The story of Adam and Eve gives us the first account of fear recorded in the Bible. As most of you know, Eve was tempted by the “serpent” to disobey God’s command. Adam, “who was with her,” also ate some of the forbidden fruit.
Before the fall of man, God would walk with Adam and Eve in the garden. It was a time of fellowship. A time of communion. A time of intimacy. However, this one morning was quite different:
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).
For their entire existence, Adam and Eve had experienced intimacy with God. They enjoyed true fellowship with the Almighty, the Creator of the Universe. He was their Father, and they were his children. But on this one day, something was different. They hid from their Father.
God called out to them, “Where are you?”
Adam answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (v9b-10).
Look at the four statements Adam made: I heard you. I was afraid. I was naked. I hid. The four results of disobeying God are:
- Conviction. (I heard you.)
- Fear. (I was afraid.)
- Shame. (I was naked.)
- Separation. (I hid.)
Please understand, I am not saying everyone’s panic and fear is a direct result of some sin in your life. But, I do believe that fear is a result of being separated from God–a broken fellowship.
So, how do we restore fellowship with God? How do we walk with him and talk with him?
The first step is to confess your sins to Jesus; ask him to forgive you. He is faithful and ready to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Then, spend some time praying and worshipping the Lord. If each one of us would spend quality time with God, then his love would break down all the walls that separate us from him.
Prayer: Father, I know that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me. Thank you that because of your Son, Jesus, I no longer need to feel afraid or ashamed. Remove the wall that separates me from your peace, so that I may walk with you in the cool of the garden.
