Are you aware of Satan’s strategy? Satan is prowling about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The book of Genesis reveals how Satan introduced sin into the world. God created a beautiful environment, but lurking in the shadows was the serpent who was the mouthpiece of Satan:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

Satan’s first step was to cause Eve to doubt God’s word. God had told Adam and Eve that they could eat freely from any tree in the garden except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). Satan seeks to have us focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have.

The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” (Genesis 3:2-3)

Eve’s response was inaccurate. She omitted the word freely by not recognizing God’s magnanimous provision. She added to God’s word by inserting her warning about touching the tree. Finally, she left out God’s emphasis that you will surely die! We must not put a question mark where God has put a period. Satan then blatantly denied God’s word:

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 3:4-5)

Satan insinuated that God was withholding His goodness from them. This is a major strategy of Satan, he wants you to doubt God’s goodness. When you’re facing a challenging situation, if Satan can cause you to doubt God’s concern for you, then you may lose your greatest resource which is God. Eve chose to listen to the serpent rather than believe God’s word. How many times do we listen to the voice of the enemy, rather than obeying God’s word?

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. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. (Genesis 3:6-7)

When Adam ate the fruit the fall of mankind occurred. We must realize that God accomplishes His will through truth, whereas Satan accomplishes his purposes through lies and deception.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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