As a new year begins, let us consider how God’s Word begins. Genesis 3 (sub-titled, the Fall) could be called the most pivotal chapter in the Bible, because everything changed after that. This is where man fell into sin, so God had to formulate a plan of redeeming His creation.

We may think that if we had been Eve, we would never have fallen for that trick of Satan to taste the forbidden fruit and saying (to ourselves) ‘how could she have been so gullible,’ but we realize how many times we have given in to Satan’s subtle temptations and have tasted forbidden fruit. Eve’s story, is our story (because we begin life with the same nature and the same power of choice).

Genesis 3 deals with the realities of the Christian life, so it is easy to relate to. It includes temptation, sin, punishment, and redemption. Reading this chapter helps us to better understand the sinful nature, Satan’s temptations, and our need for a Savior. It is important to know that Eve was not born, but was created by God, so she was perfect in every way (and she had a perfect mate). Eden was also perfect and weed-free, as it was planted by God Himself (Genesis 2:8). A soft mist watered the garden every night. This paradise was perfect and they enjoyed a close relationship with God.

Even though Eve ‘had it all,’ it did not seem to be enough. The reason it was not enough is the same reason many things in our life do not seem to be enough. A subtle suggestion of the serpent can make us discontent, so we want to be our own boss and manage our own life. The devil’s suggestions often drown out the still small voice of God’s Word.

Let us consider the scenario; Scripture says the tree was planted in the center of the garden, just as sin can lurk in the middle of our world. The tree was always available for Eve, as sin is available to us. Eve could look at it and walked by it every day. She could think about it and discuss it with Adam. It was right in the center, so the opportunity to sin was readily available. We are surrounded by sin today. Forbidden areas are sometimes only a mouse click away.

Although Eve had it all, she was discontented and began to do the one thing we should never do. Eve began to converse with the enemy who happened to be in the form of a serpent. That fall into sin began innocently enough with a conversation. We think of the many times we followed a wrong path that began with a conversation.

When Eve encountered the serpent, she lingered, hesitated, and began a conversation (even though Scripture says to flee). This conversation led to giving in to his temptation, which resulted in her losing everything. It was once said, ‘Nothing is more remarkable than Satan’s powerlessness to overcome you, apart from your own consent’ [unquote].

God’s instructions were clear (Genesis 2:16-17), "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." This warning was given to Adam, but he probably passed the information on to Eve, because she quoted the warning when Satan asked, ‘Did God really say?’

(Genesis 3:1), the serpent said the same three words to Eve that he said to Jesus when he tempted Him in the wilderness; ‘Has God said?’ We may have asked ourselves, ‘Has God’s Word said? Does it really mean?’ and thus have talked ourselves into something that could eventually lead to dangerous areas and serious sins. Temptation almost always begins innocently. Satan doesn’t approach Eve with a red suit and demanding that she bow down to him. He simply starts a discussion.

Genesis 3:1 says "The serpent was crafty… [and he asks] the woman, "Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?" Satan misquotes the command, as this is not what God had said. He said rather (Genesis 2:16), "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden."

Satan wants Eve to think God doesn’t really love her so He keeps something from her. Her big mistake is conversing with Satan, because he can and did outwit her. Eve repeated back to him what she thought God had said (2): "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden," but leaving out the word ‘freely.’ In doing that, she is understating God’s generous provision and de-emphasizing the privileges available in the garden.

Eve misquotes God again in verse 3 by saying that the tree was in the middle of the garden. God says (Genesis 2:16-17), "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." God had told Eve she was ‘free to eat from any tree,’ but not that one.

Satan’s strategy is to cast doubt on God’s Word and twisting the meaning. The devil is asking Eve (in so many words), ‘Are you restricted from eating of every tree in this garden? That is very unfair. All this good fruit and God won’t let you have it?’ And we think of how often Satan has suggested a million delightful things God won’t let us have. The truth is that God gave Adam and Eve every tree and all the fruit in the garden, but one.

Intentionally ignoring the abundance of God’s blessings, Satan focuses on one restriction. He tries to have us consider the few things restricted in God’s Word and totally ignoring the abundance of God’s blessings we enjoy every day. Satan doesn’t want us to think for one second about God’s provisions, but has us think only of the one restriction.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was probably an ordinary tree, but Satan made Eve to be curious about it and wanting to know more. Her first mistake was entering into a conversation (with the serpent). Her second mistake was thinking about this one restriction. Satan wanted her to believe that the tree offered much more than it would. Eve should have followed James 4:7, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." By hesitating, Satan’s temptation became more tempting.

Eve’s description of the tree was inaccurate so she failed to identify the tree for what it was. Eve didn’t mention the tree’s substance, but only its location. God clearly stated it was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It had the ability to make her wise about things she did not need to be wise about. Up to that point Eve had the ability to sin, but she had no knowledge of it. God’s warning was meant to protect her, not deny her a good thing.

Eve misquotes God again when she says to the serpent (Genesis 3:3), "God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it." She added the word ‘touch’ to what God said. Satan suggests that God is denying her something, so she is overcome by self-pity. ‘I can’t even touch it. That is so restrictive and unfair,’ she reasons.

The last part of verse three (in the KJV and YLT translations) says, "Lest you die." Lest is a word that means ‘it might happen.’ It is saying, ‘we must hurry, lest we be late.’ In Genesis 2:17 God declared, "When you eat of it you will surely die." Judgment was definite according to God. The NIV translates Eve’s reply to say, "You will die," but she still leaves out one word "You will surely die."

In Genesis 3:4, the serpent says, "You will not surely die." Even Satan knew that the word was surely, not lest. If we think that the devil is ignorant about Scripture, we are mistaken. He inserted one simple word, Eve believed it, and the world was changed forever. From that moment in time, everyone is lost in sin and they would have remained lost if Jesus had not arrived.

Satan then says (Genesis 3:5), "God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." That was his sinful rebellion, pride, and arrogance from the very beginning. He wanted to be like God and to be lifted up higher than God.

God’s Word was clearly understood, but Satan caused Eve to doubt it and then reject it. Several mistakes Eve makes are object lessons for us. First, she understated God’s provision. She left out the word freely when speaking of what they were permitted to eat. Second, she overstated the restriction and added that they weren’t allowed to touch the tree. And third, Eve understated God’s judgment when He said they would surely die if they disobeyed.

We must rightly divide the word of God and know what it says. God’s Word (Revelation 22:18), tells us to take nothing from it, to add nothing to it, and to change nothing in it, but Eve failed in all three. Any distorting of God’s Word will lead to big trouble.

Another mistake Eve makes is lingering near the temptation and not walking away. She hesitated, so the serpent entices her to try the fruit. She looked at it (the lust of the eye) and decided to try it. The tempted then become the tempter as she takes the fruit and offers it to her husband. We must not think that our sin affects only us, because eventually it will begin to affect others. The consequences of sinful activities are like ripples from a stone dropped in a pond.

Deliberately sinning, is deliberately taking our life out of God’s hands. Hosea 10:13 says, "You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception." That is what Eve did. She chose her own way and ate the fruit of deception. Satan’s deception is so prevalent today that we must be constantly on guard or we can be deceived. Everyone may have a different fruit of deception, but where God says No, we must not go. God’s restrictions are for our protection.

As Joseph did, we must do, immediately turn and run from temptation. We need to quickly move away from any tempting situation. If we hesitate as Eve did, Satan only makes it more enticing and easier to give in. When we don’t say No to small temptations, the temptation becomes stronger.

(Genesis 3:6-7), "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."

The fruit was good food, pleasant to look at, and making her wise. Her flesh desired it, her eyes longed for it, and her pride coveted it, so she took of it. 1 John 2:16 says, "Everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." The lust of the eyes, the desire of the flesh, and the pride in our heart will cause us to sin. It has always been that way, because sin always appeals to the flesh.

The consequences of that type of sin are many and serious. The first was guilt (they felt shame), the second was fear (as they hid from God), and the third was judgment. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, but He called out for them. When He found them, He had to judge them because He is a God of justice. God had warned them by His Word, and now He had to keep His Word.

From that fatal decision came guilt, fear, and judgment. There was now a separation from God (which was probably the worst result). They could no longer stay in the paradise environment. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

They were banned from the garden and a guard placed at the door. These horrible consequences have spanned from that day to this. God is a loving God, however, so along with judgment, comes a promise. Right after their sin, God makes a covenant with them. God tells Eve that her Seed would bruise the head of the serpent, and that someday a Savior would come.

Genesis is about the beginning of creation and the beginning of sorrow. If we want to hear the rest of the story we would have to read the Book of Revelation where we are told that a place is promised (to all believers who hold steadfast in the faith) where there is no more sorrow, no more crying, and no more death. The plan God put into action after the fall, provides a Savior for everyone.

Satan is the same today as he was then. He is on earth prowling and looking for a weak spot. He wants to dilute God’s Word and deceive God’s children however he can. He will discuss things with us first, then deceive us, defeat us, and eventually destroy us if we are not aware of his strategy. Satan didn’t tell Eve that she would be separated from God, but that she would know as much as God.

God provides everything we need for an abundant Christian life, but Satan is still after us. Eve had all she needed to win the battle against Satan, but she disregarded God’s Word and accepted Satan’s lie. She enjoyed close fellowship with God, but rejected it. She could have lived in a paradise environment, but was deceived by Satan to make a futile attempt to improve on what God had provided. 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God’s divine power, "has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

Eve had it all, but lost it through disobedience, pride, rebellion, and turning away from God. We live in a fallen world that is under the control of the evil one. And we have far more tempting things today, than Eve had then. To admit our sin and to cry out to God for help, requires humility, but the result is knowing God, growing in the faith, and bearing spiritual fruit.

2 Peter 3:17-18 gives a warning and speaks of the need to keep learning in the Christian life. "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

By the grace of God may we be able to see the need to repent, to change anything in our life that should be changed, to clean out those things that are forbidden in His Word, and to re-commit our lives to Him anew as we begin a new year. The world and Satan will be against us when we follow God’s Word, but that should make us more determined than ever to give our life back to the One who has a right to it because of the price He paid for it.

God really did say many things in His Word and He has also given us many things to enjoy within the parameters of His holy Word. When we venture outside God’s Word, Satan is waiting to tempt us with his. When we stay close to those things that are tempting, the serpent is ever ready to make them even more tempting (as he did with Eve). She had it all, but agreed to discuss the situation with Satan, and lost everything.

Jesus said that if our hand, foot, or eye would cause us to sin, we would be much better off without them (and entering the kingdom), than with them, giving in to the temptation (and entering the place of the lost) "where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched," (Mark 9:43-48). The Christian life is a "struggle against sin" (Hebrews 12:4) because the serpent is a dangerous enemy.

What Jesus said in Luke 13:24, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to," is supported by 1 Peter 4:18, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Satan is still on earth and he still tempting those on live in the world. His intentions have always been the same, although his temptations may take a thousand and one forms. Whatever fits the individual, Satan will use, and no matter what is written in God’s Word, the serpent still says, "Did God really say?" We have been warned!

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