Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

Genesis 3:1a

It becomes clear quite soon that this is no mere snake. Behind the serpent is Satan.

Satan comes to tempt and deceive and devour. What is the satanic strategy? Listen to his next words to Eve: "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" (3:1b)

Can you hear the tone, the incredulity? "I can't believe it! Has God really said that you can't eat from any tree in the garden! How unfair!"

What is Satan doing? He is suggesting that God is not good. He is questioning God's love for Eve. He is distorting God's Word. He is casting doubt on God's goodness to Adam and Eve. He is insinuating that God is holding back something from Eve that she really needs.

This is still the satanic strategy. Satan wants to devour you. This is his strategy.

Expect to hear the same voice in your head. Nothing's changed. You will hear a voice suggesting that God is not good, that God does not really love you, that God is unfair to you, that God is hard to please, that God is in fact a cosmic Scrooge.

Have you heard that voice? Sure you have. Recognize its source. Paul says that we are not unaware of the devil's schemes.

Behind all sin is the suspicion that God isn't good and therefore he cannot be trusted. This is Satan's main ploy in his quest to ruin your life and devour your soul.

You will hear things like this, "God is being so unfair in what he says about divorce (or adultery, or honesty in your business, or tithing, or forgiving your father, or Christians marrying only Christians, or pornography). God is holding back something you need to make you happy. Your case is different. You are an exception."

Don't listen! Shut your ears to the voice of the deceiver. Stand firm in Christ's strength.