warm-up

Tell us about one of your plans that didn’t go as you had hoped. What happened?

Do you consider yourself as a person who is strict in following rules or does exactly as you are told? Why or why not?

Have you ever tried to talk to and make amends with someone who had wronged you? How did it go?

word

1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” GENESIS 3:1-4

(Read also GENESIS 3.)

In the beginning, God created everything good. But His design and purpose for mankind and His creation was disrupted when sin came into the picture. Today, we will look at how man fell into sin and how God responded.

1
Man was deceived by Satan’s lies.

3“. . . but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” GENESIS 3:3,4

(Read also GENESIS 3:5.)

Satan is God’s enemy and he hates what God loves. He is determined to destroy God’s creation and exalt himself above God. He is also the father of lies, deceiving mankind and confusing us regarding God’s promises and commands. Satan, in the form of a serpent, deceived Adam and Eve about God’s commands. When we listen to the father of lies, we will surely end up doubting God’s Word and stray from His design and purpose in our lives. What does Jesus say about how we can know and abide in the truth? (John 8:31,32)

2
Man disobeyed God’s command.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. GENESIS 3:6

Because Adam and Eve listened to Satan’s lies, they fell into temptation and disobeyed God’s command. When we listen to lies, we stray from God’s intended purpose for us and our relationship with Him. The lies of the enemy deceive us, making us believe we know what is best for ourselves apart from God’s command—this leads to disobedience, which results in death and eternal separation from God (Romans 3:23). How does being separate from God cause us to forget our identity and the purpose He gave us? Tell about a time the lies of the enemy caused you to forget the true words of God.

3
Man was found and clothed by God.

8And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” . . . 21And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. GENESIS 3:8,9,21

(Read also GENESIS 3:7-24.)

Despite man’s disobedience, God initiated reconciliation with them. Even though God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were, both physically and spiritually, He sought them out and wanted to know how they were and what led them to disobey Him. He provided them with clothing of skins when they saw that they were naked, thus making the first sacrifice for sin. Even now, God desires to bring back His relationship with us and cleanse us from our sin. How has God revealed Himself to you and reconciled your relationship with Him?

application

Do you have an intimate relationship with God? Do you desire to continuously walk with Him? Would you like to make the decision to do so today?

Are there lies that Satan has been throwing at you? What are two things that you can do this week to abide in the Word and live in God’s truth?

Do you have a family member or friend who needs to be reminded of his or her original purpose and identity in God?Commit to pray for and preach the gospel to that person this week.

prayer

Thank God for the relationship that He is offering you and for cleansing you from your sins. Thank Him that despite the consequences of your sin, He is with you every day.

Ask God to constantly remind you of His truth. Pray that as you commit to read your Bible daily, He will give you the grace to disregard Satan’s lies.

Pray for God to give you the boldness and the right words to say to preach the gospel to your family and friends.

© 2018 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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