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Gen. 3:1   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’?”

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,

3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

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.”

6 So 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 to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (emphasis added)

 

This passage is incredibly important for us to understand since following it the relationship between God and man was completely broken. Up to this point Adam and Eve had lived in a place of perfection [1] and friendship with God (Genesis 3:8). But following chapter three verse six we see them living very differently.

1. By hiding from God (3:8)
2. By refusing to confess sin (3:10)
3. By blaming others for their sins (3:11–12)
4. By experiencing the curse of sin (3:16–19)

It may seem strange that a temptation to sin against God is found in a perfect place. However even more confusing is the fact that God ALLOWED this to happen.

In Job chapter one we are told about a man named Job who Satan believed was serving God only because He was blessed by God. Because of this Satan came and ASKED PERMISSION to bring a judgment upon the life of Job (Job 1:8–11).

Notice God’s response to Satan

Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (emphasis added)

We see this control from God over Satan as He gives permission to attack Job’s possessions, but not himself physically. Only after returning later did God get permission to do this (Job 2:1–7).

Of course this raises the question “why did God allow Satan to tempt Eve?”

The answer is to prove we cannot withstand those temptations.

Notice some things about this temptation to eat the forbidden fruit:

1. It came at Eve’s weakest moment (she was standing in front of the tree and possibly thinking about it, Adam wasn’t around, God wasn’t physically present)
2. It began as shock over the fact that God told them they couldn’t do something (3:1) [2]
3. A focus on the tree (one thing she couldn’t do) caused Eve to overreact to God’s command (3:2–3) (God never said they couldn’t touch it)
4. It promises the consequences for sin wouldn’t come (3:4) [3]
5. It promises they can do a better job of being God than God (3:5)

If Satan came along and told us to immediately rebel against the plan of God we would have little problem choosing to withstand him. But instead of this he comes to us quietly whispering “If God really loved you things wouldn’t be this way.”

That simple thought (God isn’t loving) leads us to openly rebel, and believe we can do a better job of being God than Him (Isaiah 14:13–15). Even when we don’t want to disobey our strength is no match for the temptation…

We are addicted to it (Romans 3:23).

The fact that God puts us in a situation we cannot win makes it easy to think Satan is right in saying He doesn’t love us (3:5). But instead this is what the Lord uses to crush the idea we don’t need Him.

We have already covered two ways this week the Lord shows us we are poor God substitutes.

1. Our inability to choose the right way (Genesis 2:15–17)
2. Our judgment from God when we rebel (Isaiah 14:13–15)
3. Now our inability to faithfully serve God is added to the list

In a time of need it’s easy to respond “Oh it’s okay God I’ve got this” instead of begging Him for help.  And the truth is our hearts crave that independence from God’s presence, which is why Eve ate the fruit [4].

But in those moments we forget that Satan is just playing with us.

We have no hope to withstand his temptations because Satan knows what we want more than anything in life…to be the one who makes the rules.

And with every defeat God allows a voice in our heart that says “there must be more to life than this” becomes louder.

 

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Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly

Isaiah 14:14 in the far reaches of the north;* I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

Isaiah 14:15 I will make myself like the Most High.’
But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.

 

Editors Note: We will return to the book of Genesis tomorrow, but I believe it’s important to briefly discuss this section first since it gives some background to Satan and his temptation in our lives.

The book of Isaiah is a prophecy that includes judgment on many nations that had chosen to disobey God, or attack the Jewish people. This specific passage (Isaiah 14) is written as a “taunting song” (14:4–11, 14:12–21) directed towards the King of Babylon.

I don’t think this king literally believed he could go to Heaven and become God, but believed that he had complete control over his life [1]. So he expected to take the place of God (the one who has control) much like Satan told Eve she would become like God (Genesis 3:5) by deciding what was right or wrong.

This is slightly different from having free-will since in that situation God still makes the rules [2]. Here the king decides he will be the one who makes the rules.

Another issue in this passage is HOW the king decides he is going to do all of these things. The word “ascend” emphasizes climbing a ladder or mountain in a persons own strength.

So basically the king is saying here, “I will become the one who makes the rules in my own strength!” However instead of climbing up to the position of God we see this king brought down to Sheol (14:16) [3].

This passage teaches us a foundational truth about Scripture

1. There is one God
2. And you’re not him

Throughout the Bible those who tried to take the place of God (control) ended up facing terrifying judgments. The Lord doesn’t do this because He enjoys seeing us suffer, but because we make very poor substitutes for God.

Think for a moment about how the stress and drama of our lives overwhelm us from time to time, and then imagine yourself bearing the burdens of everyone in the whole world. If your anything like me you have enough trouble caring for your own problems!

Within each one of us is a Sin Nature (Romans 3:23). I will get into this more next week, but basically it’s a constant idea that we can do a better job of being God than God.  This is why God brings moments into our lives that give “perspective.” [4].

Another reason why people view this passage as important is it gives us a portrait of Satan’s rebellion against God [5].

For those of you who may not understand the Biblical view of Satan here is the main idea.

1. He was created as an Angel of God
2. Scripture states that he was one of the most powerful angels (possibly the most powerful)
3. At some point Satan gathered other Angels with him, and they tried to overthrow God
4. They were defeated and cast out of Heaven
5. Since that time Satan has tried to keep people from obeying the Lord
6. The Angels cast out with him became demons

Satan the moment he was cast out of Heaven began telling individuals that God was being dishonest or unfair (Genesis 3:4) because we are indeed proper replacements for him (Genesis 3:5).

Now of course none of us will have the arrogance of this king or Satan who proclaimed “I will be like God!” But we all “ascend” don’t we?

Ascending is about relying upon my own strength or wisdom instead of God’s. And when the Lord calls me to rely upon Him responds, “oh it’s okay God I got this.”

1. It’s refusing to ask for help when everyone knows your struggling
2. It’s refusing to confess our sins or rebellion
3. It’s looking for something (anything) to find our purpose in other than God
4. It’s covering up that weak or sinful part of our lives so nobody can see it

With every step God in love pleads with us to stop because He doesn’t want to judge us.

But eventually He must bring us down so that we can be reminded of our brokenness.

Yet there is hope in that…

It isn’t my job to take care of all the problems
It isn’t my job to meet all of the needs
It isn’t my job to make decisions
My job is just to obey God

Because there is only one God…and I’m not Him