Indeed, the lessons from the fall of man are endless. Last week, we discussed a stream of thought about the innovation schemes of the enemy to ensure we disobey God and the power of the Holy Spirit in helping us resist the enemy. You can catch up on last week’s Push Buttons here.
Don’t Hide
One of the clearest lessons from the story of Adam and Eve is this: sin often leads to shame, and shame leads us to hide from God. We see this unfold in Genesis 3:8:
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” — Genesis 3:8
I’ll speak plainly from personal experience. For a long time, I lived in a cycle of sin, not because I didn’t know the truth, but because shame kept me hidden. The more I sinned, the more I withdrew. The further I went, the harder it was to hear God. I used to think sin could never touch me. And when I fell, I didn’t run to God. I pulled away from Him with a twisted sense of pride, thinking I had to clean myself up before coming back into His presence.
Adam and Eve did exactly this. After they sinned, they realized they were naked. Their first instinct wasn’t to call on God; it was to hide. Then they tried to cover their shame with fig leaves, hoping to look more presentable before the One who had created them.
But listen to God’s first question!
“Who told you that you were naked?” — Genesis 3:11
That question still echoes loudly for us today. When you feel unworthy, ashamed, or too dirty to come into God’s presence, ask yourself: Who told you that?
Was it God? Or was it the enemy?
Sometimes I read that verse this way: “Did I tell you that you were naked?” It’s a reminder that any voice that calls you unworthy to return to God is not God’s voice.
So when shame tempts you to run or hide, remember this: God never asked you to fix yourself before coming back to Him. In fact, He’s the One who clothes us. After Adam and Eve’s failed attempt to cover themselves, “the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)
Don’t let shame speak louder than grace. The enemy whispers, “You’ve failed; you’re not worthy.” But God says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — (Romans 8:1)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — (1 John 1:9)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — (Hebrews 4:15–16)
“My dear children, I am writing this so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate who pleads our case before the Father, He is Jesus Christ, who is truly righteous.” — (1 John 2:1)
That verse doesn’t say Jesus is an advocate for sin. It says He is an advocate if we sin. You don’t need to hide. You can’t hide, really; because even in your nakedness, the Holy Spirit is there.
What truly changed me was discovering that I didn’t need to earn my way back to God. It wasn’t about proving myself or achieving moral perfection. It was about learning to depend on Him completely. My righteousness wasn’t what could keep me standing; only His could.
It was in leaning on His grace and listening more closely to the Holy Spirit, rather than the serpent, that I found freedom. I began to sin less, not because I became perfect but because I stayed closer to the One who is.
And now, if I do stumble, I don’t run away — I run to Him.
So if you ever find yourself tempted to hide, let God’s Word guide your steps, not shame. You are still His beloved. You are still covered by Christ.
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” — (Galatians 3:26)
You don’t need fig leaves. You need grace. And grace is found when you stop hiding.
Have a blessed week.
Tade Habib-Hammed
Push Buttons is a weekly devotional of The Powerpoint Tribe.