5 Step Snake (Gen 3:1-19,2:16,17;Mark 1:12, 13;
Luke 4:1–2,3-4,9-10,11-12;Mark 1:13; Luke 4:5–6,7-8, 13)
Who was behind the creature in the garden? (Rev 12:9, 20:2, 7-8,9,10)
57 verses in from the beginning of the Bible we read of the beginning of the influence of Satan over mankind. (Gen 3:1)
57 verses from the end of the Bible we read of the beginning of the end, the termination of the influence of the Satan over mankind. (Rev 20:7-8,9-10)
Ed Miller, returned from Africa and told me of the black mamba 8-14 feet long, 20-24 km/hr, one of the most poisonous in the world. Feared! Antivenom, or death %100. The locals call it “The 5 step snake”. Neuro-system / muscular system seizures or paralyzed.
We have considered 5 physical steps of someone bitten by this snake.
I would like to consider 5 steps, tactics, maneuvers made by Satan as part of progress toward his goal
Since human nature does not change, Satan’s tricks still work. His venom is as effective as ever.
Let’s talk about 5 tactical steps Satan uses to deceive mankind.
5 steps of the one behind the serpent in the garden.
2 have to do with hindering the work of the word of God.
3 have to do with the human heart, human nature.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Romans 8:7 (CSB)
The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.
Step: 1) Did God say? Cast doubt on God’s word. Is that really what He said? Did He mean what He said? (Gen 3:1)
(Our story shows God had a message for Adam & Eve, He did say it, and he meant it!) (Gen 2:16,17)
Instant spiritual death (Rom 5:12;Ps 51:5;Eph 2:1) and progressive physical death (Gen 5:5,1 Cor 15:22)
a) You need to know God’s word to benefit from it. Satan uses busyness to keep us from it.
But when God’s word does reach us he injects doubts, and twists in half truths
b) As scripture progresses, we see people like
Pharaoh “Who is the Lord that I should obey” or
Nebuchadnezzar “who is the god who can rescue you from my power?” or Sennacherib king of Assyria through Rabshakeh “Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?” or
The man of Ps 14:1, 53:1 whose foolish thought is “There is no God”
Step 2) You will not die! (Gen 3:4)
Contradicts and blasphemes. Some truth? But without the but… “but of the tree… shall NOT eat!” they got what God said they would. Instant spiritual death (Eph 2:1) and progressive physical death (Gen 5:5,1 Cor 15:22,
Step 3) For all that is in the world, The lust of the flesh, (food, drink, pleasure)
Step 4) The lust of the eyes, (possessions, entertainment – Ps 101:3)
Step 5) The pride of life (power, fame, riches, beauty, intelligence).
(1 John 2:16)
Although there will always be a remnant who seek to follow The Lord,
(1 Tim 3:2)
The rest of the people in the last days are described (2 Tim 3:1,2,3,4,5)
The tempting of Eve – Genesis 3:1,2,3,4,5,6 (CSB) Eve – saw good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasant to see (lust of the eyes) to make wise (pride of life). The tempting of Jesus – Matthew 4:1,2 (CSB) & Luke 4:2
Matthew 4:3,4 (CSB)
3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (lust of the flesh)
Matthew 4:8-9,10 (CSB)
9 (a very high mountain) And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.” (lust of the eyes)
Matthew 4:5,6,7 (CSB)
5(the pinnacle of the temple), “throw yourself down” (pride of life)
Isaiah 5:20 – Know good and evil – conscience (good 6X) (1 Tim 1:5 – good, 1 Tim 3:9 – pure, 1 Tim 4:2 seared, Titus 1:15 – defiled, Heb 9:14 – purged, Heb 10:22 – evil)
El Alamein is a town on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
It’s known for a decisive 1942 WWII battle. Rommel, the German field marshal, and Montgomery, the British General fought for control of the Suez Canal.
The British built a pipeline to supply their troops with fresh water. They tested it with sea water. The Germans found it, and in desperate need of water drank from it, only to get more thirsty! They thought it was what they needed but it was not. The salt content in seawater is much higher than what can be processed by the human body. Eventually, you die of dehydration even as you become thirstier.
They thought the water was just what they needed.
They did not know bad from good.
A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. It signaled: “Water, water. We die of thirst.” The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” After a number of exchanges, the captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River.
They thought the water all around them was bad for them, but it was just what they needed.
They did not know good from bad.
A children’s story tells of a caterpillar crawling through a garden looking for food. What he finds is brightly painted sticks. Money, fame, power… Solomon had all three, but it did not end well. Isaiah 5:20 (CSB) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 2 Tim 3:1-2,3 “last days perilous times” “Without natural affection”
Who is a sinner?:
1 Kings 8:46;2 Chronicles 6:36;Ecclesiastes 7:20;Romans 3:23;Romans 5:12;Galatians 3:22;Romans 3:9
What is the result?:
Ezekiel 18:4;Ezekiel 18:20;Romans 6:23;James 1:15
Who did NOT sin?:
Isaiah 7:14,8:8;Matthew 1:23;Colossians 2:9;1 Timothy 3:16
He is SINLESS!:
2 Corinthians 5:18-19,20-21;1 Peter 2:21-22;1 John 3:5
How can we escape sin’s consequences?:
Heb 10:12;Joh 10:11;2Co 5:21;1Pe 2:24;Isa 53:5;Tit 2:14;1Ti 2:6
What must I do?!: REPENT!
John the Baptist: Matthew 3:1-2
Jesus: Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15
Peter: Acts 2:38
Paul: Acts 17:30;Acts 26:20
AND?!: BELIEVE!
Acts 16:31;1 John 3:23;Hebrews 10:39;1 Timothy 1:16;Galatians 3:22;1 Corinthians 1:21;Romans 10:9;Acts 19:4;Acts 15:11;Acts 13:39;John 20:31;John 8:24;John 7:39;John 6:29;John 1:12
Snake bites small creature first