I was pondering something today as I read Genesis 3. We know the story: the serpent deceives Eve. She and Adam eat of the forbidden Tree. God comes to the garden in the cool of the day and calls to them. The conversation unfolds between the Lord and the man and the woman. Then, in verse 14, “The LORD God said to the serpent…”
Now, here is where my curiosity got aroused: where was the serpent between the time that Adam and Eve sinned and when God called to them?
Is it possible that the serpent – Satan – never left Adam and Eve’s side after they ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Could it be that, in the hours that followed the first act of disobedience, the serpent continued to hiss and whisper lies in the ears of the man and the woman?
“Look at you! You are naked as an animal … in fact, you are less than an animal! You are worthless. God will destroy you in hot anger. You can never be forgiven! You are a FAILURE!”
Can I know what happened in the Garden of Eden that terrible day? No. But I do know what happens today. When I sin, Satan is quick to tell me lies to keep me bound in chains of shame, too fearful to come to Jesus for forgiveness.
When you sin, don’t listen to the serpent’s lies as he hisses in your ear. Instead, shout out the good news: the outstanding, magnificent, awe-inspiring news! “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:13-15).
The serpent and his lies are defeated! Christ has won!
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Reflect & Respond:
What specific lies does Satan tell you when you sin that make you fear God and hide from him?
What scriptural truths directly counter the lies Satan tells you?
How can you ground yourself in those truths on a daily basis?
Imagine yourself writing out your sins on a parchment. Then, imagine God the Father taking a huge rubber stamp and stamping the word “CANCELED” across that document in bloodred ink – and then nailing that parchment to the cross. What are your thoughts and feelings? What actions do you want to take in response to what God has done for you?
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