The First Lie Ever

Genesis 3 tells the story of Eve’s encounter with the Serpent (Satan). I am impressed with how Satan seduced Eve into sinning.

It all starts with a question: Hath God said . . . ? Eve is possibly taken off guard, and she gives a wrong answer. Compare what she said with the command from God. God said, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). Eve said, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die (3:2b-3). She added the phrase neither shall ye touch it.

Now, Satan comes right out and contradicts God. He says, Ye shall not surely die (3:4b). Satan implies that it’s okay to disobey God.

Satan again lies—this one’s a half lie—about the “benefits” of sin: In the day ye eat thereof (implying what her decision will be), then your eyes shall be opened (true) and ye shall be as gods (false) knowing good and evil (true). (3:5)

Let’s analyze Eve’s temptation:

1. She has questioned God’s Word.
2. She adds to God’s Word.
3. She starts to believe the two lies: She won’t die. She’ll be like a god.
4. She looks at the tree. It’s a nice tree, good for food. (God had said it was bad.) It’s pleasant to the eyes. (Again, God had said not to eat of its fruit.) It would make her wise. (Satan told her that lie.)           

Eve is ready to act. She takes the fruit, eats it, and she gives some to Adam (who’s beside her now), and he eats.

Their eyes are opened (as Satan had said), and their first reaction is shame. (3:7) They try their best to cover their shame, and then they hide.

“Being as gods” isn’t all it was cracked up to be! This is horrible! Adam and Eve have become fugitives from God.

Applications for us:

• Satan hasn’t changed his methods. He always lies. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).
• Many times, Satan’s questions include half-truths. He twists God’s Word. For this reason, it is so important to know the Bible, compare what you read or hear with the Bible. (Cults and many religions are based on partial truths.)
• Satan knows that if people hear a lie often enough, they’ll believe it. (Some examples: the Big Bang theory, evolution, “Women are equal to men—in every way.” “Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice.” “It’s okay to use recreational drugs.” “Robin Hood was right. Steal from the rich and give to the poor.”) We could go on and on. In every case, if we go to the Bible to see if the idea is right or wrong, it’s clear what God thinks.
• Sin is tempting. It looks great. It promises what it won’t deliver. Hebrews 11:25 mentions the pleasures of sin for a season. But, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). No matter how fun it looks or might be for a little while, the consequences of sin are serious.
• Thank God for Jesus Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2:24). What a blessing that He came to pay for our sin and be our Savior! Without Him, we would be dead spiritually.

Even as born again Christians, we need to be aware and wary of Satan’s methods. We will always do well when we know the Bible and stick with God’s Word.

May God bless you!