GOD’S TRUTH VS. SATAN’S LIE
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”’?” Genesis 3:1, ESV
Theme: We are tempted to question God’s good plans. This leads to sin and death.
IMPOSTERS
When I was a kid, there was a popular TV show called “To Tell the Truth.” Three people claimed the same identity but of course two were imposters. A panel of celebrities were given details of something special about the true guest and proceeded to ask each of those three people questions to determine which was the real person. The two imposters gave answers in an attempt to deceive the panel and trick them into identifying incorrectly. At the end of the show, the host would ask the real person to stand up, surprising the panel and the audience about who was the real person and who were imposters.
LIE’S DANGER
When you read Genesis 3:1-7, you can follow all the deceitful crafty tactics that the serpent (represents Satan - Revelations 12:9) uses to tempt Eve to disobey God’s one and only “do-not-do” rule, given to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. They were told not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they would die.
First, Satan sows a seed of doubt about what God really said (3:1). Second, he calls God a liar (3:4), and lastly, he tells Eve that God is holding back something good that she should have which is to be her own god. In other words, she can decide what is good and evil for herself instead of living in truth and dependent on her Creator as she was created to be (3:6). She took and ate and gave some to Adam.
ENGAGING THE LIE
Eve’s first mistake was getting into a conversation with the serpent in the first place (James 4:7). The second was not knowing or forgetting God’s Word (Psalms 119:11). The third was using her own limited reasoning instead of trusting God’s complete knowledge. She saw the fruit as food. What could possibly be so wrong with eating good food? The fruit’s beauty gave her a feeling of delight, increasing her desire to eat and be satisfied. And finally, who would not want to gain wisdom? Surely God was mistaken and would not want to withhold such wonderful things from Eve. She and Adam, who by the way failed to lead his wife, disobeyed because their hearts desired something more than God Himself – independent self-sufficiency. Independence from God the Creator and Sustainer brings death to the creatures who are, in truth, dependent on Him (Colossians 1:17).
REDEMPTION FROM THE LIE
But death doesn’t have the last word. God had a plan to redeem His creation. He sent his son, Jesus, to do what we as humans could never do. He lived a perfect life of obedience to God’s plan, laws, and truth. He resisted temptation by refuting Satan’s every lie with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). His obedience is now our obedience through faith (2 Corinthians 5:21). Though Adam failed to obey God in the garden bringing death, Jesus later obeyed in a different garden – the garden of Gethsemane – and submitted to God’s plan. He died and rose to life so that now death, though present still in this age, will be completely defeated in the age to come. That is our hope.
Make It Personal: What lies do you believe that cause you to doubt God’s goodness? Can you recognize the imposter, Satan, and his lies? Jesus claimed to be the bread (source) of life, and some of His followers left because they could not accept the truth about Him (John 6). Peter did not leave, saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68 NIV). Lies of forbidden fruit or true bread of life – whose words will you choose to believe today?
Pray: Father God, I praise You that in Your wisdom You made a plan to redeem us from eternal death though faith in Jesus. Please show me where I am believing lies so that I can live in truth and accept Your plan for my life. Amen.
Read: Genesis 3:1-7; James 4:7-10; Psalms 119:11; Isaiah 5:20-21; John 14: 6; Colossians 1:15-17; I Corinthians 5:21
Weekly Memory Verse: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15, ESV