The record of Genesis 3 reveals our common enemy and his methods. Satan, the adversary, fights against truth and opposes all of mankind. And although he has been at it a long time, his methods have never changed. Even today, those guilty of sin have been drawn away by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). All areas or categories of temptation are described in the account of the first sin (Gen. 3:6). The exchange between Eve and the serpent shows us how this process works.
Challenging God’s Goodness (Gen. 3:1)
When Satan came to Eve in the form of a serpent, he immediately challenged God’s character and His goodness. The question posed to the woman was, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” In essence Satan says, “Did God really say you can’t have it all?” He attempts to portray God as withholding, refusing to give what is due or deserved – perhaps He is even cruel (NASB “you shall not eat from any tree of the garden”). A key part of our continued faithfulness requires remembering the goodness of God and His generous love and mercy (Lam. 3:21-24; Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 1:8). He not only knows, but also wants, what is in our best interest (Mt. 7:11; Php. 4:19; 1 Tim. 2:3-4). In disparaging God’s character, Satan begins to test Eve’s defenses.
Changing God’s Commands (3:2-3)
Eve answers Satan, correctly stating how she and Adam are permitted to eat all except the forbidden fruit. However, she then adds something which we have no record of God ever saying to them. Eve changes God’s command to include, “nor shall you touch” the forbidden fruit. Some have suggested this phrase could represent additional restrictions which Adam had placed on himself and Eve for their protection. It could also be a symptom of resentment that had grown up in Eve’s heart. After all, temptation begins with desire (Eph. 4:27; Jam. 1:13-14), that’s the door of opportunity Satan was using to get at her. Often when a child is denied something, they will exaggerate the restrictiveness of their parent. Imagine a child exclaiming, “You never let me do anything!” In this way they can pretend their disobedience is justified. Whatever the source of this change, forbidding a mere touch does not appear in the instructions which God had provided (Gen. 2:15-17). Are we ever guilty of changing God’s Word or exaggerating His restrictions?
Contradicting God Directly (3:4-6)
Here we find the phrasing which ordinarily gets the most attention in sermons and classes. It is the “not” in the devil’s tale. Satan took precisely the same sentence that God Himself had uttered and inserted the three-letter word “not” (Gen. 2:17; 3:4). We should remember that our adversary is knowledgeable of scripture (Psa. 91:11-12; Mt. 4:6). He made this change knowingly with a simple goal in mind, man’s downfall. He desires your downfall also (Eph. 6:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:8). Satan also paints a picture, as alluring as it is misleading, of what taking the forbidden fruit would unlock for mankind. “Your eyes will be opened to know good and evil” – what a way to describe the loss of innocence! Before this transgression of God’s Law, Adam and Eve knew only goodness, they were ignorant of evil. We must always strive to be wise in what is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil (Rom. 16:19).
Eve took the fruit, shared with Adam, and they both ate (Gen. 3:6). They yielded to temptation and as a result they were expelled from the garden (Gen. 3:23-24). If we allow ourselves to be deceived by Satan, over time we develop a warped idea of God and a mistaken notion of His teachings. Don’t allow the devil’s old tricks to turn your heart. Let us remain loyal to God!
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