The Fall

Genesis 3:1 — The serpent was more crafty than any of the animals of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?”

Good morning, brother or sister in the faith. My prayer is that you will be blessed in Christ, enjoy a good day and live for the glory of God.

The third chapter of Genesis tells a sad and deeply troubling story. Here we see humanity's failure and fall as people abandon obedience to God and his commands. We have already considered the decision to disregard God's command. Now we see its painful consequences, from which we can draw several principles for our lives.

Satan does not approach the man directly

Satan often works subtly. Rather than presenting himself or his temptations directly, he uses other means to entice people into believing his lies. The text tells us that the man received God's command and was responsible for honouring it, both in his own life and in his relationship with his wife. Yet this did not happen. Satan appears as a serpent. This itself reverses the proper order: humanity had been given dominion over the animals and was meant to govern them, rather than be persuaded by them. The serpent also avoids approaching the man directly; through the man's wife, he persuades them to believe a lie. Have you considered the subtle ways Satan may approach you and lead you into temptation? Have you thought about how people can sometimes be influenced by the devil to become partners in wrongdoing rather than helpers? Micah says, “Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds, and carry it out when morning comes.” Remember that spiritual realities surround us, and that following Jesus and his commands involves an ongoing struggle.

Human physical death

I remember hearing an atheist argue against God's existence on the grounds of the body's weaknesses: illness, ageing and, eventually, death. The argument ran like this: if God made us, why did he make bodies that seem so defective, vulnerable to bacteria and viruses, with joints and organs that wear out? The answer lies in God's Word, which such arguments overlook. Sin is the reason death entered humanity. Death reminds us of the arrogance involved in disobeying God. The issue was not simply eating a forbidden fruit, but what eating it expressed. Satan said, “You will not die; your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.” The sin was not merely the act of eating, but the desire to take God's place.

Consider this as well: people commonly assume that Satanism consists of worshipping the devil or deliberately following him into evil. Yet the teaching in view here is that you are your own god and possess the right, power and control over your own destiny. The believer answers, “We were created for God's glory, not to make ourselves the centre of everything.” The world promotes self-rule, but Scripture teaches that everything belongs to God and that he deserves all honour and glory. Are you living for God's glory? Is he the centre of your life? Have you considered that death reminds our frail bodies to live in dependence on him?

Human spiritual death

This passage also reveals spiritual death. It appears in Adam and Eve's shame as they look at themselves and try to cover their bodies with leaves. It appears again in their desire to withdraw from God when he seeks them in the garden: “They heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid from the presence of the LORD God among the trees.” Their consciences now express separation from God. Where did this impulse come from? Why did they respond by trying to hide? Later, this moral and spiritual fall becomes visible in humanity's first murder, committed by Cain, and in the spread of evil throughout society. Paul teaches that we were dead in trespasses and sins, yet God loved us in his grace and kindness. Have you considered God's love? Have you considered the evil that resides in the human heart? Do you understand that humanity needs more than instruction: we need a spiritual transformation of the heart?

Theological reflection

God reveals a beautiful promise in this same chapter. It is known as the proto-gospel: an early announcement of God's plan of redemption for humanity. In verse 15, God promises that an offspring of the woman will crush the serpent's head. He will save humanity, lead people back into God's presence, finally destroy death and win victory for all who believe. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the promised offspring. All who believe in him and await his return look to him not only for guidance in this life, but also to be brought into God's eternal presence, held by his hand. Trust in Jesus, surrender to him and believe the gospel. This is the true reason to live.

May God preserve your life in Christ Jesus, prosper you, guide you and build you up in his love and truth.