Evening star., 1932-04-09
HOW SIN BEGINS.
Genesis, ii8-iii.24.
Golden Text: Watch and pray,
that We enter not into tempta-
ton. Matthew, xxvi,4l.

Our lesson presents one Of the sad
dest sections in the Scriptures. Ihere
is danger that we may miss It's message
If we seek to make a literal 1nterpre-
tation of this marvelously dramatlc
narrative of how sin began. The truln
of the account given OF the origin ol
sin appeals to us because 1t Is so true
to our own experience. The accuracy
of this record is confirmed by the tradl-
tions of all the ancient peoples. In these
narratives one can detect the eVloence
| that although they contain many oI
the original elements OF the ancleht
truth, many have been obScured WIN
the groSseSt Superstitions, yet IN tne
Genesis record we have one OF absolute
reliability Despite all the modern I'M
provements in telling the truth taught
in our lesson, no one can improve In
presenting the message of the truth
given us by the writer OF Genesis.
Facing Temptation.
Our lesson does not pretend to solve
the mystery connected with the origin
of sin. We glance at the presence OF
sinleSs pair of human beings, placed
in the garden to cultivate 1t and en-
dowed with the beauty OF innocence.
We see them gazing upon serpent al
their feet and then We observe the
shameful pair filled with the evidence
of conscious guilt shrinking away from
their Creators face to hide among the
trees of the garden.
We observe the ways that sin has
approached them, and doubt whether
the way of approach and mastery OF
them has ever been better claSSlneo
than by Bishop Mcdowell OF the Ma
441 mo n.
preached man from without just as 1t
does today. The bishop has pointed out
the PSYCHOLOGICAL attitude, the physical
desire. and the entrance OF sin through
the sense of desire. The way OF curl
osity and the gate of personal associa-
ton and social influence all had part
in the opening up Of the entrance to
sin.
We see how the suggestion Of doubt
that God had issued an order of pro-
hibition was followed by denial of the
truth of Jehovah's word. The tempter
then made a move to undermine the
confidence and faith of the woman in
attacking the character OF God. 1t is
still the method of Satan, whose argu-
ments have not changed through the
centuries. He appealed to "the lusts OF
the eye, the pride Of life, and to the
luStS OI Jle U6Su OdOdil ID d lldI dt10
through his lies brought about the fall
of man.
Mans Fall.
One needs to say but little upon
mans fall, for we have already con-
sidered the sad truth. Satan succeeded
in entering the citadel of the human
heart through the ear gate and eye
gate" If Eve had refused to parley with
the tempter and had dared to stand out
Loyalty for the God, who had not only
created her and her husband, but had
placed them within the garden OF
plenty. peace and prosperity, she could
have enjoyed the paths OF paradise by
obeying God and refusing the paths oil
the flesh. We ought to consider these
problems when We are tempted. 1t is
not a sin to be tempted, but when we
yield to the temptation, we are doomed
to fall.
Ewes influence was 5een in persuad-
ing her husband to shtare the life OF
sin with her. Sin always seeks COM
panionship and tries TO promote sin
through a life of good fellowship and
wrong doing. Years ago, when my