1 Timothy 2:14
He was listening to the serpent's devilish cunning to deceive his wife. He heard how Eve misquoted the command of God. He even watched her as she began looking at the forbidden tree, as she began taking her first steps towards it, even as she began taking her first bite—he was there the whole time yet he remained silent when he should've spoken.
He could have turned to Eve and said, "Honey, this snake is up to no good! He's trying to make you think that you can gain more satisfaction from disobeying God rather than by remaining faithful to him. Take a look around us, sweetheart! This is Paradise—God made it and gave it all to us. We have no reason to doubt his goodness." Then, perhaps turning to the serpent, "Snake, get lost! This conversation is over!"
But it never happened. He just stood there, possibly afraid, and didn't say a word. Adam failed to exhibit headship. And ever since Adam, every man has inherited this same inclination to remain silent—the cowardice to let faithfulness slip rather than to uphold God's word.
But Jesus bears a different image. He is the man who did not hesitate but called out against sin—even in the face of his own temptation. He is the man of strength, of holiness and of faithfulness. He is the man we were created to be, but never were. Yet he is the man we are becoming.
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Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Adapted from The Silence of Adam by Larry Crabb.
