Creator, Father, King #35

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

IF GENESIS CHAPTERS 1–2 are a sightseeing tour bus that transports us back in time to witness God’s beautiful act of Creation, Genesis 3:1 is the ominous sound of screeching brakes. EEERRRRT!!!

Here’s what the verse says: “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’”

This verse is a purposefully stark contrast to the Bible’s first two blissful chapters, and it raises plenty of questions:

• Who is this serpent?
• Where did he come from?
• How was he “the shrewdest of all the wild animals” on earth?
• Why was he questioning God?
• And how in the world was he able to talk?!

While the Bible doesn’t answer all these questions, Genesis 3:1 introduces us to history’s most diabolical character. This is none other than God’s cosmic enemy, “the great dragon . . . that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, ESV).

What’s It Mean?

Many people today deny Satan’s existence, but the Bible unequivocally affirms his reality. Before we discuss the death and destruction he brought into the world, we need to learn more about who he is.

Satan is a created being and not eternal, although the Bible doesn’t explicitly say when God created him or when he and other angels rebelled against God. But God originally made him morally pure, for God cannot create evil.

Since his fall, Satan has actively tried to destroy God’s plan of salvation on earth “in great anger, knowing that he has little time” (Revelation 12:12). In fact, the name “Satan” means “adversary.” He accuses Christians before God night and day—to no avail (Revelation 12:10). He is “a murderer from the beginning” and “the father of lies” (John 8:44).

But Satan has no authority over Christians. Jesus destroyed Satan’s power with his victory at the Cross (1 John 3:8), and we can resist the devil through the righteous armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). In the end, Jesus will throw Satan into hell forever (Revelation 20:10).

The devil is a defeated foe. Where Adam and Eve failed, you can have victory over the devil’s temptations through Christ!

Now What?

When Satan tempts you to sin, answer with Scripture like Jesus did (Matthew 4:1-11).

Did You Know?

Some (but not all) Bible commentators believe Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 are prophecies with double meanings—both as warnings against wicked earthly kings in ancient times and as glimpses into the pre-Genesis 3 fall of Satan.