June 4, 2006
“What We Should Learn from the Fall”
Genesis 3:6-21

I. Observe the strategies of the Devil, that cause the fall – Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17
He entices Eve (and Adam) to love the world more than she does God, he excites in her (them):
1. The lust of the flesh / the tree was good for food / therefore sinful logic says, “it should not be withheld” (see Psalm 84:11)
2. The lust of the eyes / it was pleasant to the eyes (beautiful) / therefore sinful logic says, “what harm can be in it?” or as the more modern song says, “how can it be wrong, when it feels SO RIGHT” Yet, God prohibition should have been enough!
3. The pride of life / it was desired to make one wise / therefore sinful ambition says, “I need it to advance, to be like God”
4. Note in temptation there is an appeal to sinful lust that must be resisted, it is not of God and leads only to death – James 1:12-15
5. Note that though he feigns kindness and concern for our well being there is only malice in the Devil’s plans for us – John 10:10

II. Notice the immediate ill effects sin has on our first parents and their relationship with God – Genesis 3:7-10
1. They are aware of their nakedness they feel shame, guilt for sin – Genesis 3:7
2. They are “afraid” and try to hide themselves from God – Genesis 3:8-10 This was the fulfillment of the threatening – “Thou shalt surely die, - dying thou shalt die.” There was present death felt and future death feared. – Robert Candlish
3. Sin deluded them and deludes us into thinking we can hide from God, we cannot see Him, therefore (we think) He cannot see us, yet He finds us and will call us to account – Psalm 139:7-12; Genesis 3:9-13
4. Ultimately, sin causes wrong ideas about God, fear and hatred of God – Romans 8:7

III. Note, God seeks them out, not only to pass sentence upon them but also to prepare clothing (redemption) for them – Genesis 3:14-24
1. God first passes sentence upon the serpent (Satan) – Genesis 3:14-15
A. This refers not only to the animal (which lost its legs) but also to Satan who is thoroughly defeated – Psalm 72:9; Micah 7:17; Isaiah 65:25; Romans 16:20
B. The enmity between Satan and the woman is a gracious enmity (on God’s part), it is to our benefit we realize the hateful nature of the Devil and battle with him, Christ is the SEED that crushes Satan’s head – Revelation 12:1-7
C. Notice in Genesis 3:15 God’s plan of redemption is first communicated to Satan (the serpent) our redemption is his destruction, God defeats the Devil using the same human nature at which Satan like a serpent had struck!
2. Secondly, God passes sentence upon the serpent’s Satan’s victims – Genesis 3:16-19
A. Notice this sentence shows the patient graciousness of God Who could have immediately sent Adam and all his posterity to Hell!
B. Eve’s penalty involves pain in child bearing, yet it is through child-bearing that she and ultimately the entire human race would be saved – 1 Timothy 2:15
C. Eve’s penalty also included submission to her husband, even sinful husbands – 1 Peter 3:1-2, yet in redemption there is the grace of commanded love from their husbands – Ephesians 5:25
D. Man’s (Adam’s) penalty involves the curse of the ground and hard work for food, yet God promises to provide if man seeks Him first – Matthew 6:33
E. Man’s work gains him food but only through sacrifice (Genesis 3:21), ultimately Christ’s – John 1:29 comes salvation!

Summary: In this chapter, we see temptation to sin, the results of sin and the remedy to sin, ultimately is Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, the tree upon which Christ dies to reverse the curse brought about by Adam’s sinful indulgence – Romans 5:12 & 19