RELATIONAL HEALTH

Genesis 3:6 - 19

BIG IDEA: I MUST OVERCOME MY FEARS OR IT WILL RUIN MY RELATIONSHIPS

“...so Eve ate some of the fruit. Then she also gave some to her husband, Adam, who was with her, and he ate it. Immediately, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.

So they sewed fig leaves together to cover up themselves. Then they heard the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from God among the trees. But God called out to Adam, ‘Where are you?’ Adam replied, ‘I heard you coming and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’

Then God asked, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’ Adam said, ‘You gave me this woman and she gave me the fruit, so I ate it.’ Then God said to Eve, ‘Why did you do this?’ Eve replied, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate it.’

...So God said to Eve,’ Because you disobeyed me. You’ll have greater trouble in pregnancy and great pain in childbirth. And though you’ll desire your husband he’s going to lord it over you.

Then God said to Adam, ‘Because you also disobeyed me and sinned with your wife, the ground you work is now cursed. And though you’ll get to eat what you planted, your fields will have weeds, and thorns and thistles, and for the rest of your life you’ll have to sweat and work hard to get your food until you yourself are returned to the dirt that I used to create you.” Genesis 3:6-19

HOW DOES FEAR DESTROY MY RELATIONSHIPS?

MY FEAR OF BEING FOUND OUT MAKES ME ISOLATED

“God called to Adam, ‘Why are you hiding?’ Adam said, ‘I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’”
Genesis 3:9 - 10

Shame

“…they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness”
Genesis 3:7a

Cover Up

“So they sewed fig leaves to cover up themselves.” Genesis 3:7b

Distance from God

“Then they hid from God among the trees.” Genesis 3:8b

MY FEAR OF REJECTION MAKES ME COMBATIVE

“God asked, ‘Did you eat… what I told you not to eat?’ Adam answered, ‘You gave me this woman and she gave me the fruit!’” Genesis 3:11b - 12

“Then Eve said, ‘The snake tricked me into eating!”
Genesis 3:13b

MY FEAR OF BEING OUT OF CONTROL MAKES ME DOMINATING.

The result of their sin: They lost control.

“…You’ll have yearning for your husband, but he will lord it over you…” Genesis 3:16b

IS THERE A SOLUTION TO MY FEAR? YES
GOD’S LOVE.

“Wherever God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out all fear.” 1 John 4:18a

HOW CAN I LEARN TO EMBRACE GOD’S LOVE?

SURRENDER YOUR HEART TO GOD.

“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.”
Job 11:13 - 18

REMEMBER WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU

You are accepted

“Jesus made us acceptable to God.” Titus 3:7

You are loved

“My love for you will never end says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:10

You are forgiven

“There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!” Romans 8:1

You are valuable

“You’ve been bought and paid for by Christ’s death.” 1 Corinthians 7:23,

HONOR THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE OTHERS.
“I’m giving you a new commandment to love each other. Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
John 13:34