You thought that the character in the book you were reading or movie you were watching was a good character, one who was kind and helpful to the other characters. A good guy. Then after a while you are surprised to discover that he was really an evil one. Though he appeared good, he was really out to harm and bring down the main, good character. He was not as he first appeared to be. We often find characters like that in our real lives, as well. In our Scripture passage for today we will see the first, the original evil character, who also came to his victims seemingly to appear as a good, kind, and helpful character, only to ultimately bare his fangs. Let’s look at this very familiar account.
As our passage opens, we find Eve in the Garden of Eden, where she encounters Satan in the guise of a serpent. Satan has hated mankind from the moment of our creation, and he did not waste any time in his attempt to bring us down. Satan is very cunning and deceitful. He did not appear as he really is, an evil, murderous liar, but instead as someone caring and kind. In an attempt to appear as a kind friend, he cast doubt on God’s Word and on His goodness (vs. 1). He implied that though God may call Himself their friend, God really didn’t have their best interests at heart, while he, the serpent, truly did. He implied that he really knew what was going on, and as her friend, he would tell her. Satan made Eve doubt what God had really said. Satan appeared as an “angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14), someone good, who would tell her “the truth”.
Satan implied that God was strict, stingy, and selfish. By doing this, Eve forgot all that God had given to her and Adam. Now she was focusing on the one thing that she couldn’t have. We fall into that trap too, focusing on what we don’t have, rather than seeing and being grateful for all that God has given us.
One of Eve’s big mistakes was that she didn’t know God’s Word accurately. She responded to Satan’s question by inaccurately stating God’s command (vs. 3). God had said that they were not to eat of the tree of knowledge, but said nothing against touching it (Genesis 2:16-17). It is important to know God’s Word, and know it accurately. Satan then said something that he and his children have been saying ever since. He outright denied the truth of the Word of God (vs. 4). He said that God’s Word was a lie. Satan and the enemies of God have been calling the Bible false and a lie ever since, trying to get people to doubt and disregard it.
As Eve looked at the fruit (vs. 6), she saw that it looked pleasant, which is the lust of the eyes. She saw that it was good for food, the lust of the flesh, and that it would make her wise, the pride of life (I John 2:16). Sin often initially appears good, pleasant, and desirable. But in the end it is just the opposite. Eve’s sin was not overt rebellion. She believed the lie of Satan and thought she had misunderstood God. She was seduced and deceived (II Corinthians 11:3; I Timothy 2:14). Adam’s sin was a direct transgression without deception.
Shame, guilt and fear caused Adam and Eve to hide. Yet God knew where they were and why (vs. 8-9). There is no place we can hide from Him (Hebrews 4:13). He was calling them to come forth. God does not wait for man to come to Him. No, instead He sought Adam and Eve out and came to them.
In verse 15 we read the very first prophecy of the Messiah. The “He” is the Lord Jesus. Satan used the woman to bring down the human race. God would use a woman to bring the Redeemer into the world. Satan can only bruise His heel, bring Him suffering. Jesus will bruise his head, deal Satan a fatal blow. This prophecy also tells of the struggle between Satan and his seed, all unbelievers (John 8:44), and Jesus and His children, all believers.
Adam and Eve’s disobedience and fall affected all of creation (vs. 17-19). We reap what we sow, more than we sow, and even long after we sow. All actions have consequences, and Adam and Eve’s actions brought sin, separation and death. Yet God had an answer for them. Heaven’s answer to a thorny existence is a thorn-crowned Savior.
Satan’s words were filled with evil venom as deadly as any poisonous snake. He is a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). His lies always promise great benefits, but at what cost?
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