Eve-baring (bearing) it all is about more than being NAKED!

First in a series entitled "The X Factor: Getting to know the women of Scripture.

First, let’s get it out of the way:  Eve was bare–as in naked.

Being bare in this manner wasn’t an issue. Adam and Eve weren't ashamed of their nakedness. They were in the presence of their Mighty God and they were worshipping in His greatness.

So just what did this woman-the Mother of All Living Things-bear?

She was created to bear the Image of God. She was to be the reflection of God! Like God but not the SAME as God.

When you look in the mirror-what do you see? You see a reflection of yourself-not your real self. It's you-only not as "good". Eve was to be a reflection of God, made in His image. Yet, Satan deceived Eve into believing that if she ate of the forbidden fruit she could be the same as God. And so she became the bearer of the sin of envy. She wanted to be the same as God.

Once Eve rebelled against God's instruction only then did she bear the shame of being bare. She became aware of her nakedness. Eve's disobedience took away the glorious natural beauty of being made in God's image. No longer did they feel the comfort of walking with Him in the paradise He had created for them-instead they felt shame and hid from Him.

Eve bears the responsibility of the fall. Though Satan tempted and deceived her, Eve still made the CHOICE to rebel against God. Satan did not place the fruit in Eve's mouth; she willingly took that fateful bite. And not only did she partake herself, but she turned and convinced Adam to do the same

Because of her sin, Eve would bear additional pain in childbirth. Would giving birth be painless if not for the fall? I don’t believe so, but we now suffer increased pain as a result. But Eve’s pain of childbirth continued long after her children departed from her womb. She bore the pain and agony of suffering through the murder of one child by another and the curse that God placed on the guilty child.

As any mother can tell you; giving birth is relatively easy compared to the pain that follows.

But as a result of our dear Eve’s actions- she was able to bear the promise from God that she would give birth and her offspring would crush Satan’s head and strike his heel. Our blessed Jesus Christ would be the eventual offspring who would save us by defeating Satan.

• Praise your God who created you in His image.
• Thank Him that even in His judgment He promised a redeemer who will crush the head of the enemy.
• Ask Him to help you have a desire in your heart to follow His will and be a reflection of His image.

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Beth spends her days serving (along with her Hubby co-captain) as ref, ump and coach to her two sporty boys. Read more about how she handles "Living in the Land of Testosterone" as a Sportsmomma.

PHOTO CREDIT: William Strang: The Temptation, 1899. Oil on canvas

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