Satan's Methods of Deception

I have been doing another Bible study on Eve. There is so much we can learn from the first woman; however, I want to focus on how Satan deceived Eve. I know he continues to try and use these methods to deceive me and keep me from doing God's work. Sometimes, he even uses Christians to do it. So don't ever put your guard down. Satan is good at what he does.

" 'You won't die!' the serpent replied to the woman. 'God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.' " - Genesis 3:4-5

This is a story everyone seems to know by heart. However, I do not think we really take time to look at the contrast between what God said and How Eve and Satan quoted God.

1. Doubting the truthfulness of God

The first method Satan uses is casting doubt on the truthfulness of what God said. He did this when he told Eve, "You won't die!"

In Genesis 2: 16-17 God said:

1. From any tree of the garden you may eat freely
2. but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
3. you shall not eat
4. for in that day you eat from it you shall surely die.

In Genesis 3: 2-3 Eve quoted God is Satan as:

1. From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat
2. but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden
3. God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it
4. least you die.'

Read each again. Do they say the same thing? No. They are similar but Eve adds to what God really said. She changes the perspective. Satan uses this to not only bring doubt to Eve's heart, but he also uses Eve's misquote to misquote God himself.

Remember, keep in God's word. If you can't quote God correctly, you won't be able to see past Satan's lies and misquotes of God's Word.

2. Doubting God's Motives

Satan says to Eve, "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." Satan tells Eve that God isn't looking out for the wellbeing. Satan suggests that God is holding Eve back from something good.