the temptation is to be "like God" (3:5). Adam and Eve are already in God's likeness, but this temptation is for something more.
After they take the fruit in an attempt to take the place of God, their world begins to unravel. They were unashamed, but now they hide from each other behind fig leaves and they hide from God behind the trees. They cast blame (3:12). They are no longer comfortable in their own skin. They were not made to bear the weight of autonomy. They were made for God.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. In what ways are you questioning the goodness of God and his commands? Where are you tempted to believe that He is actually trying to withhold something good from you? Given that God created all things, prayerfully reason with yourself and see where your line of questioning breaks down.
2. Over the past few days, in what ways have you taken the place of God in your life? Take time to confess, receive God's perfect forgiveness through Christ, and prayerfully repent.
3. Where are you experiencing distance or separation in relationships with other people? Where are you perhaps casting blame on others to avoid personal responsibility?
4. Is there anything you are trying to hide from God so that you can keep control over it? There is nothing fun about this passage, but we can only experience the fullness of God's grace and renewal when we bring everything before him.
Read Genesis 3:1-13
The chapter begins with a question about God's command. The implication is that the command is not good for Eve. Did God really say that? Is God withholding something good from them? The heart of the temptation is to be "like God" (3:5). Adam and Eve are already in God's likeness, but this temptation is for something more.
After they take the fruit in an attempt to take the place of God, their world begins to unravel. They were unashamed, but now they hide from each other behind fig leaves and they hide from God behind the trees. They cast blame (3:12). They are no longer comfortable in their own skin. They were not made to bear the weight of autonomy. They were made for God.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. In what ways are you questioning the goodness of God and his commands? Where are you tempted to believe that He is actually trying to withhold something good from you? Given that God created all things, prayerfully reason with yourself and see where your line of questioning breaks down.
2. Over the past few days, in what ways have you taken the place of God in your life? Take time to confess, receive God's perfect forgiveness through Christ, and prayerfully repent.
3. Where are you experiencing distance or separation in relationships with other people? Where are you perhaps casting blame on others to avoid personal responsibility?
4. Is there anything you are trying to hide from God so that you can keep control over it? There is nothing fun about this passage, but we can only experience the fullness of God's grace and renewal when we bring everything before him.
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2019
May
Athlete, God CreatesAthlete, You're Made In His ImageAthlete, RestAthlete, RememberAthlete, God UnitesAthlete, Don't FallAthlete, Pain and Frustration Will EndAthlete, Stop ComparingAthlete, There Is No Middle RoadAthlete, Step Out In FaithAthlete, You're CleanAthlete, Know The CovenantAthlete, Know the NationsAthlete, Divisions ExistAthlete, God Makes PromisesAthlete, WaitAthlete, Location MattersAthlete, Who Is Melchizedek?Athlete, You Are IncludedAthlete, God Sees YouAthlete, God Gives Us Signs
June
Athlete, Be RemindedAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Reflect On His MercyAthlete, God Keeps CoveringAthlete, The Wait Is OverAthlete, God Tests Athlete, Put On The QualitiesAthlete, Be ChallengedAthlete, God works Evil For GoodAthlete, Glory is ComingAthlete, God Saves Messy PeopleAthlete, God Provides Athlete, God's in Control Athlete, God is PatientAthlete, Step Out in FaithAthlete, See the MarkersAthlete, Take Time to PrayAthlete, Let's Talk About Fresh StartsAthlete, Love is The CureAthlete, Grace is OffensiveAthlete, See the ForeshadowAthlete, Don't ForgetAthlete, God is NearAthlete, Are You Willing To Learn?Athlete, Give Thanks
July
Athlete, Cultivate IntimacyAthlete, Take ComfortAthlete, You Have An InheritanceAthlete, God Uses All of UsAthlete, ConfessAthlete, Don't DoubtAthlete, Make RoomAthlete, Ask Your QuestionsAthlete, Do Not ChargeAthlete, Be Aware of Resistance Athlete, Know Your HeartAthlete, Don't Be Stubborn Athlete, Trust JesusAthlete, Have Risky FaithAthlete, We Were Created For JoyAthlete, Understand the Already Not YetAthlete, What Are You TrustingAthlete, ReflectAthlete, You're a Royal Priest Athlete, PauseAthlete, Recognize His PresenceAthlete, Seek Justice
August
Athlete, Remember WITH not FORAthlete, David Wasn't Always PerfectAthlete, Confess to an Audience of OneAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Take NoteAthlete, Recognize the Preeminent OneAthlete, Put it to DeathAthlete, You Are Being RenewedAthlete, This is Your New UniformAthlete, Whatever You Do, Do It For JesusAthlete, Use A Different FormulaAthlete, We Are FamilyAthlete, You Have Three Deep NeedsAthlete, Fan The FlameAthlete, Start The FireAthlete, Know The AntidoteAthlete, Choose PeaceAthlete, Peace is a WeaponAthlete, It Was Not A Silent NightAthlete, This is How You Experience Peace
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