NAKED BEHIND THE TREES

It didn't take long before they realized what had happened after they had their first bite. 

"I'm naked, I don't want anyone especially God to see me like this. He may condemn, criticize or judge me."

Those were probably the thoughts of Adam and his wife after they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. 

Upon realization of their nakedness, their instinct quickly suggested they sew fig leaves together to cover themselves up. And as if that wasn't enough, they hid themselves behind the trees in fear and hunger for security, hoping the trunk of the trees and leaves would give the proper covering they wanted. 

"...and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8).

In that state of guilt, many are like Adam and Eve. They hide behind trees as a result of their nakedness well known to them.

Now, let's look at the significance of NAKEDNESS and TREES.

NAKEDNESS in this context signifies SIN. When you sin against God, there's this shame and guilt that engulfs you; the feeling nakedness in public gives to a person.

THE TREES on the other hand, signifies concealing your sins rather than confessing it. It is the obstacle between you and God and you trying to hide from God because you feel you can't receive forgiveness from Him.

Satan's greatest lie to victims of addicted, sinful lives is that God will never accept them naked (in their sins) and the trees are the best place to find solace. 

But No!

The trees is the corner the devil wants you (pinned at a spot). It stands in between your fellowship with God. It only makes you more miserable, afraid, lack security and confidence and blocks you from God's presence. That's why people suffering from guilt are always frustrated. They get so engrossed in their past sins that they loose sight of the beauty of their present and future.

The trees may look like a shield, but it's only a shield from God's presence (where you're supposed to find mercy and comfort). That was why God was looking for Adam and Eve in the garden. (Genesis 3:9).

The trees were obstacles which kept them from making peace with God.

Stop concealing your sins. You may have done it over and over again but still go to Him as much. You are to go towards the throne of grace to obtain mercy, not away from it. 

You might say, "what's the use? The addiction will cause me to go back to my sins." That's all the more reason you should go towards the throne of grace; to obtain MERCY and HELP at this point where you can't help yourself. (Hebrews 4:16).

He'll forgive you, cleanse you and clothe you again.

Now, THE CLOTHING PART...

If you read same chapter of Genesis, you'd notice the couples sewed leaves to cover up themselves after realizing they were naked. The fig leaves represent SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS; the vain human efforts put in to live righteous.

"...and they knew that they were naked, and they sew fig leaves together and made themselves coverings." (Genesis 3:7b).

Trying to cover up their nakedness (sins) with some righteous acts.

But guess what?

It was a different story when God showed up. He didn't just leave them. He looked at the fig leaves and saw how inferior and unqualified it was to totally give them that covering that will make them comfortable and secure and at the same time, perfect in His eyes. So, He made another covering.

"Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them". (Genesis 3: 21).

Hmm! Quality clothing!

You can't compare fig leaves to tunics of skin. It's like comparing sack clothes to silk fabric in our present day. Secondly, the fig leaves couldn't cover them properly but tunics covered everything. How wonderful!

The tunics of skin here represents THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. Just as He made that peculiar clothing and clothed them, the Lord has endued you with His righteousness (when you are in Christ and will clothe you when you come to Christ). (2 Corinthians 5:21)

You see why it's never by your power to live the kind of life God wants. God has high taste and standards. And because you can't offer yourself that, He comes to help by offering it to you.

Walk with that understanding as a believer that you're the righteousness of God even if you have addictions.

Stop trying to be righteous because your righteousness is very inferior to God's. He can't accept it. Allow Him help you through His spirit (the Helper) in you as He manifest His fruits in your life. They're all in your spirit man.

Just keep living the righteous life already activated in you and maintain it. (Colossians 3:12-14).

Take this caution as I round off;

When a temptation from the devil comes at you, never give it a second thought. You doing that means you're reasoning with the devil.

Jesus overcame Satan's temptation by rebuking him immediately with the Word of God not trying to reason with him. (Matthew 4:1-10).

And lastly dearly beloved, it's about time you leave that tree (obstacle keeping you from Jesus) and run to Jesus. Stop trying to look for covering (establishing your own righteousness) as substitute for Christ Jesus. Look for Jesus first.

As my mentor once said, "when you sin, it was against God not the devil. So, run to God because it is better you run to Him and recieve mercy than stay perpetually down and frustrated in the hands of the devil.

Recieve boldness to go before the throne of grace for mercy and help, in Jesus Name.

Surrender your life to Jesus if you haven't because it is only in Jesus you will find mercy, compassion, love, grace, divine security... what the devil can't afford to give you.

God bless you.