Day 4: Tarnished Images

Genesis 3:6-7

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked...

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God made it very clear that only one fruit was forbidden to Adam and Eve, but the serpent convinced them that if they ate it, they would be like God.

Eating the forbidden fruit “opened their eyes,” but left Adam and Eve with a badly tarnished image of God as they squandered the freedom and innocence they had been given:

Thinking (mind) – they grasped “worldly wisdom” that showed them how to get everything they wanted even as it led them away from God

Feeling (heart) – they sought peace, joy and love, but so often they found just the opposite as they lived with their shame and guilt

Doing (soul) – they made choices that would lead to such things as the violent sibling rivalry of Cain and Abel that would cost them both of their sons

Reflections

What thoughts, feelings or actions in your life have in some way tarnished the image of God in you?

When you look at others, are you able to look past the tarnish to see the image of God ?

Prayer

Cleanse me, O God, and restore your image within me. And help me look past the surface tarnish to see your image in others. Amen.