God gives Adam some instructions on the care of creation and his role in the unfolding story. It’s pretty basic, and very generous (see Genesis 2:16-17). But notice what God doesn’t tell Adam. There is no warning or instruction over what is about to occur: the Temptation of Eve. This is just staggering. Notably missing from the dialogue between Adam and God is something like this: “Adam, one more thing. A week from Tuesday, about four in the afternoon, you and Eve are going to be down in the orchard and something dangerous is going to happen. Adam, are you listening? The eternal destiny of the human race hangs on this moment. Now, here’s what I want you to do . . .” He doesn’t tell him. He doesn’t even mention it, so far as we know. Good grief—why not?! Because God believes in Adam.

This is what he’s designed to do—to come through in a pinch. Adam doesn’t need play-by-play instructions because this is what Adam is for. It’s already there, everything he needs, in his design, in his heart. Needless to say, the story doesn’t go well. Adam fails; he fails Eve and the rest of humanity. Let me ask you a question: Where is Adam, while the serpent is tempting Eve? He’s standing right there: “She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too” (Genesis 3:6 NLT). The Hebrew for “with her” means right there, elbow to elbow. Adam isn’t away in another part of the forest; he has no alibi. He is standing right there, watching the whole thing unravel. What does he do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He says not a word, doesn’t lift a finger.

Adam, the first real man—did absolutely nothing and became paralyzed. He denied his very nature and chose the path of passivity. Here is the rub guys, everyone of us carries in his heart the same failure. We repeat the sin of Adam, every day. We won’t take risk, we won’t stand up and fight, and guys we won’t even rescue Eve. We are a chip off the old block!

Remember the scene from Back To The Future where Marty (who travels back in time and interferes with his mom and dad from meeting for the first time) attempts to set George McFly (his dad) up with Lorraine (his mom). To make his parents fall in love, Marty plans to have George “rescue” Lorraine from Marty’s inappropriate advances the night of the school dance. Their plan takes a turn for the worse when Biff (school bully) shows up drunk. Biff unexpectedly steps into the scene, pulls Marty from the car, and attempts to force himself on Lorraine. George arrives to “rescue” Lorraine from Marty, but to his surprise finds Biff, who humiliates George and pushes Lorraine to the ground.

The moment of truth…does George walk away and let Lorraine get mistreated by Biff or does he stand up to him? Remember, George had been a victim of Biff’s bullying almost on a daily basis. Well…George almost walks away leaving Lorraine to the brutal advances of Biff.

Can you relate?

Why do we do this?

Back to the story…standing up to Biff for the first time, George finds the courage and knocks him out with a single punch. A now enamored Lorraine forgets about Marty, goes with George to the dance, where they kiss for the first time, ensuring that they get together to become Marty’s parents.

Reject passivity and live courageously from your heart!

Guys, will you rise up and fight for your wife? for your kids? for your family for a stranger? for God? …or will you sit back, do nothing and choose the path of passivity just like Adam did?