Daily Devotionals

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way Week 2: Thursday

"Then he said to the woman, "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you." And to the man he said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it." Genesis 3:16-17

Good parents understand that it is essential for their kids to face the consequences of their actions. It is easier to ignore bad behavior, but it is not helpful in the long run. Kids need to understand that we face the consequences of our actions, good or bad. This understanding carries through for our entire lives, from childhood to adulthood. Our actions have consequences, and they will affect our entire lives. This began from the very beginning when Adam and Eve committed the first sin. They faced the consequences for the rest of their lives. We face the consequences of sin entering the world as well.

After Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, sickness, pain, shame, and death would be a part of their lives and the world, and they would also face the consequences of their sin forever. After these first human beings acknowledged that they had eaten the fruit that God had commanded them not to eat, God announced the consequences they would personally face. First, Eve would have greater pain in both pregnancy and giving birth. There would also be conflict between husbands and wives over authority. Next, to Adam, God cursed the ground so that earning a living and harvesting crops would be difficult. These consequences would be a reminder that life had changed forever because of sin. 

Recognizing sin's consequences helps us understand our sin's severity. Consequences remind us that sin has devastating effects. As we walk through the consequences, we are encouraged to turn to Christ, the only one who offers forgiveness, hope, and freedom from sin. We are all still facing the consequences of sin in the world. One day, however, we know that God will restore everything and make things right. I cannot wait for that day.

Moving toward action

Read through the going deeper section slowly today. First, list all of the consequences that Adam and Eve faced. Then, list some consequences you may face for sin in your life. Thank God that He loves us enough to allow us to face the consequences so we can learn.

Going Deeper

Genesis 3:12-19 (NLT)

"The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."

13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?"

"The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

"Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel."

16 Then he said to the woman,

"I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
but he will rule over you."

17 And to the man he said,

"Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
whose fruit I commanded you not to eat,
the ground is cursed because of you.
All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you,
though you will eat of its grains.
19 By the sweat of your brow
will you have food to eat
until you return to the ground
from which you were made.
For you were made from dust,
and to dust you will return."