Temptation and Sin

This is the first place Satan enters creation in order to destroy the kingdom of Yahweh. He knows that he could never truly destroy Yahweh or His kingdom, but if he could get Yahweh’s image bearers to sin, it would be devastating to the kingdom of Yahweh on earth.

Satan used four tactics in order to get Eve to sin in Gen. 3:1-5.

• He questioned the command. By asking, “Did God really say…” Satan began to sow seeds of doubt as to whether they understood correctly Yahweh’s clear command.
• He denied the consequences. Satan blatantly denied the consequences of their actions by stating that they would not die. Notice to this there was no response from Eve.
• He questioned the character of Yahweh. By saying that they would not die, Satan called Yahweh a liar. He added to this by stating that Yahweh was trying to keep them from becoming like Him. The minute Eve began to doubt Yahweh’s goodness and trustworthiness, she had no hope of obeying the command.
• He offered them divinity. Finally, Satan said that they would become like gods and would be in control of their own lives and destiny.

Notice that their first mistake was that they did not go to Yahweh to ask Him about the serpent’s claims and why they did not agree with what He had said.

Their choice to sin against Yahweh, which severed their relationship with Him, brought immediate consequences into their lives. First, they saw how exposed and naked they now were before each other in a fallen and sinful state, and they were filled with shame. They feared the rejection of the other now that they knew what they had become. Second, they tried to take care of their nakedness and sinfulness through their own works. Third, they hid from Yahweh rather than going to Him for forgiveness. And fourth, they blamed each other and even Yahweh for what happened to them rather than taking responsibility for their choices.