Are You Smarter Than a Serpent?
November 3rd, 2009 | by Ed |I’m currently teaching a series based on Genesis 1-11 entitled Beginnings.
In Genesis 1, we saw the majesty, power and wisdom of God exhibited in the creation of the universe. In Genesis 2, we saw the exalted status of the race of Adam. Even though mankind is formed from the elements of the earth, it is created in the image of God, chosen to share the very life of God and called to a glorious destiny.
But a funny thing happened on the way to glory. An enemy got into the camp (garden). The door of temptation was opened in Paradise; a Pandora’s Box of evils waited to be unleashed.
It would seem that if anyone was “exempted from being tempted,” it would be Adam and Eve. They lived in a perfect environment, untainted by sin and corruption. They had perfect bodies, not subject to death or sickness. They were recipients of every blessing of God. They continually experienced the goodness of God, witnessed the glory of God and had unbroken fellowship with God. How could they possibly be tempted to rebel against such a good and loving God?
The title of my message this Sunday is: Are You Smarter Than a Serpent? The sub-title: How to Avoid the Subtle Traps of Temptation. Are you smarter than the Serpent (Satan)? Absolutely not! Try to go toe-to-toe with the devil and you’ll lose every time. Try to overcome temptation by sheer willpower alone and you will not be able to stand. He specializes in finding our weaknesses and exploiting them.
But, we “are not ignorant of the devil’s schemes.” We can be armed against the devil when we understand his methods. Genesis 3 exposes the enemy’s tactics and the modus operandi of the devil. Discover how you can avoid the subtle traps of temptation which the devil puts in your path.