Genesis Chapter 3

Here in the beautiful garden of Eden we get our first glimpse of Satan and his evil ways. We do not know exactly how it was that Eve could hear the voice of Satan. She may have heard him in her mind or heard him speak out loud. Satan used the serpent to be a visible animal that Eve could converse with. And the conversation that pursued was what we call the first temptation of mankind.

Some might say that the fall of man is just a fable, but it is one of those foundational truths that we must believe and understand. “It is idle to call the narrative of the Fall a mere allegory; one had better say at once that he does not believe the Book… There was a real serpent, as there was a real paradise; there was a real Adam and Eve, who stood at the head of our race, and they really sinned, and our race is really fallen. Believe this.” [Spurgeon]

The serpent is not named here in Genesis as Satan, but we know from other passages in the Bible such as Ezekiel 28:13-19, that this was the devil himself.

Let's Reflect

1. The Bible says that this serpent was more crafty than any other animal. This is because this particular animal was being used by the devil. He asked Eve a particular question that started her thinking about the parameters God had imposed on them. Those parameters were put there to remind them that God was God, and they were not. What question did the serpent ask of Eve?

2. Did Eve know what the punishment would be for eating from the fruit of the tree?

3. What enticement did the devil use to make her desire to eat the fruit?

4. Eve was tempted by the serpent, but Adam deliberately defied God, knowing that he was not to partake and yet without argument he ate the fruit when his wife gave it to him. Immediately they felt the sin nature come upon them. What did they sense right away?

5. When God came to walk with them in the garden, the two tried to hide from God. When God asked Adam the direct question, “Have you eaten of the tree which I commanded you not to eat?” What was his response?

6. What did Eve have to say for herself?

7. The animal known as the serpent was immediately cursed; it now would crawl on its belly. Perhaps the serpent had legs previously, or perhaps it was a winged reptile. The way to kill a snake is to cut off its head. That is exactly what will happen to Satan one day. What does the end of verse 15 say about Satan’s demise?

8. What was Eve’s judgement for her sin? What was Adam’s judgement? But even more severe is the acknowledgement that this was the beginning of death, both of them now were starting to age.

9. Why did God make Adam and Eve leave the garden of Eden?