The Problem of Discontentment

Discontentment with What God Declared

In Genesis 3, we see the first expression of discontentment: a discontentment with what God declared. Satan begins by questioning God's command: "Has God really said, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Eve responds, but her reply reveals a misunderstanding or dissatisfaction with God's generous provision.

Genesis 2:16-17: "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Eve says, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" She omits the liberality—"freely eat of any tree"—and adds "do not touch it," turning abundance into restriction. Amid total freedom to enjoy every tree except one, including the tree of life, her focus narrows to the prohibition.

This reflects discontentment. God gave Adam and Eve lavish provision, yet they fixate on the one forbidden thing, like children ignoring a room full of toys for the one item off-limits. God's restrictions are protective, freeing us to enjoy His goodness without the death that follows disobedience. Discontentment with His declaration unravels life.

Discontentment with What God Desired

Second, there is discontentment with what God desired for them. God provided trees that were "pleasant to the sight and good for food" (Genesis 2:9). These satisfied their senses—visually delightful and nourishing.

Genesis 3:6: "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, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."

Eve applies God's description of His good gifts to the forbidden tree. Satan tempts: "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." She craves what God prohibited, deeming it superior—good for food, delightful to the eyes, desirable for wisdom. This disordered desire rejects God's provision for something illusory.

Discontentment convinces us we're missing out, but it only breeds more discontentment. Like an unfaithful spouse chasing novelty, it promises satisfaction but delivers craving. The grass is never greener; sin perverts God's good design.

Discontentment with Their New Dwelling

Third, their pursuit led to discontentment with their new reality. After eating:

Genesis 3:7-8: "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."

Far from enlightenment, they gain shame, fear, and separation from God. What they craved proved deadly: the "food" brought death, the "delight" shame, the "wisdom" mere covering for nakedness. From unashamed rulers in paradise, they become hiding fugitives. Satan lied; discontentment escalated their misery, leading to expulsion from the garden.

Discontentment spirals, demanding more to fill the void, but it paths to death. Adam and Eve's story warns: rejecting God's way worsens everything.

Avoiding Discontentment

To combat discontentment:

1. Fix Your Eyes on Christ

Discontentment thrives on misplaced focus. Keep eyes on Jesus and the gospel—your heavenly citizenship and imperishable inheritance. When Christ is supremely valuable, earthly things lose appeal.

2. Reorient Your Desires to God

Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Make God your delight. Godly desires align with His will, which He fulfills completely. Satisfaction in Him endures afflictions with joy.

3. Repent

Turn from sin immediately. Repentance frees you to enjoy God's restrictions and goodness, without finishing the path to destruction.

4. Cry Out

Cry to God and His people for help. Like David in Psalm 13, pour out your heart—He hears and comforts.

5. Complain—Godly

Express pain honestly to God and believers, as Job and the psalmist did. This isn't rebellion but communication, inviting the body to support you. God listens; sharing prevents isolation in discontentment.