How Satan has deceived humankind!

When conversing with the Jews on one occasion, Jesus told them: "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44, ESV) Isn't that interesting? Christ said that Satan was a murderer because of the way that he had deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and that he was both a liar and the progenitor of lies! In the book of Revelation, we read that Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). How did Satan accomplish that? And, more importantly, how will God counteract that deception?

In the first three chapters of Genesis, we find an account of how Satan's deception of humankind began. In that account, we are informed that God created a world that would be hospitable for humankind to inhabit, and then created humankind (male and female) in his own likeness (Genesis 1:1-30). Moreover, when everything was finished, we read: " And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) Please note that the human body, including its reproductive functions, were included in that assessment of God's handiwork - It was ALL "VERY GOOD!" In the second chapter, we are informed that God planted a garden for our ancestors to inhabit and planted two symbolic trees in its midst (verses 8-17). Interestingly, the fruit of the "Tree of Life" was made accessible to the humans, but the fruit of the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" was forbidden to them. Indeed, we read that God told them "in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Also, the second chapter ends with another very interesting observation: " the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." (Verse 25) Thus, the stage was set for Satan's appearance in the third chapter of the book.

Indeed, that chapter opens with the statement: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made." (Verse 1) Interestingly, in his conversation with the woman (which immediately follows that statement), the serpent misquotes God. "Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?" he asked. The woman then corrects the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’" (Verses 2-3) Which the serpent promptly contradicts with a bold-faced lie: "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Verses 4-5) Notice, that the lie was twofold: 1) that they wouldn't surely die, and 2) that they would be able to discern between good and evil themselves - without any aid or input from God! Interestingly, these two lies continue to animate and be accepted by the vast majority of humankind. Think about it, the majority of humankind believes that they have the ability to differentiate between what is moral and what is immoral and to make laws to enforce those notions. Likewise, the majority of humans believe that humankind is inherently immortal - that our existence continues beyond our physical death without God's intervention.

Notice too, that after the pair ate the fruit of the forbidden tree: "the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths." (Verse 7) Remember, prior to this event, we read that "the man and his wife were both naked and were NOT ashamed." Now, however, the two have clearly attached shame to their naked bodies and made some kind of rudimentary clothing to cover their nakedness. Indeed, in the account which follows, we read that they hid themselves from God's presence because of their nakedness (verses 8-11)! Notice too, that this lie has also permeated human attitudes about their bodies and its sexual functions ever since. Indeed, even Christians have traditionally attached a great deal of shamefulness and sinfulness to the human body, the sexual attraction which God instilled in humans, and anything associated with human sexual behavior. In other words, what God created and pronounced good has been made shameful and sinful by Satan and humans!

So, we see that Satan actually murdered humankind in the Garden of Eden. He lied to them and encouraged them to do the very thing which would result in their death - disobey God and decide what was moral/immoral for themselves. And, the very first thing that they decided for themselves was that their own bodies and their natural functions were shameful and evil! Moreover, as we have already noted, these lies have been faithfully passed down from one generation to another ever since! In other words, those foundational lies continue to be believed/embraced by humankind.

Unfortunately, Scripture informs us that Satan's deceptive work continued. In the book of Job, we read how Satan afflicted Job in a deliberate effort to cause him to reject God (Chapters 1-2). Notice in this account, that Satan sought to separate Job from God by causing God to doubt Job's loyalty and encouraging Job to doubt God's justice/fairness/compassion and curse God. Moreover, it is implied that Satan used Job's wife and friends to influence him to believe the lie!

In the New Testament accounts of Satan's temptation of Christ (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-3), we see Satan using isolation, physical hunger, twisting Scripture, and appealing to vanity and ambition in his attempt to deceive and defeat Jesus. Interestingly, in both Matthew's and Luke's account of the temptation, Christ used Scripture to defeat Satan and his lies.

This, of course, is consistent with what Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus about triumphing over Satan and his lies. He said: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me..." (Ephesians 6:10-19) Notice, that this "armor of God" will enable them "to stand against the schemes of the devil." What constitutes that armor? Paul tells them that truth, righteousness, a knowledge of the gospel, faith, salvation, and the "word of God" are God's armor against Satan and his lies. Moreover, Paul follows this up by telling them to be continually praying to God for help and strength.

There are two other epistles which seek to advise the saints on how to stand up to Satan's wiles. In Peter's first epistle, we read: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (5:8-9) Likewise, James wrote: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (4:7-8)

In the final analysis, however, Christ has already defeated Satan and his lies. In fact, Christ came to this earth as a human to do just that! In the epistle to the Hebrews, we read: "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." (2:14-15) Satan stands condemned. Jesus Christ has already defeated him, and "because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (2:18)

Hence, if we protect ourselves with God's armor and steadfastly resist Satan, God has promised us the victory over him and his lies! Satan's lies have caused untold heartache and suffering down through the ages and have alienated us from God and the good things which He has given to us, but Jesus Christ has already given us the victory over them (and him). Hence, if you haven't already accepted Christ's victory over Satan and his lies, won't you do so today? After all, Jesus said: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)