Resist the Fruit of the Tree

Over the past few days, we’ve reflected on the story of Adam and Eve. They are surrounded by beauty, goodness, and companionship—in the very Garden of Eden! How could they not follow God’s commandment to avoid one tree? How could they not trust that they already had all they needed?

But then I think about my own life. The blessings are bountiful and clear… and yet, there have been many times when I’ve questioned, when I’ve thought, I need more, when I haven’t been able to trust.

This lack of trust can play out in destructive ways. With Adam and Eve, taking matters into their own hands led only to more longing and grasping.

This is true on many levels:

• If we don’t trust God, we’re more likely to seek revenge—and less likely to forgive.
• If we don’t trust God, we may take more than we need—and be less generous.
• If we don’t trust God, we’re constantly reaching for the next thing—never at peace.
• And if we don’t trust God, we can become bitter, cynical, or fall into despair.

One of the things that strikes me about this story is that it’s not just something that happened—it’s something that happens.

Maybe we resist the fruit by trusting God, even when we can’t see the full picture. Maybe we resist it by trusting Christ’s teaching to love, give, and forgive, even when the world scoffs. Maybe we resist the fruit of the tree by trusting that we already have what we need—and that even if the worst happens, we are still in God’s hands.

Let us pray: Help us, O God, to trust that you are as good as Jesus taught—gracious, merciful, forgiving, and loving. Help us to trust your providence, and your promise that in life and in death, we belong to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.