Journeying in Genesis: Submit to God and Resist the Enemy

“Now the serpent was more crafty

than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman,

‘Did God actually say,

“You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”’?”

Genesis 3:1

Let’s learn from this. Has the serpent caused us to question God’s Word, because it doesn’t fit culture, or how we want things to be? Has he made us think we’re being kind by setting the Bible aside? Satan works to destroy. He convinced Eve it would be best to take down some spiritual fences, “for her own good.” He’s tempting humans to fall for the same pride that destroyed him – don’t worship God; be your own god.

Ezekiel 28 appears to describe Satan, saying he was the signet of perfection, full of wisdom. He was in Eden with a covering of every precious stone. Eve didn’t seem at all alarmed, so I think he was quite stunning. 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns us that he disguises himself as an angel of light. He has taken the reins of some churches by progressing them away from the Bible. He’s brilliant at deception.

Ezekiel goes on to say his heart was proud because of his beauty, and he corrupted his wisdom for the sake of his own splendor. In Isaiah 14 we learn that he wasn’t content to worship God, but wanted to be like God. No wonder 2 Thessalonians 2:4 tells us that in the end, the son of destruction will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Many will think he is.

We are toast against Satan without Christ. But if you are in Christ, 1 John 4:4b declares, “…he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Our Victor!