The Bible teaches us where sin begins. It begins with doubting God’s word. When Satan appeared in the garden, he came into a perfect environment where Adam and Eve enjoyed a perfect relationship with God and each other. The devil interrupted that relationship by causing Adam and Eve to doubt the truth of God’s words.
As A. W. Tozer has pointed out, Satan presented them with what seemed like a benign choice. They had to decide between God’s words or Satan’s. Satan convinced them they could be like God and possess all knowledge, and so began the fall into depravity for the whole human race.
Satan’s tactics have not changed. Jesus said the devil is a liar, and has always hated the truth. So, he twists God’s words, or contradicts them, or tries to get us to ignore them as unimportant. Doubting God’s words, and questioning His authority, is where sin begins for us. If we doubt the truth of God’s words, we perceive we have no obligation to obey them.
Either God created the universe, and it came into being by His special design, as the Bible tells us, or not. If God created the heavens and the earth, and gave us life, we are accountable to Him. If everything sprang into existence, in all of its order and complexity, all by itself, with no designer, then there is no one to whom we are accountable. What we believe about the origin of the world and life itself affects how we live.
Satan, or the devil, is a very real enemy. Deception is his main weapon. Part of his deception is to convince us he doesn’t exist. The world has made him into a cartoon character. If we don’t realize Satan is behind everything that opposes God, we let our guard down.
Our world, under Satan’s influence, has turned truth into something fluid. It is considered relative– as in “your truth” and “my truth.” But truth is true. Truth is an immoveable rock. We may not always agree about what is true. We may not know what is true, or we may not believe it. But truth is unchanging. Jesus came into the world as the Way, the Truth and the Life. God’s word is truth. It is our knowledge of truth that enables us to recognize and resist the deception that comes to us from every direction.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he tempted Jesus by suggesting something other than God’s plan. Jesus’ defense against the devil was The Scriptures say. . .
It is our defense as well. God’s word is powerful. What is true is unchanging for all of time and eternity, for all people, in all generations. Cultural changes may influence what people believe is true, but the truth itself never changes. God’s word tells us that though Satan was defeated at the cross, he still has a destructive influence in the world. The devil is sneaky. Satan will do as much damage as he can wherever he can, by getting people to doubt God. But his power is limited. Jesus will one day return to earth and destroy Satan forever. In the meantime, we each must choose who we will believe.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
Knowing where sin begins, how will you protect yourself? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by rebekaillesova from Pixabay
Very good explantation. God as designer
Thank you, George. God designed, He created, and He sustains.
Thanks, Phyllis. I’m grateful for God’s Word and His guidance. Praying for all of us to do what God wants us to do.
Yes, trust and obey. Thanks, Joni.