Eve's smaller narrative is one of feeling inadequate. The larger narrative, however, defines her as Adam's wife—a helper, a life-bearer, and a builder of the home.

The trouble began the moment she shifted her focus from this divine role to her own ego and self-image. By doing so, she opened a door to trouble for herself and for the world. Yet, it was not simply caring about her image that was the root cause; it was the rebellion and disobedience that this self-focus unleashed.

This tension remains today. Most people either care too much about their image, to the point of becoming heartless, or they care too little, to the point of self-sabotage.

We live in a transactional world. The balance, then, is to care for your image enough to avoid pleading against yourself, but not so much that you become heartless.

In this, we are called to be “as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Be shrewd in maintaining your integrity in this world, but remain innocent in your unwavering faithfulness to Yeshua.