The Lies of Satan and the Fall

Introduction The word "Genesis" means "beginning." That’s a fitting title for the first book of the Bible because it tells us how everything began (except God, of course). It tells us about the first week of history, the first people, the first home, the first marriage, and the first lie. Who told the first lie? Satan did, in Genesis 3:1-5. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Introduction Satan goes to Eden and sees the crown of God’s creation: man and woman, Adam and Eve. Keep in mind, Adam and Eve are in a STATE OF INNOCENCE. That is, the thought of sin has never crossed their minds. The very notion of disobeying and doubting God is foreign to them. They haven’t been introduced to the concept of sin and they haven’t been given an opportunity to sin. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Introduction Satan knew about THE PROHIBITION God gave Adam. On the sixth day, before He created Eve, the Lord told Adam . . . (Gen. 2:16-17). God gave this prohibition and it was fine with Adam. He later told Eve what God had said, and it was fine with her. The very thought of breaking that prohibition didn’t cross their minds because they were in a state of innocence. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Introduction Satan sees this as an opportunity to strike at God and start a rebellion. So He assumes the form of a snake and introduces Adam and Eve to the concept of sin. And HOW DID HE INTRODUCE THEM TO THE CONCEPT OF SIN? He lied. Jesus describes the devil as "THE FATHER OF ALL LIES." 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Introduction Satan told the first lie, and it has been one of his favorite tools ever since. He uses lies to entice people to sin. That’s what He did with Adam and Eve. He told three lies. I want to expose these lies today because he still uses them today. Here are his three most powerful lies. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about the BIBLE He says, "The Bible isn’t reliable." Look at what he told Eve. He cast Doubt on God’s Word ("Did God really say . . ."). He does the same thing today. Our universities, colleges, and even seminaries are plagued by so-called Higher criticism which is trying to shred the Bible and cast doubt on everything it says. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about the BIBLE B. He Distorted God’s Word (". . .you must not eat from any tree in the garden?") God didn’t say that. God said, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Gen. 2:16-17). Satan took what God said and twisted it into something it didn’t mean. And he does the same thing today. He distorts God’s Word and twists it into saying something it doesn’t mean. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about the BIBLE He Denied God’s Word ("You will not surely die"). This is an emphatic denial in the Hebrew. Satan is saying, in effect, "There is no way in this world that you will die." He was denying the Word of God, and Satan still does the exact same thing today (ILL: people who teach that Jesus isn’t the only way to Heaven, that there is no Hell, etc.) 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about the BIBLE Satan told Eve, and he tells billions of people today, "The Bible isn’t reliable." IS WHAT HE SAYS TRUE? Of course not! The Bible is the most reliable and trustworthy book ever written and you can believe whatever it says! Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.“ 2 Timothy 3:16 adds, "All Scripture is God-breathed . . ." That is, God spoke every word from Genesis to Revelation! And God doesn’t lie and He doesn’t make mistakes! Satan lies about the Bible and . . . 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about GOD He says, in effect, "God doesn’t have your best interests in mind.“ Look at what He told Eve (v. 1, ". . . from any tree . . . v. 5, God knows your eyes will be opened and you’ll be like God . . ") The Devil was implying to Eve, "God doesn’t really care about you. He is keeping something good from you. He doesn’t want you to have fun and have a good time." 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about GOD And Satan says the exact same thing today! Many youth don’t want to live with God, "because I don’t want to stop having fun!" Those poor young youth don’t come to the Lord Jesus Christ because they have listened to one of the devil’s favorite and most powerful lies. Satan told Eve, and he tells billions of people today, "God doesn’t have your best interests in mind." IS WHAT HE SAYS TRUE? Of course not!! 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about GOD Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Romans 8:28 adds, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Satan lies about the Bible, He lies about God, and . . . 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about SIN He says, "Sin won’t hurt you." That’s what he told Eve. (Look at v. 4) . . . in other words, "Sin won’t hurt you." (Look at v. 5) . . . in other words, "It’ll be good for you" "It’ll be a neat experience." Satan told Eve, and he tells billions of people today, "Sin won’t hurt you." And IS WHAT HE SAYS TRUE? Absolutely not!!! Numbers 32:23 says, ". . .Be sure that your sin will find you out.” 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Satan Lies about SIN Galatians 6:7-8 adds, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG

Conclusion Somebody may ask, "How can I withstand Satan’s lies?" By knowing the truth about the Bible, God, and sin. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." Understand and realize that the Bible is reliable, God has your best interests in mind, and sin will ultimately hurt you. Understand these truths and they will help you withstand Satan’s lies. 2/5/2019 WWW.SUSCOPTS.ORG