Temptation entices us like an irresistible dessert promising delight and satisfaction. Only after succumbing to the temptation do we realize that our immediate desires were only temporarily satisfied, yet the long term affects come with a price. Regret or shame may follow such indulgences. Remorse then motivates us to quickly cover up our poor choices. Our efforts to cover up our actions never fully remedy the situation.

Adam and Eve suffered the same temptation in the garden. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil their eyes were opened and they saw that is they were naked. They quickly covered themselves with loincloths made from fig leaves. (Genesis 3:7) 

Shame that comes from sin

When Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden, they hid themselves from him. Yet God sought them out, calling to Adam “Where are you?” In their shame, Adam blamed Eve for their transgression and Eve blamed the serpent. From their disobedience, life became harder for all mankind. The tending of the earth became difficult, child-bearing would include pain, and mankind would return to the ground as dust through physical death. (vs14-19) Only God could set right the wrong that had been done through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. 

God still pursued a relationship with Adam and Eve despite their sin. He prevented them from eating of the Tree of Life by removing them from the garden so that they wouldn’t remain in a state of sin for eternity. God also gave them a promise of future redemption from their sin (v15) and then provided for their immediate need of adequate clothing. What Adam and Eve could not do, God did in and through His persistent and steadfast love for them (v21).

The contrast between Adam and Eve’s efforts to clothe themselves and the garments God made for them illustrates so well the abundant love and provision of God! At best, Adam and Eve made their coverings without lasting thought, of temporary material, only covering the most intimate parts of their bodies – fig leaves tacked together for loin clothes. But God made durable garments for them – tunics covering their whole body crafted from long-lasting animal skins. 

A long-lasting, full-coverage solution

Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness, our efforts to cover our sin and shame will never be enough. But God’s provision for our transgressions is complete. God sent Jesus into the world – to live, to die for our transgressions, and to rise again – in order to provide the means by which each of us may be reconciled to God. (John 3:16) When we put our trust in Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are covered with his righteousness. (1 Peter 2: 24)

Resist the temptation cover up your transgressions by your own strength. God has provided a long-lasting, full-coverage solution. Confess your sins and place your trust in Jesus’ death on the cross. Receive God’s perfect and complete provision through Jesus and be reconciled to him. 

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Romans 4:7-8)