by By Norman Brown
The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say . . . ?” — Genesis 3:1
The serpent asked a provocative question that led Adam and Eve into temptation: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Eve replied, “He said we could eat from all the trees except for the one in the center, and if we did, we would die!” Then the serpent contradicted God: “You will not die! Instead, you will be like God!”
That’s how “that ancient serpent [who is] called the devil, or Satan” led “the whole world astray” (Revelation 12:9). Eve ate some of the fruit, and she gave some to Adam, and he ate it. In one way Satan was right: after eating the fruit, they didn’t choke to death immediately. But their souls were fatally poisoned. And we are all caught in the same trap.
Can you relate to Adam and Eve? Satan still whispers seductively, “Did God really say [your temptation] is bad or wrong?” This warning still applies: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
If we’re not careful, we’ll find ourselves lost, naked, and ashamed in our personal wilderness, vainly trying to escape God’s all-seeing gaze. Thankfully, his great love for us in Christ wins the day. God’s hope-filled question from Eden reaches us today: “Where are you?” When Satan whispers, listen not to him but the Father, look to the Savior, and trust the Spirit to overcome.
Sovereign God, when we are tempted, help us to hear you calling us to follow Jesus’ way. Amen.
