Learning Your Enemy

Introduction

-Illus. military team knowing who the enemy is and their tactics to properly take them down. Or, bank tellers knowing what to look for when looking at fake currency.

-Satan and demons are not mentioned that much. The devil works in the background to tempt and influence people to do his bidding, a.k.a., distort God, cast blame on God, and bring condemnation on mankind. Throughout the Scriptures God deals directly with man’s actions. People are held responsible and accountable for their own choices, whether the devil influenced them or not. Thus, we see God working with man and providing the victory over temptation and sin. The devil continually works in the background and it’s important to understand his ways and God’s ways so we can overcome the devil’s schemes. Genesis 3.

I. Satan and His Ways (v. 1-6)

-v. 1-6. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Everything was good and perfect. Man and woman were made in God’s image, in His likeness. There was a purity, a fellowship, and an innocence in them (Genesis 2:25). They were innocent and unashamed but there was someone who was crafty, the ancient serpent, Satan (v. 1-6).

The devil was cunning/crafty. The very first thing we hear him say instills doubt in Eve, “Did God really say...” I can about guarantee that Eve was not looking to denounce God, rather, she sought to defend Him. She was clearing up any confusion, “No, God said we could freely eat from any tree except the one in the center nor could we look at it lest we die.”

Side note: She unintentionally added words to God’s command (Genesis 2:16-17). He simply said “Do not eat from it” she was allowed to look at it. Perhaps she added this part in her own mind to ensure she stayed away from it. The serpent didn’t seek to correct her addition, rather, he twisted God’s words and intentions. He lied.

The devil sought to render God powerless in the minds of Adam/Eve (you won’t die) and he instilled a desire for something greater. Adam and Eve were made in God’s image and enjoyed fellowship with God in the Garden. If eating the fruit was a means to be greater, even more like God, then why wouldn’t we do it?

Eve went on to justify the choice in her mind. She saw the beauty of the fruit and understood it was good and could make her wise, so, she ate it. Then she gave some to Adam. He could have said no and stopped this whole thing. But he didn’t. We don’t know why. Perhaps he was considering the devil’s reasoning, perhaps he wanted to please his wife, perhaps he was curious about the taste and the effects. Whatever the case, he sinned also.

-We learn some very important things about spiritual warfare. We are introduced to our enemy and some of his tactics.

1. He is crafty. The devil knew what form would be most likely to gain the trust of the woman. He didn’t belittle nor was he accusatory. Rather, he asked an “innocent” question.

2. He is prideful. We learn from passages in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 that symbolically discuss the devil’s fall that he was prideful, wanting to set his throne on high (in place of God) and he corrupted his wisdom and sinned.

3. Satan is a liar, that’s his native tongue (John 8:44) and his purpose is to deceive and murder. He twisted God’s words by using just enough truth that it sounded good. He appealed to the woman’s flesh and her good desires to grow to be like God. Instead, the devil convinced her to take the place of God and do what she wanted instead of what God wanted. (discuss some things below about the character of Satan)

4. He changes your worldview. Instead of being God-centric you become self-centric. It’s all about what makes me better, what feels good, what’s fun instead of what God wants.

II. Shame and Punishment (v. 7-19)

-v. 7-13: When you were a kid, were you ever sent to your room until mom or dad could “deal with you later”? You were left to sit and stew over what happened. God kind of did that with Adam and Eve. The moment they ate the fruit their eyes were opened, knew good/evil because they have no experienced evil. They were ashamed at their nakedness and took the time to sew fig leaves together as a covering. How long did that take?

After awhile, God came into the garden. Adam and Eve were ashamed, guilty, and scared, so they hid. God called after Adam with a rhetorical question, “Where are you?” Before, God’s presence was welcomed and enjoyed in bliss. Now it was terrifying because they knew they had done wrong. God gave Adam the chance to confess. Instead, he blamed Eve. So, God questioned her and she blamed the serpent.

God went to Adam first because was responsible for Eve and the garden. He failed on all counts. Eve knew what was right and allowed the serpent’s craftiness to plant seeds of doubt and twist the truth. God turned to the serpent, instead of questioning, He pronounced a curse. God as a loving Father was giving His children a chance to come clean and repent, perhaps the punishment would not have been as severe. But Satan was not remorseful, he rebelled out of pride, twisted the Word of God, painted God in a bad light, and destroy God’s image-bearers. That’s not something to be taken lightly

-v. 14-19: Satan was dealt with first, then Eve, then Adam (reverse order from before). Each received a punishment as God saw was fit. (note: God cursed Satan but not Adam or Eve. Satan was brought low and became an enemy of mankind (enmity means to be hostile toward).

Adam and Eve were punished in turn but they were not cursed. In fact, God elevated Eve to being greater than Satan who would stoop so low to initiate evil. It would be her seed that would defeat Satan (1 Timothy 2:13–15 “For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”)

The ground was cursed because of Adam (establishing physical death and decay). There would be pain and difficulty in the family unit because of the nature of the deception and action. Work was no longer enjoyable and simple it was harsh and difficult. Yet, God did not curse Adam and Eve, they took part in the curse of Satan when they aligned themselves with his ways but they were not beyond redemption as the devil was/is. God’s purpose was not to curse them but redeem them. Jesus became a curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—”, 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”)

III. God’s Mercy and Victory (v. 20-24)

-v. 20-24: God could have left them to their own demise but He didn’t. God had mercy on them: making clothes for them, not allowing them to live forever in a sin-fallen/cursed world, and allowed them to still be fruitful and multiply, using their offspring to solidify victory over Satan, evil, and death. God would guard the tree of life until Jesus restores life and enables us to partake again at the Resurrection.

The devil might be clever, a good talker, and deceitful. But God is greater. Jesus resurrected from the dead, crushing the head of Satan. The devil lost. In Christ we win. Jesus overcame and was not deceived. We have a firm standing in Jesus. He is our way of escape.

Conclusion

Now you know some about Satan and his goals. But God has won. Satan lost. We don’t have to fall for his schemes. Keep living by faith, for in Jesus we have victory. Learn the Word for in knowing the truth of God we stand strong in Him. Take comfort in knowing that Satan is powerless against God and you dwell in the arms of the Almighty. You can’t lost. Don’t give in to the devil’s pleas, stand tall knowing that Jesus paid it all and you have the victory.