Understanding the Enemy: Beginnings Bible Study

Continuing our Beginnings Bible study (see end of post for links to other devotions), we reach Genesis 3 and man’s fall. Verse 1 immediately sets the tone: Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden ‘?”

Military experts will tell you that the key to overcoming any enemy is understanding them–what makes them tick, how they operate, what their goals are. There is no doubt that Satan is the enemy of our souls. Remember Jesus’ words? He calls him a murderer and a liar. Tells us that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be on alert, because our enemy is like a lion on the prowl, waiting to devour us. While we need not fear Satan because our God is more powerful, it is extremely important that we understand how he works.

Understanding the Enemy: He Disguises Himself

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ~2 Corinthians 11:14

Though our enemy is often portrayed as a snake or horned creature with a pitchfork, he is much more subtle and often attractive. Genesis 3:1 calls him crafty. We need to remember that he will stop at nothing–including disguising his true colors–to trip us up.

Understanding the Enemy: He Spreads Doubt, Fear, and Confusion

Look at Genesis 3:1 again. “Did God really say…?” With Eve, the devil subtly questioned God’s goodness. If Satan can get us to doubt God, give in to fear and confusion, he’s well on his way to his goal of stealing (our joy and peace), killing (our reputations, our witness) and destroying us. When we find ourselves in a place of doubt, fear, and confusion, there’s no doubt who caused it.

Understanding the Enemy: He Deals With Desire

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 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 desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. ~Genesis 3:4-6

We can always count on Satan to operate this way. Even in his temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4), he appealed to human desire. Who doesn’t want good food, beautiful surroundings, and wisdom? We just need to be very careful how we choose to satisfy our human desires. Instead of giving in to the enemy’s temptation, we should remember that only God truly satisfies. Everything else is a cheap substitute.

Understanding the Enemy: He Contradicts God’s Word

Satan got to Eve by contradicting what God had already told them. He tried the same thing with Jesus, and He operates the same way with us, usually by twisting scripture just enough to make it sound right. That’s why it’s sooooo important to immerse ourselves in God’s Word. If not, we’ll believe the devil’s lies rather than the Truth!

Understanding the Enemy: Digging Deeper

The enemy of our souls is far from invincible. We defeat him by using our God-given armor (Ephesians 6), the word of our testimony, and by the blood of the Lamb. If you’d like a few more study references on this topic, here are just a few:

Satan’s Fall From Heaven: Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12b-17; Luke 10:18
Satan’s Work: 1 John 2:16; Matthew 4:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; John 10:10a; 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14

Understanding the Enemy: Discussion Questions

Can you think of other ways in which our enemy operates?
Can you think of a time you were able to overcome the enemy’s tactics? How did you do it?

Part of any battle is understanding the enemy. Beginnings #BibleStudy Gen.3 @Cathy_Bryant
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Other BEGINNINGS BIBLE STUDY Posts:

Day 1
Days 2 and 3
Days 4 and 5
Day 6
Blessed Rest
In The Garden
Made For Each Other

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