Genesis 3:13
And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:13
The Lord’s question to Eve—“What is this that thou hast done?”—is the moment of moral reckoning. Eve’s reply—being deceived by the serpent—acknowledges external deceit but still implies personal participation. The dialogue traces the consequences of deception and personal responsibility, highlighting the interplay of intention, influence, and choice.
The verse foregrounds the moral agency within God’s creation: even when misled, humans bear responsibility for choices. It also sets up the paradigm of accountability, judgment, and mercy that threads through Scripture. The serpent’s deception is exposed as the source of the fall, but humanity’s responsibility remains in their actions.
Be mindful of influences and pressures that attempt to steer you away from your convictions. Practice discernment with a community that helps you test lies and holds you to truth. When you’re misled, own your role in the outcome and seek to repair and restore.
Cross-References: John 8:44; James 1:14-15; Romans 1:21-23