Genesis 3: 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
Genesis 3:5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
The core of every temptation we receive from Satan can be found in Genesis 3:5. Here the Devil tells Eve God commanded them not to eat from the tree because he was afraid they could do a better job of making decisions than Him.
Now obviously Adam and Eve didn’t literally become God after eating the fruit, but I don’t believe this is what he meant anyways. Instead emphasis should be placed on the phrase “knowing good and evil.”
Up to this point God made the rules
He was the one who got to decide what they could or couldn’t eat
He was the one who initiated consequences if they ate from the tree
He was one in control
Basically Satan is telling Eve after eating this fruit she will make the rules [1]. And going a step farther, she could do a better job of making the rules (being God) than God
From the beginning of time that idea [2] has been at the source of every rebellion.
- It’s what got Satan thrown out of Heaven (Isaiah 14:13–14)
- It’s what got Adam and Eve thrown out of Eden (Genesis 3:22–24)
- It’s what disqualified every man or woman leading up to Christ [3]
Today this idea is still used by Satan to lead us towards rebellion…but in a slightly different fashion.
It’s all about control
Our fallen sin-nature constantly craves control over circumstances, which is why we find ourselves arguing or fighting with others over incredibly foolish things sometimes.
Our hearts craving control pretty much paints a gigantic red X on our backs and practically begs Satan to tempt us with the idea we can be a better God.
And before you start thinking to yourself “that’s okay I will just prepare myself for that temptation” keep in mind that we are broken people who apart from Christ have no hope of withstanding a temptation.
Okay so how can we withstand this powerful temptation?
Ask God to help us remember
See Satan is lying when he claims we can do a better job of running things since the moment Eve ate the fruit everything immediately fell apart. In the same way God allows us in His mercy to make our own decisions sometimes to show just how foolish we are.
It’s those memories that can add an aspect of clarity in Satan’s temptation
Remember what happened last time?
Didn’t you make a complete mess of things?
Didn’t you end up crying out to God for help?
Didn’t you promise NEVER to do that again?
The entire Old Testament revolves around a common theme
- God challenges his people to obey
- The people disobey God
- God judges His people and they repent
- God delivers them from their judgment
As this cycle repeats itself over and over a very clear message is heard
There is a God…But your not Him
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