The Serpent & The Lie

Gen 1-2 show perfection.

The Problem of evil

Not a bumper sticker

Genesis 3:1–7 “1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves”

Shrewdest

Why did God make a shrewd animal?

One word for Wise or Prudent in Proverbs

Positive

Proverbs 12:16 “16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.”

Proverbs 13:16 “16 Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.”

Proverbs 14:15 “15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.”

Think for themselves - don’t get caught up in the moment.

But here the snake twists it…

The Snake?

The snake is circumventing God’s created order.

The snake represents the spiritual forces of evil - to overtake the proper order God created.

Revelation 12:9 “9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.”

Asks a question.… “Did God really say”

This question gives the Woman a sense of power and focuses the woman's attention.

God, not The LORD God…

Really?

Sin - especially addictive behaviors starts here.

Trying to find the line of what is right and wrong is the wrong heart!

1) “When does this become a sin is a sinful question!”

Who is this really going to be hurt?

What’s really wrong with a little?

2) The snake is laying the framework for God to be unjust or unkind.

God must be mad at m e so I am going to ______ anyway

This isn’t far I just going to _______

This is still the lie of devil

The answer to the question should have been.

Shut up and Go Away!

Trusting God and following his commands is the right heart

v. 3 The woman starts adding rules to God’s rules.

There is no command not to touch it.

The more we play with rules and focus on where the line is, the worse it gets for us and everyone else.

Middle of the garden (TREE OF LIFE!)

v4. “You won’t die, your eyes will be open.”

The best lie is 99% true.

Did the Woman die after eating it? She lived a long time after

Does God know what will happen if they eat it?

Are their eyes open as soon as they eat it?

Do they know Good and Evil just like God?

Telling 99% truth is lying!

What’s the lie?

Die eventually but even more important

Why is this lie such a problem?

The lie is that God isn’t loving! Or God is withholding something we should have.

I am guilty of this. Time and time again…

Mechanical Pencil

Position my self to look good

I take my eyes off of God providing and protecting me and start looking at how I am providing.

Justify sin because

God’s protection is most often unknown to us

v6. - Saw, wanted, took

This is the pattern of sin.

Stop the cycle! RUN from evil.

This is us every time

Adam was there. Each of them had a choice.

v1 You is plural.

It’s not good for man to be alone, He needed someone to help him. Turns out the Woman was alone even though He was standing right there.

Tell the serpent to shut up and go away

Church we need to fight for each other

The real source of evil is that God not loving.

Jesus’ temptation. Matthew 4:3-10

Turn these stones into bread. See how it’s good for you.

I know what God says - God is not holding out on me.

Prove you are the son of God and jump off.

I don’t want to! God says not to.

Bow down to me, and will give you glory

Shut up and go away!

Lets be like Jesus

Jesus wasn’t asking where the line is in sinning. What if I made bread and didn’t eat it… or what if I jumped off and levitated…

Jesus knew God’s instructions were loving and life-giving.

I don’t know what lies you are hearing right now, but God is loving, kind, and protecting.