Knowing Your Enemy

Prologue and Chapter 1 -- Pages 27-32

It all started in the Garden of Eden. You know the familiar story.

Two human beings lived on earth at that time, a husband and his spouse, and their dwelling place was Eden. The one animal described as extremely cunning lived there, too, and he went right up to Eve. His goal was to challenge her belief system with a question designed to make her doubt. He was the devil.

"Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

His mission was accomplished and her uncertainty spread because of the question he asked. The story goes on and we'll examine it carefully as the weeks pass, but for now let's look at the method used by Satan to drive a wedge between God and His creatures.

The devil rightly assumed that the man and woman were not likely to support anything that appeared to be an all-out assault on God. He knew that, instead, he would have to subtly trick them, to deceive them, to seduce them by making an offer that appeared to be reasonable -- you know, not entirely "anti-God."

This is the way Satan operates. This mode of operation springs out of his character, which is diabolical, deliberate and planned. Let's see what the Bible has to say in regard to the creature in the garden:

John 8:44, "[The Devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."

1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

A Very Real Enemy

Satan is a very real enemy and he would like nothing better than to make you and me ineffective for the Lord and His Kingdom. The question we should ask ourselves is, "How can we discern the difference between Truth and deception?

Lord, help us as we contemplate these things. Help us to stay in Your Word and to be aware of the truth that no matter how powerful the enemy is, You are more powerful. Amen.