1 QUOTE

“A good liar must tell a little bit of truth to deceive you.”

– Pastor David Washington

1 NOTE

The book of Genesis begins with ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and earth’ (Genesis 1:1). But we know there is a before the beginning. The Prophets Isaiah (14:12-14) and Ezekiel (28:12-18) both describe Satan’s fall from heaven. The deep water is not spiritually neutral. The Hebrew word connotes the waters were controlled by mysterious, evil powers. God solves two problems (formless and empty) by creating structure on days 1-3, and filling the earth on days 4-6. But from before the beginning, Satan, evil and his chaotic darkness were present.

This Lenten season I have been thinking a lot about spiritual warfare. I define spiritual warfare as the unseen conflict in the spirit world as Satan and his dark army oppose God, the heavenly host, and His people. Genesis 3 is the original story of spiritual warfare. I observe three practical, spiritual warfare lessons from Satan tricking Adam and Eve.

1. Warfare Tactic 1: Bible - It is no accident Satan pounces on the one human who does not have first-hand knowledge of the Bible. Adam received the command from the mouth of God (Gen 2:16), but the woman was not yet formed (Gen 2:22). Satan mercilessly attacks disciples with second-hand Bible knowledge. We must never rely on social media, memes or ghosts of Sunday school past. Friends, we must live in the Book for ourselves.

2. Warfare Tactic 2: Isolate - The serpent approaches the woman when she is isolated. Satan knows that when we are alone we are vulnerable. Christians need fellowship to be strong in faith. Our enemy is a prowling lion (1 Peter 5:8) and when he sees isolated Christians, he thinks, “BBQ chicken!” Friends, we must live in Christian community.

3. Warfare Tactic 3: Suspicion - Satan asks questions to create an environment of suspicion. His first words to humanity were, “Did God actually say?” (Genesis 3:1). His slick words trick Adam and Eve into exchanging everything for something they already possessed. He convinces them to eat the fruit so they will be like God, when they are already made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Satan convinced Adam and Eve to choose death by tricking them to want to become something they already were!

1 QUESTION

Jesus teaches that Satan was a murderer and a liar from the beginning (John 8:44). Our adversary is ruthless, cunning and out to kill. In military terms, soft targets are vulnerable, exposed and have no defense against the opposing army. Are you living in the Book with community? If not, we are all soft targets.

Until Next Tuesday,

John