Fruit when eaten sustains life, yet a simple bite can lead to something much different.

In Grimm’s fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the beautiful princess, Snow White lives with her evil stepmother, the Queen. Though treated like a scullery maid, Snow White performs her duties with a song. Sweet, innocent, and beautiful, she captures the heart of a handsome prince. Fearing Snow White’s beauty outshines her own, the Queen orders her death. Being urged by the Queen’s Huntsman to flee into the forest, the woodland animals lead Snow White to a hidden cottage.

Finding refuge in the cottage, Snow White spends the day cleaning and cooking. Arriving home, the Seven Dwarves are surprised by the changes to their home. With a delicious meal, the Seven Dwarves quickly take Snow White in as their own. During the day as she keeps house, they mine for jewels, then enjoy singing and dancing in the evening hours.

Discovering she is alive, the Queen disguises herself as a peddler, making her way to Snow White’s door. Though the woodland animals try to warn her, Snow White takes that fateful bite of a poisoned apple and falls to the floor. Placed inside a glass coffin in the woods, Snow White lays eternally sleeping.

Deception led another woman to take a simple bite of fruit, but this bite led to eternal death.

After God created the world, He created man. Adam was created from the dust of the ground – in God’s very image. In all that was created, there was not a suitable companion for him. He was alone, so God created Eve from a rib taken from Adam’s very side. Eve, also created in the image of God, yet different from Adam. They complimented one another. What one lacked the other would provide. They shared life together and spent time knowing God. Yet one bite changed it all.

As Eve walked amidst the trees in the garden, she was approached by the serpent. He was crafty and subtle in his actions. Talking with Eve, he caused her to question God’s words. Planting doubt in her mind, he turned her focus to negative thoughts rather than the goodness of God. Satan, the serpent, presented God’s words as prohibiting rather than protecting and providing. Eve forgot who she knew God to be and believing the deceit of the serpent took that fateful bite, offering the fruit to Adam. His bite led to eternal death, banishment from the garden, and the need for a way back to God.

While deception led each of these women to take a fateful bite of fruit, they are no different than we are. Maybe women can be easily deceived because of their nurturing nature. Women are more emotional and tender-hearted. They are trusting and process differently from men, but we can all be easily deceived and must all be ready.

Described in John 8:44, Satan “was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

To know we are being deceived, we must stand in the truth of God’s Word.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:7-12

The Bible, God’s very words, are powerful. Allowing His truth to guide you will bring you life, give you wisdom, bring joy, insight, and the ability to live a life that honors Him. His Words are true, giving you the ability to see through deception and lead you to Him.

Both women were deceived. Both faced an eternity without life. While a simple kiss from the Prince awakened Snow White from eternal sleep, a great sacrifice by God’s Son would provide eternal life for all who will believe. Do not be deceived. Be awakened to God’s truth and let it guide your life each day.