Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
In this passage of scripture we see that the devil never said anything to Adam, but rather used Eve as the agent in causing his fall. Whatever took place in Adam's mind, it seems as if Eve's beauty played a pivotal role in swaying his decision in the wrong direction, for the Bible tells us that they were both very beautiful when God first created them, and that Adam was not deceived when the fall took place. Let's read:
1st Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Men are thus generally gullible to what they see, and from the time of Adam's fall to the present day, many men continue to stumble through the sense of sight. The lusting after external beauty in its various forms is what caused David to fall, it caused Solomon to depart from God, it caused Samson to die before his time, it caused the strife between the four wives of Jacob. and it is partly responsible for the current feuds between Israeli's and Palestinians today. Throughout history, both secular and godly men have fallen on this singular point, and it is one of the reasons why God brought a flood upon the world. Let's read:
Genesis 6:And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
The seriousness of the problem is hardly understood by most women and men, for in many cases of infidelity, a man often does that which is obviously senseless, in defiance of good reasoning and sound judgment. In the case of Samson for instance, Delilah made it abundantly clear that she was actively seeking his destruction, but Samson seemed as if bewitched by her beauty, and by his own choice, was thereby rendered powerless to escape the snare that was laid for his feet. And Solomon who became deeply entangled in the sin of adultery by lusting after feminine beauty, penned the following passages of scripture, which should be viewed as a beacon of warning to all men. Let's read:
Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Proverbs 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Part of the collateral damage done by yielding to the charms of external beauty in the context of adultery, is that the reproach that it brings continues to linger on, long after the novelty of the moment has passed. This is what we are seeing today in the resurgence of the saga of Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton, a former President of the United States. After the initial embarrassment and media frenzy over the adulterous affair had died down, public acknowledgement of guilt, and repentance and apologies were made in the hopes of permanently laying the issue to rest.
But seventeen years later it has again resurfaced, to reopen old wounds and to haunt the aging president with the stings of remorse. This collateral damage is referred to in the Bible, and it should act as an inhibitor to those of us who are vulnerable on this point. Let's read:
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
In our day it has become very popular for married men to have a "Mistress" or mistresses, and so many prominent politicians and clergymen have fallen on this singular point that we are now faced with a moral epidemic of unprecedented proportions. God and God alone is able to keep us from falling, and we are cautioned in the Bible not to neglect prayer and a study of God's word, so that our minds can be infused with sacred thoughts, ideas, aspirations and sentiments.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should encourage us to trust in The Lord and the power of His might to keep us from the many temptations with which we are bombarded from without and within. Let's read:
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
As we approach father's day, let us remember that God is able to keep us from falling, and let us not be ashamed or hesitant to ask for help in time of need, for God is faithful who has promised us the victory. God bless!