The genesis of sin
(Genesis 3:1-6)
The repeated pattern in Genesis 1, God said and it was so, is broken a mere two chapters later. For the first time what God said wasn’t so. This was the genesis of sin. It is the genesis of every sin, even still. “God said” is replaced with “but I say,” and the rebellion is complete. In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul tells Timothy:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16–17)
If all Scripture is breathed out by God, then all Scripture is true. If all Scripture is profitable, then all Scripture is good. If all Scripture equips you for every good work, then all Scripture is enough.
Taking this into account the negative pattern becomes apparent. Sin begins to reign when we begin to doubt that every word of God is true, that every word of God is good, and that every word of God is enough. The next step of sin is to declare our own word, to rebel against Him, and finally, to recruit others to join us. This is the pattern in Genesis 3:1-6, and it is the pattern still today.
First we doubt His Word is true
Genesis 3:1
The serpent in Genesis 3 is identified as the most cunning creature in the field that God had made. Later passages in the Bible reveal that this serpent was, in fact, the devil himself. In the book of Revelation, it is written that the devil, also known as Satan, was bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. During this time, he would not be able to deceive the nations anymore. The passage also identifies the devil as the ancient serpent, the same one who deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In Ezekiel 28, the prophet describes the fall of the king of Tyre. However, some scholars believe that the passage also has a double meaning and refers to Satan’s fall from grace. The passage describes how the king was in Eden, the Garden of God, and was adorned with every precious stone. This passage also talks about how the king was the seal of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. However, his heart was lifted up in pride, and he was cast down from his position.
In 2 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul warns the Corinthians about false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Paul states that even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. This verse suggests that Satan can appear as beautiful and good, deceiving people into following him.
The serpent’s craftiness is displayed as he begins to sow the seeds of doubt in the woman’s mind. He questions God’s Word, asking, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the Garden?'” (Gen 3:1b). The serpent knew full well that God had not said that they could not eat from any tree in the Garden, but by phrasing his question in this way, he insinuated that God’s Word could not be trusted.
God’s Word had been spoken and had come to pass in Genesis 1 where He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Gen 1:3). However, the serpent’s cunning question planted a seed of doubt in the woman’s mind, causing her to question the accuracy and reliability of God’s Word.
This is the same pattern and temptation we face today. We must recognize the danger of doubting the truth of God’s Word in our own lives. Just as the serpent tempted Eve to doubt God’s Word, we can also be influenced by doubt and skepticism from the world around us. We may question the relevance or accuracy of Scripture, or even dismiss it altogether. This can lead to confusion, fear, and ultimately disobedience to God.
To combat this, we must intentionally seek to know and understand God’s Word, and to trust that it is true and relevant for our lives today. We must also be vigilant against the subtle ways doubt can creep in, such as through popular culture, the opinions of others, or our own doubts and fears.
The message of Genesis reminds us that we are called to trust in and obey God’s Word, even in the face of temptation and doubt. If doubting God’s Word brought slavery, misery, and alienation, then trusting in it should bring the opposite—namely freedom, joy, and peace that comes from a life surrendered to God.
We doubt His Word is good
Genesis 3:2
The woman’s response to the serpent’s question about eating from any tree in the Garden is revealing. It is obvious that the serpent has just planted the seed of doubt in her mind about the goodness of God’s Word by twisting God’s original command in Genesis 2:16-17, which stated that they could eat from every tree in the Garden except for one.
Instead of affirming God’s Word and His goodness, the woman leaves out the word “every” from her response, saying that they can eat from the fruit of the trees in the Garden, rather than every tree. This may seem like a small omission, but it shows her doubt in God’s goodness and His Word. Notice the pattern: the serpent asked a question that cast doubt that God’s Word was true, which led to the woman’s response that cast doubt that God’s Word was good.
The philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre believed that any restriction, even those imposed by a divine being, is a form of slavery. He argued that true freedom requires the belief that God is dead, so that humans can create their own meaning and purpose in life. This idea of freedom without God is reflected in the woman’s response to the serpent’s question, as she questions God’s goodness and His Word, and seeks to create her own understanding of what is permissible. This is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as it marks the beginning of humanity’s separation from God and the introduction of sin into the world.
The serpent’s question to the woman about eating from any tree in the Garden highlights the idea of perceived restrictions. By framing God’s command as a restriction, the serpent seeks to plant a seed of doubt in the woman’s mind about God’s goodness and intention towards her. This same tactic is used by the enemy in our lives today, as he seeks to deceive us into believing that God’s commands and restrictions are oppressive and limiting.
When we begin to doubt God’s goodness, we are more susceptible to temptation and sin. This is because our perception of God’s character and intentions towards us affects how we respond to temptation. If we believe that God is withholding something good from us or that His commands are oppressive, we are more likely to give in to temptation in order to satisfy our own desires.
Therefore, it is important for us to trust in God’s goodness and intention towards us, even when we don’t fully understand His commands or perceive them as unhelpful restrictions. We must remember that God’s commands are given for our good and protection, and that He always has our best interests in mind.
In addition, we must actively resist the lies of the enemy and the temptation to doubt God’s goodness. We can do this by studying and meditating on God’s Word, which reveals His character and intentions towards us. We can also seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to discern truth from lies and empowers us to resist temptation.
We doubt His Word is enough
Genesis 3:3-5
In Genesis 3:3-5, we witness the tragic consequences of doubting God’s Word as enough. The serpent cunningly questions God’s command, sowing seeds of doubt in the woman’s mind. She adds to God’s command by saying, “neither shall you touch it,” perhaps revealing her fear of transgressing God’s law. But the serpent’s deception goes further, challenging the woman’s faith in God’s goodness and truthfulness. He suggests that God is withholding something good from her, casting doubt on God’s character and love. In doing so, the serpent is appealing to the woman’s pride and desire for self-rule, tempting her to be like God and define good and evil for herself.
This temptation is rooted in a deep-seated doubt in God’s Word as enough. It reveals a belief that God’s commands are arbitrary and insufficient to bring us true happiness and fulfillment. It suggests that our own wisdom and understanding are superior to God’s, and that we can choose our own path to happiness and success.
This same temptation continues to afflict us today. We are constantly bombarded with messages that suggest we can find happiness and fulfillment apart from God’s Word. We are told that God’s commands are outdated and oppressive, and that we must define our own truth and morality. We are lured by the promise of freedom and autonomy, but in reality, we are enslaved to our own sinful desires and the lies of the enemy.
The danger of doubting God’s Word is that it leads us down a path of destruction. It robs us of the joy and peace that comes from living in obedience to God’s commands. It leads us to pursue fleeting pleasures that end up leaving us empty and broken. And it separates us from the source of all life and goodness.
Jesus came to redeem us from the consequences of our sin and to restore our relationship with God. He affirmed the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word, saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). He demonstrated perfect obedience to God’s commands, even to the point of death on a cross, and so he offers us new life and freedom through faith in Him.
We declare our own word
Genesis 3:6a
In Genesis 3:6a, we see the moment when Eve decides to declare her own word, rather than God’s. In other words, God said “no,” but Eve said “yes.” She saw that the tree was good for food, a delight to the eyes, and desirable for making one wise. This act of deciding for herself what is good, rather than trusting in God’s definition of good and evil, marks the beginning of humanity’s rebellion against God.
It’s interesting to note that in Genesis 1:31, we see God’s definition of good, as He pronounced all that He had made “very good.” This contrasts with Eve’s decision to define for herself what is good, based on her own desires and preferences.
1 John 2:15-17 reminds us that we reflect what we love, and that love for the world and its desires are not from the Father, but from the world. Eve’s desire for the fruit of the forbidden tree was driven by her fleshly desires and lustful eyes, which James 1:14-15 warns us can lead to sin and death. Philippians 3:17-19 speaks of those whose god is their belly, who set their minds on earthly things and live as enemies of the cross of Christ. This is exactly what Eve did when she declared her own word and rebelled against God’s command.
Eve’s decision to declare her own word led to humanity’s fall into sin and rebellion against God. As we continue to struggle with the same temptations and desires that Eve faced, let us seek to align our desires with God’s will and definition of good, rather than declaring our own word on the matter.
We rebel against Him
Genesis 3:6b
Genesis 3:6b is a sobering reminder of the power in our words to lead us down the path of rebellion. In this verse, we see the culmination of the serpent’s crafty lies and the woman’s doubts, as she takes and eats of the forbidden fruit. The act of taking and eating represents a complete rejection of God’s Word and a rebellion against His authority.
This act of rebellion did not happen in a vacuum, but rather it was the result of a long process of questioning, doubting, and ultimately rejecting God’s truth. The serpent’s cunning words sowed the seeds of doubt in the woman’s mind, causing her to question the goodness and truthfulness of God’s Word. As she entertained these doubts, her desires and thoughts became twisted, leading her to believe that she knew better than God and that her own desires were more important than His will.
Sadly, we see the same pattern of rebellion played out time and time again in our own lives. We listen to the voices of the world, which tell us that our own desires and wants should take priority over God’s commands. We allow doubts and questions to fester in our minds, slowly eroding our trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness. And before we know it, we find ourselves rebelling against God, doing what we know is wrong and hiding our sin from His sight.
Isaiah 14:4 and 12-14 reminds us that sin is all in all an act of rebellion against God’s authority. It tells the story of the fall of Lucifer, who rebelled against God’s rule and sought to exalt himself above the Most High. The same spirit of rebellion that led Lucifer to his downfall is present in every act of sin, as we seek to elevate our own desires and will above God’s.
Revelation 9:20-21 and 16:8-11 describe the judgments that will come upon the world because of its rebellion against God. These passages remind us that our sin will not go unnoticed or unpunished, but that there will be consequences for the disobedient and unrepentant.
In light of these sobering truths, we must guard our hearts and minds against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. We must cling to God’s Word as the ultimate authority in our lives, trusting in His goodness and wisdom even when doubts and questions arise. We must strive daily to live in obedience to His commands, resisting the temptations of the flesh and seeking His grace and forgiveness when we fall short.
We recruit others to join us
Genesis 3:6c
Genesis 3:6c tells us that after the woman ate the fruit, she gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate as well. This act of sharing the forbidden fruit was a momentous step in the progression of sin. The woman’s desire for the fruit led to her disobedience, then culminated to her recruitment of her husband to join in rebellion against God.
Similarly, in our own lives, when we give in to temptation and sin, we often seek to bring others down with us. We may feel validated in our actions if we can get others to join us, as if it somehow makes our choices more acceptable. This is dangerous, as it can lead to a cycle of sin and corruption that can spread through families, communities, and even nations.
As Christians, we must be mindful of the power of our influence over others. We should strive to live holy and obedient lives so that we can be an example worth imitating and lead others towards righteousness. Likewise, we should be cautious of those who would seek to recruit us into sinful behavior, and instead cling to the truth of God’s Word.
The fact that Adam was with the woman when she ate the fruit also reminds us of the importance of taking responsibility for our actions. Even if we are not the instigator of sin, we will still be held accountable if we partake in it. This is why it is important to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of temptation, and not allow ourselves to be swayed by the actions or opinions of others that do not hold against the Word.
Finally, the fact that Adam ate the fruit even though he was not deceived (as stated in 1 Timothy 2:14) shows us the danger of conforming to the world’s standards. The Christian is called and capable to follow a different standard. Instead of conforming to this pattern of sin we are called to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Rom 12:1-2).
The question is how? This brings us right back to where it all went wrong: the Word of God. We must stop doubting that His Word is true, that it is good, and that it is enough. Our words lead to rebellion and they infect others around us creating a culture of death. Paul refers to the Word of God as the “Word of life” (Phil 2:16), and he urges us to hold it fast. Christian, hold it fast.
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