There are some things in life that perhaps will always remain a mystery. For instance, the same child that was once more satisfied with the box a toy came in than the actual toy will one day desire toys that no longer come in boxes. But, what caused him to become dissatisfied with the box that he once found satisfactory?
What stirs dissatisfaction in us?
One of the earliest lessons in dissatisfaction can be found near the beginning of creation. The Bible teaches us that God created Adam and Eve and placed them in a beautiful garden with many wonderful pleasures to enjoy. God allowed Adam and Eve to eat from any tree in the entire garden, with one exception. Genesis 3:1 tells us that Satan tried to deceive Eve concerning this tree by asking her, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The enemy will try to get us to move from a position of contentment by tempting us to consider what we don’t have, moving our focus away from all that God has provided. Rather than remaining focused on all God had given her to enjoy, Eve was tempted to consider the one thing that God designated as off-limits to her.
Are you easily tempted to become dissatisfied in certain areas of your life? Asking God to enable you to focus on His best may be helpful whenever you’re tempted to give in to dissatisfaction.
In Genesis 3:2-5 Eve’s words prove that she doesn’t have personal knowledge of the specific instructions God gave concerning the tree as she further entertains the enemy’s suggestions, rather than relying on God’s absolute truth. Without personal knowledge of God’s Word, we too may succumb to the enemy’s ploys. Rather than standing on truth, we can easily fall into temptation.
Later, Genesis 3:6a records Eve’s response to the one exempt tree: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.
Relying on our senses in moments of temptation can become a slippery slope leading to dissatisfaction and eventual sin. Notice that Eve was enticed by what the enemy told her and moved by what she saw; she desired to have the fruit and wanted to taste it. At the end of the slippery slope she took the fruit and ate it.
Discontentment occurs when we try to meet our desires in ways other than God’s perfect provision, and usually begins with misplaced focus. In this example, Eve quickly became distracted and then failed to refocus her attention on God’s command. In doing so she pursued momentary pleasure rather than long-term satisfaction found in trusting the Lord.
Are you aware of things that may easily divert your focus away from Christ? In what ways are you safeguarding your life against those temptations?
Parents, are you aware of your child’s areas of temptation? Are you training your children to find complete satisfaction in Christ? (Psalm 103:1-5)
Photo courtesy michaelaw.