Man Shall Live by His Words Alone

September 16, 2026

Genesis 3:1–24

Jinu Ninan

Satan’s Crafty Deception

Satan was once an archangel created under God’s authority. But he refused to remain submissive and rebelled, losing his place in God’s presence. He knew that as long as man and woman lived in a loving relationship with God, under His authority, they could not be destroyed. But if they could be lured into rebellion—as he himself had done—they too would be cut off from God.

So Satan targeted Eve. His strategy was to make her doubt God’s love. He convinced her that God had placed restrictions on her not out of love, but to keep her from true freedom. Satan’s message was subtle yet deadly: Freedom under authority is not real freedom. Step out from under God’s authority and you will be like God Himself.

He promised life and enlightenment: “You will not surely die. Your eyes will be opened. You will know good and evil.” This was Satan’s lie: that rebellion brings life, freedom, and wisdom. In reality, rebellion brings death.

The First Sin — Rebellion of the Heart

Eve believed the serpent’s words. She turned her heart away from God, stepping out from under His authority and the order He had established in her family. Rebellion in the heart was the first sin ever committed in creation.

Adam then faced a choice: would he obey God and stop the rebellion in his home, or would he join his wife in her disobedience? Sadly, Adam chose to stand with Eve rather than with God. Unlike Eve, Adam was not deceived—he knowingly rejected God’s authority and broke fellowship with Him.

The result was exactly as God had warned: they died spiritually, cut off from the Source of life and light. They came under Satan’s authority and became slaves instead of free. Their relationship with God was broken, and soon their relationship with each other was fractured as well. Fear, shame, blame, and accusations replaced love and trust. Finally, they were cast out of God’s presence into a cursed world.

God’s Promise of Redemption

Yet even in judgment, God gave a promise: the seed of the woman would one day crush the serpent’s head. Through His Son, God would restore man’s broken relationship with Himself and stop the rebellion in the human heart.

This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. On the cross He defeated Satan and broke his power. When we hear the true Gospel, repent, and believe in Christ as Lord, we are delivered from slavery to Satan and transferred back under God’s authority.

New Life in Christ

Through the new birth we are restored to God as our Father. We become His sons and daughters, united with Him in spirit. In the home, husband and wife can once again experience unity and peace. God desires that our relationship with Him be marked by unbroken love, faith, and obedience.

But the serpent still tempts us to doubt God’s love. He whispers the same lies: “You’re missing out… real freedom is outside God’s authority.” Yet we overcome by standing firm in our Father’s love, trusting His wisdom, and obeying His Word.

Prayer

Abba Father, help us never to doubt Your love, so clearly revealed at the cross. Teach us to rest in that love, trust Your wisdom, and obey You wholeheartedly. Forgive us for the times we have doubted You. Keep us from the traps of the deceiver and remove every trace of rebellion from our hearts. Lead us step by step in every area of life. Thank You for doing so. Amen.