Q19. WHAT WAS THE SIN WHEREBY OUR FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE STATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED?

A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the state wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit. (Gen. 3:6,12,13)

We need to remember questions 18 and 14, to help us realize what is behind question 19. Q18. What is sin? A. Sin is any lack of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God (1 John 3:4; Rom. 5:13). Q14. How did God create man? A. God created man male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:27; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24; Gen. 1:28). When these questions are understood, question 19 is rather straightforward.

SIX DEVICES OF SATAN FROM GENESIS 3:1-7

I want to make several observations to you from Genesis 3:1-7, so that you may learn from this not only that Adam and Eve fell, but how they were tempted when they fell. Why? First, because we must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. “We are not ignorant of his designs (devices)” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Second, because we must stand firm against the schemes of the devil. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

I. One of Satan’s devices is to tempt you to question God’s Word (Genesis 3:1a). “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say. . .?”

II. Another one of Satan’s devices is to tempt you to change God’s Word (Genesis 3:1b). “‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

III. Another one of Satan’s devices is to tempt you to add to God’s Word (Genesis 3:2-3). “And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

IV. Another one of Satan’s devices is to tempt you to think that God is all mercy and no justice (Genesis 3:4). “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.’” In his book Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, Thomas Brooks wrote, “Oh! says Satan, you need not make such a matter of sin, you need not be so fearful of sin, not so unwilling to sin; for God is a God of mercy, a God full of mercy, a God that delights in mercy, a God that is ready to show mercy, a God that is never weary of showing mercy, a God more prone to pardon his people than to punish his people; and therefore he will not take advantage against the soul; and why then, says Satan, should you make such a matter of sin?“ I encourage all of you to read and re-read Brook’s book.

V. Another one of Satan’s devices is to tempt you to think that God is all justice and no mercy (Genesis 3:5). “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan is implying, “The Lord is not merciful enough to you… He does not want to give… He only wants to take.” He is a liar. God already blessed Adam and Even. He showed them lovingkindness from the beginning.

VI. Another one of Satan’s devices is to present sin before our eyes as beautiful, showing the bait but hiding the hook (Genesis 3:6). “So 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 to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” The apostle to the Hebrews calls this “The fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11). Again Brooks write, “[One of Satan’s devices] to draw the soul into sin is, to present the bait—and hide the hook; to present the golden cup—and hide the poison; to present the sweet, the pleasure, and the profit that may flow in upon the soul by yielding to sin—and to hide from the soul the wrath and misery that will certainly follow the committing of sin. By this device he deceived our first parents.”

SIX TRUTHS CONCERNING SATAN AND HIS DEVICES BY THOMAS BROOKS

(i) Though Satan has his devices to draw souls to sin, yet we must be careful that we do not lay all our temptations upon Satan, that we do not wrong the devil, and father that upon him that is to be fathered upon our own base hearts. (ii) Satan has a great hand and stroke in most sins. (iii) Satan must have a double permission before he can do anything against us. (iv) No weapons but spiritual weapons will be useful and serviceable to the soul in fighting and combating with the devil. (v) We may read much of Satan's nature and disposition by the diverse names and epithets that are given him in the Scripture (deceiver, adversary, tempter, murderer, accuser, destroyer). (vi) God will shortly tread down Satan under the saints' feet.

THOUGH SIN BRINGS SHAME AND CONDEMNATION, CHRIST BRINGS REDEMPTION

“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths” (Genesis 3:7). Sin always brings shame and condemnation, but Christ can fix that by His redemption. Right after the fall, God promises Christ will come and have his heel bruised as he bruises the head of the serpent. Then God clothes Adam and Even, covering their nakedness and shame. This is what God does for us in Christ!

TEN SPECIAL HELPS AND RULES AGAINST SATAN'S DEVICES BY THOMAS BROOKS

(i) The first help. If you would not be taken by any of Satan's devices, then walk by rule of the Word of God. (Prov. 12:24; Gal. 6:16) He who walks by rule, walks most safely; he who walks by rule, walks most honorably; he who walks by rule, walks most sweetly. (ii) The second help. As you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, take heed of vexing and grieving of the Holy Spirit of God. (iii) The third help. If you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, then labor for more heavenly wisdom. (iv) The fourth help. If you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, then make immediate resistance against Satan's first motions. (v) The fifth help. If you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, then labor to be filled with the Spirit. (vi) The sixth help. If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then keep humble. (vii) The seventh help. If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then keep a strong, close, and constant watch (1 Thess. 5:6). (viii) The eighth help. If you would not be taken with any of Satan's snares and devices, then keep up your communion with God. (ix) The ninth help. If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then do not engage Satan in your own strength—but be every day drawing new virtue and strength from the Lord Jesus. (x) The tenth help. If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then be much in prayer.