Monday, February 9 She began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.​—Gen. 3:6.

[Helen Highwater]

Monday, February 9

She began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.—Gen. 3:6.

 

Jehovah had that sad account recorded for our benefit. It helps us to understand why he hates sin so much. Sin separates us from our Father, and it leads to death. (Isa. 59:2) That is why Satan, the rebel spirit who instigated all this trouble, loves sin and seeks to promote it. He might have thought that he won a great victory in Eden. But he did not understand how loving Jehovah is. God never changed his purpose for the descendants of Adam and Eve. He loves the human family, so he immediately offered hope to all. (Rom. 8:20, 21) Jehovah knew that some of those descendants would choose to love him and would seek his help in fighting against sin. And as their Father and Creator, he would give them a way to be set free from sin and draw close to him. w24.08 3 ¶3-4

[dljbsp]

There are times when we need to make decisions. They do not stand out. They begin as an inclination, or as a way we justify a choice. It is the moment when we choose not to reflect the God whom we worship—and yet those moments matter deeply.

 

Those moments can be dangerous because they are familiar. They are not about rebellion. Often, they feel reasonable. This won’t matter. I deserve this. Just this once. Our minds are remarkably skilled at softening the edges of conscience, especially when there is no immediate consequence. - Jer. 17:9; Heb. 3:12, 13

 

In many cases, the pressure is not external. What is on the outside may open the door, but the decision itself is internal. The heart leans in before the feet move. Rationalization begins long before action follows.

 

The real danger is a lack of honesty with ourselves. An honest person is willing to ask uncomfortable questions early—before things go awry. That kind of self-examination is protective. It aligns us with who we want to be, rather than who we can justify becoming. - Ps. 139:23, 24; Prov. 4:23

 

Growth often begins with a pause—a moment of consideration, a willingness to acknowledge that something is shifting and needs to be addressed. When that awareness is exercised consistently, it becomes a safeguard.

 

Integrity, then, is proved when no one is watching—when the heart chooses clarity over comfort.

Edited 6 hours ago by dljbsp