When Eve offered Adam the fruit that God had expressively forbidden, she put Adam on the spot.

To do what she asked Adam would have to disdain God’s love, and God’s word. Now don’t take this lightly. Remember that God had created Adam to be a ruler and God had given him authority over all the earth. God provided Adam with every good thing on earth, even Eve herself.

In the act of eating the fruit, Adam quite simply, put his love for Eve above righteousness, above being right with God. Adam willfully took the side of Eve but lost his integrity in the process.

Who’s to say what would have happened if Adam had not taken side with Eve against God. What if he had trusted God more? Bold enough to say to Eve…

“Wait a moment, this is wrong. What you are asking is wrong. But I also know that our Father God can fix if we go to him and tell him we have done this wrong thing, I know that He will still be able to work out thing every for our good. Don’t you know how much he loves us? I love you too and I will not leave your nor forsake you. But this will be the right way to do it. We can trust him.”

Have you been in a situation when someone close to you puts you on the spot over an issue and you have to choose sides? It’s really high pressured.

But do you know that usually when you are put on the spot like that such a test does not decide love; loyalty, duty etc. as much as it decides integrity.

What’s the oldest line in the world? Man to Woman: If you love me, you will let me make love to you.

Husband to Wife: Why you like that? After all I have done for you! After all I am your husband. You should do it for me! Let me have my girlfriends. Don’t make me lose my temper and I won’t beat you.

Between Friends: Okay lah, if you’re like that, I won’t friend you. You cannot come and hang out with me anymore if you won’t follow my rules.

Boss to Staff: Don’t you want to have the sale? If you want the deal are you prepared to do all it takes?

Behaving with integrity and being right with God seems like the harder thing to do. Going along with the flow seems to take less energy and effort.

It takes courage to stand up for God.

The funny thing with God is that when you have the courage to stand by his word and his promises, He says He will strengthen your heart, your innermost being. It’s funny, because most of us think that we need strength to be able to stand up for Him.

But look at Psalms 27:14. The Lord says, Wait on me: be of good courage, and I shall strengthen you heart: Wait on me, says the Lord.

Interestingly courage is not equated with strength. In fact God says, “If you will be courageous, I will strengthen your heart, your inner most being.”

It’s not that the brave man has no fear. All of us have fears and worries. Being courageous means overcoming your fears and worries.

Better to be courageous than fearful and worrisome. What does your fears or worries do for you? It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but it empties today of its strength. It does not make you escape the evil; it makes you unfit to cope with it when it comes.

And waiting on God is the key to having courage. Putting your hopes on God: Counting on him to show up; to deliver; to bring heaven to earth; trusting that he will work in every situation for your good.

So in the year ahead, do be afraid to take risks. Do not be afraid to make decisions, which demonstrate that your hope is in the Lord; your love for him is above all.

He will surely show up for you.

And while you are waiting, enjoy your life. Realize that some pain accompanies growth, and you are being strengthened and equipped to do the work that God has prepared in advance for you to do. This is God’s will for you.