The Perfect Woman Who Made a Not So Perfect Choice

An excerpt from Moms of the Bible, by Rhonda Stoppe

Note from Monica:

I am so excited to share another amazing excerpt from a favorite book that just released! (I’m doing this each week for the month of April, and if you missed last week’s chat about Mornings (!), you can find it here.)

My friend Rhonda Stoppe is someone I personally look to as a mentor. We have yet to meet in person, but she’s one of the few women I will call to ask for wisdom and prayer! 🥰 I respect her so much! And, she also makes me laugh! I think you’ll enjoy the excerpt from this powerful new book. (It’s not short, but I promise it will bless you!)

Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!

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The Perfect Woman Who Made a Not So Perfect Choice: Eve
Genesis 3 -Excerpt from Chapter 9

If someone offered you the opportunity to become the best possible version of yourself would you take it? Let’s be honest, scrolling through social media, those sponsored clickbait ads offer just that. You know what I mean: Click here to learn how to make more money than you ever dreamed possible…This serum will make you look 10 years younger… Sleep better with this heavenly mattress. And my all time favorite, Drop 10 pounds when you download this new app. As a side note, I’ve downloaded those weight loss apps, and in case you’re wondering, no weight will be lost unless you actually do the exercises the app coaches you to do. Can I get a witness?

When is enough, enough? One mom in the Bible literally had it all. Eve was the mother of all humanity. She was the perfect package. You know how when someone says, “Do you think you’re God’s gift to the world”? Well, Eve could reply with a resounding “yes” because she was literally God’s perfect gift to Adam! How fun for Eve to live each day as the apple of Adam’s eye. He would have loved her deeply––with selfless devotion. Talk about a happily-ever-after love story.

Can you even imagine their euphoric experience as husband and wife? Every day the blissful couple frolicked together without a care in the world. Eve wouldn’t have worried her thighs were too fat for Adam to see her naked. Adam would have been completely attentive when she talked about her day. The best part was how the two looked forward to their evening walks with their Creator. Oh how glorious. What more could they ask for? Life literally could not have been any better for those love birds.

Just a Little Bit More
JD Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, the first billionaire in the United States, and once the riches man on earth. In the 1920’s a reporter asked Rockefeller, “How much money is enough.” To which Rockefeller calmly replied, “Just a little bit more.”

Rockefeller’s response was supposed to be taken as tongue-in-cheek, but the comment profoundly put into words the outlook of many in our society today. Eve’s mindset seems to have been no different when she began to listen to the serpent of old, who drew her gaze away from her countless blessings toward the promise of what life might be like if she had––just a little bit more.

Just one little nibble. One teeny, tiny bite. I mean how bad can it be to take a taste? Oh Eve, if only you knew the far reaching consequences from indulging in the fruit. How awful the ripple effect of her sin. But in the moment, Eve wasn’t thinking about consequences––even though God had clearly laid out what would happen, should they eat of the forbidden fruit: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree ofknowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

In case you are wondering, Eve wasn’t “rumbly in her tumbly” when she contemplated eating the prohibited delicacy. God provided food from every tree in the garden. So, no, we can’t blame her indiscretion upon low blood sugar or a hangry reaction.

Rather, what seduced Eve was the allure to “be like God.” Listen to how the crafty serpent described the benefit of partaking of the tasty morsel. “The serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).

As Satan weaved his lies, Eve gazed at the forbidden fruit. Upon observation Eve didn’t see any appearance of evil. The same is often true in our own battle against unrighteous impulses. Temptation is a strange phenomenon which rarely presents itself as an immoral inclination. Every day urges are often fueled by believing the choice is for our best good. Most of us don’t weigh the pros and cons of sinful actions only to succumb to what we realize is evil. Rather, sin’s enticement is rooted in the belief… choosing the wrong path will be for our greater good––situation ethics at its finest.

As we will see in a moment, Eve allowed herself to be seduced by this greater good thinking and how she acted upon her belief earns Eve the dreaded award of a flawed mom in the Bible. Eve was the mother from whom sin was born into the world. Her failure brought about flawed results which resonated not only through her children but every person born has been impacted by Eve’s rebellious choice.

Truth be known, she had never known evil and never before had she been lied to, so Eve was easily deluded by Satan’s deceptive scheme. (1) Genesis 3:6 explains the account of sin’s entrance into humanity. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…”

The Seductive Scenario
Notice, the order of Eve’s fall. First she listened to Satan’s lies, then she had a conversation with him, where incidentally she misquoted God’s words of warning. When Eve became deceived, she turned her eyes longingly toward the fruit. As Eve gazed, the fruit became a delight to her eyes, and she grew with desire to be made wise like God. It was her longing to be like God which caused Eve to reach out her hand, pluck the fruit from the tree, bring it to her lips and take the damning bite.

The same seductive scenario is true for you and me when temptation begins, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James1:14).

If Eve’s rebellion wasn’t bad enough, she then turned to give Adam a bite. With one nibble spiritual death came upon them. The very Spirit of God, Who had breathed life into them, now left their souls void of His presence and peace. This was a catastrophic choice which passed death upon them and all of their descendants, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

I wonder how long before Eve realized she’d been duped by the devil. The action she had expected to bring “just a little bit more” ended up costing her more than she could even begin to fathom. Can you even imagine the regret Eve must have felt when she realized the effects of her sin?

For the First Time
One minute the couple enjoyed a blissful, carefree life, void of sin and shame. The next moment all hell had literally broken loose in the world as they knew it. Feeling shame for the first time in their lives they covered themselves with fig leaves. For the first time they would have experienced marital discord while blaming each other, the serpent and even God for their sinful choices. This first time experience of Adam passing the buck would have left Eve feeling betrayed and wounded by her spouse (see Genesis 3:12-13).

Imagine being afraid for the first time in their lives. When God came for His daily walk with them they were so fearful they hid from the presence of God who loved them dearly. Of course God knew where and why they were hiding, but He asked them questions to draw them out. “Where are you? Who told you you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree which I commanded you not to eat?

Parenting 101

Have you ever done this with your own kids? When you come to realize they’re hiding from you because they’ve done wrong, do you ask them questions to draw out what they did and why they did it? You would do well to learn from God’s example. This is a great to approach your child when they’ve acted wrongly. Sometimes it feels easier to bark at them, “Oh mister, you’re in so much trouble. You know better than that. Go to your room.” But, God’s way is a path to open dialogue with your child, and an opportunity to help them recognize and acknowledge their sin. This practice can shepherd your child’s heart toward repentance and future obedience.

Even though Adam and Eve deeply regretted their sin, remorse could not reverse the devastating effects of what they had done. God imposed life-altering consequences upon them. In the same way, even if your child expresses regret, asking probing questions will connect your heart to your child’s. And this process can help you discern whether they are displaying remorse over their sin or regret for getting caught––Big difference! Your job is to help them comprehend the difference and come to a place of godly grief leading to repentance. (2)

Your godly discipline should impose age appropriate consequences weighed against the severity of their infraction. In other words, don’t ground your kid for a month if it’s the first time he took a cookie without asking. Instead, consider withholding dessert after dinner. However, if taking a cookie has become a habitual practice pay attention. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to train up their child according to their bent, this practice involves recognizing your child’s propensities and helping them break sinful habits before they become second nature for them.

Dwell in Your Safe Place
Eve’s story truly breaks my heart. How sad I am when I consider all she lost when she fell to temptation. I’m sorrowful for Eve, but I’m also sad for us. Her sinful choice is the catalyst for everything wrong in this world. I hope her story remind you of how vulnerable you are to Satan’s schemes. To deceive you, His promises to give you, your best life now, will be twisted with Scripture. Your safe place is walking near to your Creator, resting in what you know to be true of His character and reaching out for help when you’re tempted to long for just a little bit more.

When your kids notice how important knowing God has become to you, they’ll be inspired them to know Him too––which protects them from believing Satan’s lies. When you draw near to God, He promises to draw near to you (3) . The more time you spend with Him, the more His Spirit will stir longings in you to abide in Him––where you will find safety and satisfaction in the knowledge and delight of God.*

1. 1 Timothy 2:14 “And Adam was not deceived but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.”
2. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
3. James 4:8

*Excerpt Chapter 8:Stoppe, Rhonda: Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed and Faithful (Harvest House Publishers March 10, 2026). To watch FREE videos of the author teaching on each chapter please visit: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/moms-of-the-bible-book/

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Rhonda Stoppe is a transparent, humorous, biblically sound speaker and host of the award-winning podcast Old Ladies Know Stuff. Stoppe is the author of 7 popular books and a trusted voice in the Christian living community. She’s a frequent guest on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk and Focus on the Family. Rhonda has been joyfully married to her pastor-husband, Steve, for 44 years. Their 4 happily married children have blessed them with 15 grandchildren. Connect with Rhonda or invite her to speak at NoRegretsWoman.com.

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I HIGHLY recommend you read all of MOMS OF THE BIBLE — and you can order it on Amazon HERE.

GIVEAWAY!!

Rhonda is also offering to give copies of her book to two of you below!

Comment below and answer either (or both) of the following questions:

1. Which season of Motherhood are you in and what challenge (or lie from the enemy) do you recognize in this season? (it could be busyness, distraction, discontent, exhaustion, or anything else. ❤️)
2. If you have a favorite Mom- Bible character, share who it is and why

*Note: Giveaway only available for residents of the United States (due to shipping.)

I’ll choose two winners and announce them in a week! (on April 22nd!)

Meanwhile order a copy of Moms of the Bible now, (you can gift the giveaway to a friend if you win!) and get reading — you’ll love the whole thing!

With hugs,

Monica