Genesis 3:1-6. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
The most tragic event in the history of humanity is the separation from God. This is called original sin. It is the state of life and spirit completely cut off from God and seized by the devil. As a result, all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), and spiritual death came upon everyone (Eph 2:1).
How did it happen? The devil, “the father of lies” (Jn 8:44), tempted the first man and woman to rebel against God by breaking God’s covenant with them (Gen 2:16-17). The devil offered something irresistible: “You will be like God” (Gen 3:5). Unfortunately, Adam and Eve took the bait, and that was the beginning of all the curses that came upon the entire human race.
Who is the devil, the one who carried out this terrible act? He is also known as the great dragon, the ancient serpent, or Satan, who has been leading the whole world astray (Rev 12:9). He was once one of the chosen Cherubs, spreading his wings over God’s throne. God placed him on His holy mountain, and he walked among the jewels that sparkled like fire (Eze 28:14).
According to Isaiah 14:12-14, Lucifer, the morning star, fell from the sky. All the nations on earth had bowed before him, but he was cut down. Why? He had always told himself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Does it sound familiar? That was the same lie the serpent told Adam and Eve (Gen 3:5).
Satan’s rebellion against God did not succeed. Having lost the war against Michael and his angels, he was cast down to the deep pit—Sheol, the place of death (Isa 14:15, Rev 12:9). He is filled with anger because he knows he doesn’t have much time. Before he is finally locked up in hell, he plans to cause as much destruction as possible, bringing suffering, disasters, calamities, and death (Gen 3:16-20).
Even now, people live under the power of the devil (Ac 10:38). When making choices, God is not there—only “I” exists (Gen 3:1-6). They are not interested in anything spiritual—only worldly things (Gen 6:1-5). Rather than considering God’s will, covenant, or plan, they are obsessed with what benefits them most and is more advantageous for their success (Gen 11:1-4).
This is why unbelievers are destined to live as children of the devil (Jn 8:44) and worship idols (Ex 20:4-5). As a result, they suffer mentally (Mt 11:28) and physically (Ac 8:4-8). When they finally leave the earth, they will be eternally condemned in hell (Lk 16:19-31) and leave generational curses to their children (Mt 27:25).
People are desperately seeking a way out of the power of Satan, sin, and hell. They practice all kinds of philosophies or ways of life and choose religion as a last resort. However, religion has no life. It is the act of idolatry that God detests. Religion has no power over Satan, sin, or hell. The devil controls and works behind all religions.
The only way to escape from this fundamental problem is the gospel that Jesus is the Christ. Knowing that we cannot escape from the pit where we have been trapped as captives, God has given us the gospel first: “He [Christ] will crush your [Satan’s] head” (Gen 3:15).
Jesus finished the work of the Christ when He died on the cross and rose again from the dead. That is why anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 Jn 5:1). God will give them the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12). They will be eternally set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2).
This gospel, which had been hidden for ages, has come to you! It is not something you earned, but it is the gift of God. By grace, God chose you before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4)—even before you did anything right or wrong!
So, enjoy rest, peace, and joy in Christ. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Live your life for the sake of the gospel—the life best lived!
Prayer. Father, I thank You for settling all my problems—past, present, and future—through Christ. Help me enjoy the gospel in all circumstances and live my life for the sake of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.