We have all been there; that place when we act like we have lost our minds! Fear, anger, and jealousy sneak into our thoughts as the demons of darkness hiss into our once peaceful atmosphere. We engage with the emotional disturbance that is loosed, and before we know it, we are passionately pursuing our flesh!
Perhaps this statement rings true to you. Maybe you find yourself, on occasion, embracing the darkness that is deep inside your heart and unleashing it on a loved one or perhaps a stranger in the parking lot. Nobody is exempt from being approached by the hiss of a serpent. However, we do not have to react to it.
When God's first human creation, Adam and Eve, were tempted in their garden, the serpent of shrewdness did not just show up one day. On the contrary, he was likely there hissing his will into the atmosphere until they agreed with him, unaware. Snakes are in a garden, unaware for some time before they eventually creep into the safety of the home.
Look at the famous story with me.
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 "but of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make [one] wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. - Gen 3:1-6 NKJV
If you are familiar with this account of Adam and Eve, then you might notice that Eve added, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. God said not to eat of it but did not say they were not to touch it. I think Eve knew God's command was so severe that she would be wise not to even think about this tree or even go near it. Yet something convinced her it was worth the risk.
It is because of Satan's trickery that we must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matt 10:6). We are warned in 1 Peter to 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. - 1Peter 5:8-9
Below are the definitions of the words in 1 Peter.
· Vigilant means to be awake, alert, and watchful.
· An adversary is a legal opponent.
· To walk about is translated from the Greek word, pĕripatĕō, per-ee-pat-eh´-o, it means to tread on or all around. To walk at large like a predator occupied with its prey.
· Seeking means to pursue.
· Roaring means to produce a howling or roaring sound, like wolves or lions.
· Devour is to consume destructively, eat quickly, or be totally absorbed by a powerful feeling.
Now, imagine what was going on in the spirit realm around this couple. They were in a state of bliss with God, but something was lurking in the spiritual realm to destroy the paradise God made for them. Satan desires nothing more than to steal, kill, or destroy your worship of God.
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. - Gen 2:15
One of the definitions for the word tend is to serve and perform acts of worship. God made man to serve Him through the acts of worship. In exchange, God did not make him a slave but instead gave him the most abundant of gardens, constant flowing fresh water, food all around, and treasures of gold and jewels. Sadly, all of it was lost for one bite of forbidden knowledge!
So, how did God's enemy get into the garden?
I don't know if anyone has a definite answer to this question. It appears that he was on the earth before God gave His first children this garden. The devil and his evil angels had territory in the second heavens. The earth was empty, void, dark, and chaotic before God began creating life upon it. It is believed the condition of the earth was because of Satan's fall when God threw him and his followers out of heaven. Satan was a worshipper in heaven, so it makes sense he desires to steal worship.
Jesus witnessed Lucifer's fall. Jesus said He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. - Luk 10:19 NKJV
Where did he fall? He was cast down to the earth, causing it to become a dark and chaotic place. Satan's will is dark and chaotic, and there is no peace in his presence. We are told in the Bible that before being born again, we once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, - Eph 2:2
If you have received the good news of the gospel of Christ, Jesus, then you now have the Spirit of peace residing within you. Walk in Him. Resist the enemy's pleas for your attention and live righteously.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I choose to evict the serpent out of my garden! I am grateful for the power I have in Your Spirit to walk in truth, humility, and holiness. I am aware that these are things I do not acquire on my own, but rather, with submission to You, I can live without allowing the enemy's hiss to take up residence in my heart. I submit my soul fully to You, and I ask for constant reminders of how to live according to Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.