The Enemy’s Strategy

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.”’ And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely shall not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-6

How often has Satan repeated that very first temptation scheme used on Eve in the Garden. Note the progression of his attack against the known Word of God. First, he presents the question: “Indeed, has God said...?” (verse 1). The context implies that is sort of a sly question with a bit of rebellion just below the surface.

Let a warning sound in your mind and in your spirit when your logical questioning begins to shift a bit - and a self-will raises its ugly head - and a rebellious attitude dulls your sensitivity. Know right then that your question is leading you on a collision course with obedience to God.

Satan’s second statement was an outright lie. It was a lie backed up with a cunning revelation of a purposely misdirected truth. Watch out when you begin to listen to Satan’s contradictions. Jesus gives the supreme example of how to respond when Satan offers an alterative to full and complete obedience to the revealed will of God. Read Luke 4:1-13. He always resorts to the Word of God.

Be alert. Be aware of the enemy’s strategy. He is not an unbeatable foe. He has already been defeated at the cross.