Continuing our series on ‘The Dynamics of Authority,’ today we consider the fall of Adam and Eve to understand our adversary’s tactics, so we can effectively enforce our authority against him. In Genesis 3:1, we read, Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” The devil here is referring to God’s command in Genesis 2:16-17 – And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “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.” The original command highlights abundance and freedom, allowing Adam and Eve to eat from every tree except one. The emphasis is on God’s generosity, providing them with countless trees to enjoy while commanding them to avoid only one – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, the devil twists this, asking Eve if God had forbidden them to eat from every tree in the garden. By framing the question this way, he shifts the focus from God’s generosity to a false narrative of scarcity which is contrary to the abundance mindset God intended for His children. The enemy’s methods remain unchanged: he wants you to think God is withholding something from you.
Notice that the serpent approached Eve, who received God’s command as second-hand information, rather than Adam, who received it directly from God. Eve’s response reveals her shaky understanding and convictions, as she said, “we may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 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’ ” (Genesis 3:2-3). Eve overlooks the freedom God gave them, adds to His command by saying they should not touch the tree – which God did not mention, and minimizes the consequences of disobedience by saying, “lest you die,” instead of God’s clear warning that they would surely die – a certainty rather than a mere possibility. These modifications to God’s Word reveal her lack of understanding, which Satan exploits by contradicting God, saying, “You will not surely die. 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” (Genesis 3:4-5). Though Adam and Eve were already made in God’s image and given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28), they fell for the deception. Saints, the Word of God is precise and technical, and if we lack a personal understanding of what it says, we will fall prey to the devil’s deception, as do many Christians today, especially those who sit back and rely solely on pastors or church leaders to teach them what the Word says.
Eve’s lack of understanding led her to make a grave error: “When she 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” (Genesis 3:6). Although Eve had not paid much attention to the tree before, Satan’s lie of becoming wise like God changed her perception. She first took the fruit, despite her initial claim that God commanded them not to touch it. Seeing that touching it had no immediate effects, she felt emboldened to eat it, and then gave some to Adam, who also ate. Nothing happened at first, which reinforced the enemy’s lie that they would not surely die. However, soon after, “the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” (vs.7). Their conscience awakened and they felt ashamed of their nakedness, leading them to hide from God (vs.8), but this was the wrong response. We should never run from God but always run to Him, boldly approaching the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). God called to Adam, asking, “Where are you?” Adam replied, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself” (vs.9-10). Adam’s response shows a progression from fear, self-condemnation, to hiding himself from God – your position informs your perspective and ultimately, your practice. This is why it is crucial to remain in Him: when you stand on His Word, you perceive things as He does, and take steps aligned to His Word. God then asked Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” (vs.11a). Adam and Eve started playing the blame game, as many of us do when we fail to know or do what the Word says (vs.12-13). Church, know the Word for yourself, meditate on it, build personal convictions, and do what it says, so you will not be caught unawares and fall into Satan’s traps.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your abundant grace and provision. Thank You Your Word, which empowers us to guard against the enemy’s deception and enforce our authority against him. Teach us to always run to You, trusting in Your love and Your plans for our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
