Did you know that Jesus asked three times more questions than people asked Him? In this sermon series, we're exploring some of the questions that God asked throughout Scripture. Genesis 1: our primary responsibility and purpose in this world are to know God, which is why the Bible starts this way. Genesis 2, we witness the incredible creation story. We see God's majestic power in action as He speaks the world into existence, creating everything from the beaches to the mountains. It's impossible to look at the world and not sense something greater than ourselves. We haven't even reached Scripture yet, and we're already in awe of God's creation. We see God creating humans in His image, and the relationship between them is unique and perfect. God even brings animals to Adam to be named, a remarkable connection between man and creation.
Genesis 3 is known as the fall of humanity. Starting with verse 1, the Bible tells us that the serpent was craftier than any other creature God had made. He questioned the woman, asking if God had truly forbidden them from eating any tree in the garden. The woman clarified that they could eat from any tree except the one in the middle of the garden, and they were not to touch it, or they would die.
The serpent, in this context, represents Satan. Satan is real, dangerous, and takes various forms in Scripture, from a serpent to a dragon and even a roaring lion. He is referred to as the father of lies. His ultimate goal is to steal, kill, and destroy your life. He is not to be underestimated. Be vigilant, and do not allow him a foothold in your life or your family's life.
In verse 4 of Genesis 3, the serpent tells the woman that she won't die from eating the forbidden fruit. Instead, her eyes will open, and she will become like God, knowing good and evil. As she saw that the fruit was enticing and could make her wise, she took it and shared it with her husband.
The enemy's strategy here is clear – he schemes, deceives, and makes sinful actions appear desirable. He divides us from God through lies. Notice that Eve had to believe the lie before she sinned. Temptation begins with deception, which leads to sin.
Satan tempts us with two primary lies, which he continues to use today.
The first is that sin carries no consequences.
He convinced Eve that she wouldn't die, despite God's warning. Many of us have felt the pull of this lie, thinking we can cross certain lines without facing dire consequences. But God has a plan for each of us, and sin can lead to disastrous results.
The second lie is that humans can become equal to God.
The serpent told Eve that eating the fruit would make her like God, knowing good and evil. In reality, God intended for us to share in creation with Him, walking side by side in a relationship. Yet, the enemy's deception leads us to believe we can dethrone God and take His place. This lie continues to echo in today's culture, urging us to follow our own hearts and be our own gods.
We are broken people due to the temptation of a lie, often a seemingly insignificant compromise. In Genesis 3:7, we see Adam and Eve's realization of their nakedness, prompting them to sew fig leaves together to cover themselves. Their attempt to fix the problem themselves is something we still do today. We try to earn our way to redemption, but it's a temporary solution that can never solve our real problem.
When Adam and Eve heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from His presence. Despite being created for a perfect relationship with God, they now chose to hide from Him, cowering in guilt, shame, and fear. That instinct to hide is still with us today.
Yet despite our sin, the Savior faithfully seeks us, offering grace, redemption, and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. As His followers, the enemy has no authority over our lives. His only power lies in deception, in convincing us that we are unworthy and tethered to our shame and guilt. The truth is that, in Him, we are free (John 8:36).