A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
GENESIS 3:1-6
Lesson #09
THE NATURE OF TEMPTATION
- Memory verse: James 1:2-3
- Read Gen 3:1-6 The fall into sin
- In Genesis 3, we see the origin of sin in mankind. It is the beginning of deception.
- First, the angel Lucifer sinned, and became Satan in the garden (3:1-5).
- Then the woman sinned.
- Then Adam sinned (3:6).
- We see God speak to these 3 in the reverse order. He speaks to Adam (3:9-12), the woman (3:13), and then Satan (3:14). Then God passes judgment on the 3 in the order in which they sinned: Satan (3:14-15), the woman (3:16), then Adam (3:17-19).
- While the words, test, tempt, and trial are basically the same word in Hebrew, there are some theological differences.
- The word, “test”: God tests us in order to strengthen us and make us better (Deu 8:2,16).
- The word, “tempt”: Satan tempts us, not God, for the purposes of making us fall into sin and be destroyed.
- The word, “trial”: this is the situation from man’s viewpoint whether it be a test or a temptation.
- How do we know the serpent is Satan?
- By scripture, we know it. (Rev 12:9 Rev 20:2)
- By his character, we know it. Satan’s deception:
- Satan’s use of God’s name: (3:1)
- He did not use “Jehovah Elohim”, the covenant relationship name for God. He used “Elohim”, the generic term for God indicating that God is like any other god and far away.
- Satan’s subtle negativism: (3:1) “ye shall not eat of every tree”
- God said they could eat of every tree except…
- Satan over emphasizes the negative.
- Satan’s subtle lies: (3:3-4)
- Joh 8:44 tells us Satan is the father of lies.
- The tree “in the midst of the garden” was the tree of life (see 2:9) central to man’s awareness.
- Satan makes the tree of the knowledge of good and evil central to the woman’s awareness.
- “ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it.”
- God said the first part, but never said they could not touch it. Satan makes the prohibition even more restrictive than God’s intent.
- Satan extends the prohibition “lest ye die.” He says ye shall not surely die.
- God said they would “surely” die (2:17). Satan subtlely minimizes the consequence and then outright denies the consequence.
- Satan directly contradicts God.
- Satan’s appeal: (3:5)
- “ye shall be as God”
- This is an appeal to power and authority. Therefore, self-determination is the underlying basis of temptation. The appeal is to man’s pride.
- This is the same sin Lucifer fell into. (Isa 14:12-14)
- Satan’s purposes were for man to distrust and dishonor God, to doubt his grace, to question his goodness, to deny his justice, and to reject his authority.
- Satan’s use of God’s name: (3:1)
- The consequence:
- “the knowledge of good and evil”
- The Hebrew language could not express moral knowledge or ethical discernment, so the phrase “good and evil” was used.
- Man was created in innocence.
- By eating of the tree, they entered a state of moral responsibility to which God had not called them.
- They now had a conscience whereby they basically knew what was right and wrong and were now morally accountable.
- The nature of temptation:
- Read 1John 2:16 and Luke 4
- What do you notice that is similar in these 3 scripture passages?
- Satan works from without to within.
- He begins with the external through bodily senses and emotions to reach the inward spirit of man.
- In Genesis 3, we see the origin of sin in mankind. It is the beginning of deception.
The Nature of Temptation
- I John 2:16 Heb 4:15
| “Lust of the flesh” | “Lust of the eyes” | “Pride of life” | |
| Gen 3:6 | “good for food” | “pleasant to the eyes” | “…to make one wise” |
| Luk
4:2-13 |
“command this stone that it be made bread” (4:3) | “…showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world” (4:5) | “…cast thyself down from here…he shall give his angels charge over thee…” (4:9-11) |
| Body | Soul | Spirit | |
| This temptation draws us away from the will of God
Gal 5:6 |
This temptation draws us away from
The word of God Gen 3:6b |
This temptation draws us away from
The worship of God 1Pet 5:5-11 |
|
| This temptation destroys our dependence on God
Joh 15:5 |
This temptation destroys our confidence in God
Joh 15:7 |
This temptation destroys our obedience to God
Joh 15:8-10 |
- Discussion:
- What do you learn about fighting temptation from the 3 passages above?
The Four Stages of Temptation
James 1:13-15
| 1. Suggestion: | “…drawn away of his own lust” (14) |
| 2. Meditation: | “…enticed” (14) |
| 3. Mental consent: | “…when lust hath conceived…” (15) |
| 4. Commitment: | “…when it is finished…” (15) |
The opposite of falling into temptation
| “The lust of the flesh” | Walk in the spirit
Gal 5:16-26 Rom 8:1-13 |
| “The lust of the eyes” | Walk by faith
Heb 11:1,6 2Cor 5:1-10 |
| “The pride of life” | Walk in humility
1Pet 5:1-7 |
Homework
Genesis 3:7-13
- Application of Gen 3:1-6
- What have you learned about temptation that will help you better fight it in the future?
- Preparation for Gen 3:7-13
- Read Gen 3:7-13
- Make a list of God’s four questions to Adam and Eve.
- Why does God ask these questions? Doesn’t He know the answers?
- What is the significance of the fig leaves?
- Read Gen 3:7-13
- Memory verse: Rom 6:23
