He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked.
- Genesis 3:10-11
We all stumble and make mistakes—it's simply part of being human. Sometimes, these missteps or the way we see ourselves are shaped by information that isn’t quite right. Maybe what we’ve heard was never true to begin with, or perhaps it was true but used in a way that didn’t serve us well. That’s why it’s so important to pause, reflect, and gently question where our beliefs and ideas come from - especially about ourselves.
Adam’s story reminds us how easily we can be led astray when our sources aren’t trustworthy. He was given information meant to deceive him and pull him away from what mattered most. While it was true that Adam was naked, the meaning behind that truth was twisted and used against him. This gentle caution encourages us to look deeper, to consider not just the facts we hear, but also the intentions and context behind them. By doing so, we can better protect our hearts and stay connected to what is good and true.
God knew that Adam was naked before Adam knew it. It was Adam's understanding of his nakedness which changed, all due to an erroneous source. Adam now views his nakedness as a problem and so he hides, or at least thinks he’s hiding. Sin or shame always lead to hiding.
Where did you get your information about you? Who told you you were the way you are? Are you more than your experiences and your past? Where is the sin that has impacted your life? To what extent are you in hiding?
Where did you get your information about you? Who told you you were the way you are? Are you more than your experiences and your past? Where is the sin that has impacted your life? To what extent are you in hiding?
Because Adam’s view of his nakedness has changed, he is internally shamed and fearful. Now, his understanding of God is skewed and instead of “walking with God in the cool of the day”, Adam is afraid of Him. He is unable to resolve his inner issue because he is hiding from the solution - God Himself. He listened to the wrong source.
Who are you listening to about you?
Verify your source.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly." - Psalm 1:1