Communications: The Great Divide

by Royce

Scripture: Genesis 3:2-3
“The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’”

Devotional:
In nearly two decades of knowing my wife, and almost twelve years in marriage, our relationship has helped me see how subtle miscommunications can unravel things. When I look at Eve’s conversation with the serpent in Genesis 3, I notice some key details that reveal deeper truths about human relationships, especially between men and women.

First, the word “middle” stands out. In Genesis 2:16-17, when God commands Adam, He says, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” There’s no mention of the tree being in the middle. Yet, Eve mentions the tree’s position in the middle of the garden when she speaks to the serpent. This leads me to think about a common dynamic: positional awareness. In my experience, my wife, like many women, aren’t typically attuned to their exact position in a given context. So, it’s unlikely that Eve knew the tree was located in the middle of the garden, especially considering the vast size of the garden, which was comparable to the modern-day region of Iraq.

Another detail is Eve’s mention of “you must not touch it, or you will die.” God’s command never included not touching the tree. This leads me to believe that Eve likely heard this instruction second-hand from Adam. God spoke directly to Adam in Genesis 2, but by the time the instruction was passed to Eve, something got added, likely by Adam, perhaps in an effort to emphasize the seriousness of the command.

This miscommunication reveals a deeper truth about the different ways men and women tend to process and express things. For Adam, the tree may not have posed a strong temptation—it was simply another tree, and the command not to eat from it seemed clear and straightforward. But for Eve, the situation was more complex. Her curiosity was stirred, especially since the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye (Genesis 3:6). A counselor friend once shared that women often have a natural desire to “want it all,” which could explain Eve’s heightened curiosity. This created an opening for the devil to tempt her.

This is not to point fingers at either Adam or Eve, but to highlight that even before sin entered the world, there was trouble in paradise—trouble in communication. Adam spoke in “male” language, and Eve responded in “female” language. The serpent exploited that gap, leading to the fall of humanity.

Let the story of Adam and Eve remind us to seek first to understand before seeking to be understood. In our relationships, especially between husbands and wives, it’s vital to approach communication with kindness, recognizing that we often process and express things differently. Misunderstandings are inevitable, but rather than jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst, we should aim to clarify, listen, and connect more deeply with one another.

When we seek understanding and approach each other with grace, we protect our relationships from unnecessary conflict. More importantly, we close the door to the enemy, who seeks to divide us and distance us from God. The devil thrives on confusion and miscommunication, just as he did in the Garden. But when we actively pursue peace and clear communication, we build stronger relationships—ones that reflect God’s love and are resilient against the schemes of the enemy.

Let us remember that God designed relationships to be a reflection of His love and harmony. When we communicate with patience and understanding, we not only strengthen our bonds with each other but also draw closer to Him. In doing so, we safeguard our unity and honor God’s design for our lives.

Challenge yourself today: Listen more, seek clarity, and resist the urge to jump to conclusions. Through intentional communication, you foster connection and safeguard your relationships from the subtle attacks that aim to divide. Let your words reflect the love of Christ and bring peace, not conflict.

By seeking understanding, we honor both God and the people He has placed in our lives.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of relationships and the lessons we can learn from Adam and Eve. Help us to navigate the complexities of communication with grace and patience. Give us the wisdom to seek understanding before seeking to be understood. Let our words reflect kindness and love, drawing us closer to one another and to You. May our communication be a reflection of Your truth, spoken in love. Amen.