Sin is always bittersweet. It never delivers what it promises. So why do we continue to choose such destructive steps over and over again?
The account of man’s fall into sin in Genesis, Chapter 3, is about you and me. The chapter outlines, in bold relief, how our mortal Enemy tempts and destroys us. What could be more vital to understand as you begin this year? These verses are recorded so that we can become wise to his ways and stay one step ahead of his schemes.
If you are to overcome his methods, you must understand the Enemy’s foundational character: he is a liar. Jesus proclaimed that he is a “liar and the father of all lies.” As opposed to God, who is truth (all truth comes from Him) and is perfect in truthfulness, Satan is everything in evil that God is not. Notice how his temptations to you spring from his deceptive character.
HE LIES ABOUT GOD
“God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:3-5)
Satan’s first attack was not upon the activity of sin but the character of God. “God is a liar,” Satan proclaimed. “He’s holding out on you, deceiving you about the nature of this step I’m inviting you to take.”
If you naively believe the lie that God is not good, you will not listen to God, trust God, nor obey God. Thus deceived, you are an easy target for specific temptations.
HE LIES ABOUT SIN
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 desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)
Notice the progression of his temptation to Eve. He convinced her that this sin was ...
Have you ever heard that voice? Had those thoughts about a particular step? But here was the reality: It was not good for her; it was bad. It was not ultimately delightful to her; it was devastating. It was not desirable; it was destructive. But she believed his lies, and so did her husband. And that indulging cost them everything and affected us all.
HIS LIES TODAY
Satan has not changed his methods and schemes. You will be tempted to disobey God today. Satan does not want you trusting God and obeying Him for, as you do, God’s kingdom will be advanced, and God will be seen for the wise, loving God that He is.
Your Enemy will try to make you believe that God is not trustworthy, that He is holding out on you. And then he will paint the particular sin as not only good but delightful. Not only delightful but desirable. And if you fail to resist his thoughts at the onset, you will give him space in your head … and the battle is lost.
Resist him today. Don’t be naïve about his schemes and let him pull you into his deception. Announce the truth to him (just as Jesus did while being tempted) and resist the Devil, firm in your faith. And do it at the beginning, not the end. If you resist him, he MUST flee from you (Ephesians 6:11-13; James 5:7). He may return, but the winning of each battle strengthens you and makes you wiser with each encounter.
Father, thank You that I have all I need to win against the Devil’s temptations today. As a believer in Jesus, Your Spirit lives in me, and Your truth is available to me. Give me the wisdom to wisely understand his schemes and resist them with firm faith. Bring Scripture to my mind to help me resist the Devil, not at the end of his game, but the beginning, and the perseverance to keep resisting.
