The Villain, Genesis 3:1-6

They say every good story has a hero, a damsel in distress, and a villain.

Perhaps they got that from the Bible.

1.     The Bible opens introducing the Greatest Hero; God. Chapter 1.

2.     Next, we meet the damsel in distress; mankind. Chapter 2.

3.     Then, in sneaks the villain; satan. Chapter 3.

Up to this point it was such a Good Story. Over and over, we heard, it was good, it was good it was good…and then it was very good.

The only thing that was, not good, God fixed.

The only thing missing was the part where we hear, “And they all lived happily ever after…”

But, this is no fairy tale. This is the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, so help us, God.

Therefore, we have chapter 3.

It’s like the most beautiful song ever created, suddenly interrupted by a needle scraping across the record. Or, finger nails down a blackboard. Or, for the youngsters who don’t know about records, or blackboards, it’s like being right in the middle of your best video game ever…and the internet goes out.

BUT…

The Truth is, there indeed is, a happily ever after. For some.

I pray you, are one of the some.

 

 

The Temptation and Fall of Man

Genesis 3:1. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made...

 

Who’s the serpent?

Revelation 12:9 calls him the dragon, the serpent of old, the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world.   

Jesus calls him the father of lies. John 8:44.

Where’d he come from?

Ezekiel 28:12-15 explains that he was created by God as a beautiful, wise, musically inclined, anointed cherub.

How’d he get so wicked?

Isaiah 14:12-15 reveals he had I problems.  

 

So, lucifer, the beautiful, anointed angel of God, became the serpent of old, the devil, satan, the father of lies; because of pride.

Of course, at the time of our text, Eve knows none of this. She simply sees one of God’s cunning, perhaps stunning, creations.

 

And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

The serpent talks. Amazing.

Eve doesn’t freak out. Even more amazing.

Some folks say before the fall, all animals could talk. Others say, just the serpents.

I’m not sure if that’s supported by Scripture. If they did talk, when did they stop? It’s not mentioned in the curse of the fall, or anywhere.

Perhaps the most likely explanation is that Adam and Eve, could understand the animals, before the fall. He who knows all breathed His breath of life into them, after all.

Apparently satan chose to use the serpent as his means to communicate with Eve.

Now, let’s look at what the he said.

This is the first question in the Bible.

The first question in the Word of God, questions, the Word of God.

Up to this point God’s Word has been the supreme unchallenged authority.

God said it.

It was.

And it was good.

Day.

After.

Day.  

Until now. (The scraping needle).

 

The serpent’s question is not for information, but for manipulation. It twists God’s Word, from a positive invitation to a negative restriction, prohibition.

Compare satan’s question with God’s command.

QUESTION: “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1.

COMMAND: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17.

Help yourself to anything you want. Just don’t touch that one; it’s poison, it’ll kill you.

The serpent tries to erase God’s boundaries by claiming they are shackles.  

He won’t let you eat anything.

 

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

BOUNDARIES ARE GOOD

That’s it. One rule. Stay away from the thing that will harm you. It was a good rule. It was meant to protect.

But more than that.

Boundaries and borders give peace and security. Last night you probably slept, within the borders of your yard, the boundary walls of your house, your room, your bed. There you were, safe and sound. You felt it.

There is peace, protection and provision, within the boundaries of the paradise God designed specifically for you. Matthew 6:33.

But step outside, all hell breaks loose.

Remove God’s boundaries and borders and the earth becomes without form and void; with darkness so deep, Johnny can’t see he’s a boy. People so deceived they don’t know what’s a woman. Minds so deluded, they strike like a serpent any who mention God’s borders.

 

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The mask comes off, the fangs come out, and the liar, calls God a liar.

That’s how it’s done, even to this day. Those with the serpent spirit accuse others of what they themselves are guilty of.

From the first question, Eve should’ve been on her guard. But now, all communication with the serpent should cease; with red flags flying, and sirens blaring.

Give no place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27.

Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. James 4:7.

"The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 9) should’ve been the last words she ever spoke to the serpent.

 

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

 

Most of what she saw was nothing new, all the other trees had it too. They were all, pleasant to the sight and good for food. Genesis 2:9.

The one thing mentioned that is different, “a tree desirable to make one wise” is actually just Eve’s deceived perception.  

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10.

She showed a lack of wisdom, by not fearing the Word of the LORD.

Eve was deceived, yet, she’s not entirely innocent. We’re tempted where we’re temptable.  

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:13-15.

 

So, Eve bears (and bares) her share of the blame.

However, the lion’s share of blame doesn’t fall on her shoulders, or even the snake…but on Adam. He was right there, with her.

But, before we expose Adam's apathy, we’ll give him a break—being as it’s Father’s Day and all (at least it was when this message was first delivered).

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

Help us be children who listen, to You. 

Satisfied to stay within the boundaries of the paradise, You’ve given us.

We love You, intentionally, on purpose, forever.

Amen.

 

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Watch online: The Villain, Genesis 3:1-6