The story of the fall (Genesis 3) contains so many interesting insights about our fallen nature and about how we are tempted.
In simple terms, temptation to sin is about taking something good that God created and perverting it. Free will is a God created gift. The temptation was to push that free will beyond its intended purpose and it became pride – seeking to be independent from our Creator.
Also note that part of Satan’s temptation was to question the motive of God, that is claiming that God didn’t really have our best interest in mind.
And then after the fall we are left with the devastating consequences. Free will has been perverted to pride. And for the first time, mankind experienced fear, shame, and guilt.
To this day the enemy seeks to keep us from enjoying God’s Grace and Presence using these tools:
pride,
guilt,
fear, and
shame.
He also continues to try to get us to doubt that God is really for us.
All this is to make the point that all these things (and more) were addressed at the cross.
When we hear in our heads, words of self-condemnation, shame, accusations, fear, questioning God’s purpose for us (doubt), etc … we need to return to the truth of the Gospel.
The enemy would love to keep us burdened with what has been addressed at the cross.
Our task is to take captive these thoughts, that is identify our self-talk that comes from leftovers of our fallen nature—listen for tone and the words of fear, pride, shame, guilt, doubting God’s motive. Set your mind on things above, letting go of remnants of our fallen nature.
Scripture for reassurance.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1.
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love. 1 John 4:16-18
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:31-34