Text: Genesis 3:16

Topic: How Satan tempts us to distrust God.

Introduction

• Illustration: Robinson tells how one of his former seminary students went on to great things in the pastorate, only to ruin everything when "in one dark hour of temptation he fell into the abyss." The man is now in prison for attempted rape.

• What would cause someone to pay the price of sin, to be lured into destruction?
• Genesis 3:16 is a study in temptation, and a study in Satan's methods.

How does Satan tempt us?

• He comes disguised in his person and in his purposes.
• He subtly and slyly shifts our focus from God to things we shouldn't focus on.
• He attacks God's Word, as he did with Eve: "You don't believe that, do you?"
• He goes deeper and attacks God's character, attacking his goodness (Gen. 1:5).
• Once we disobey God's Word and doubt his goodness, Satan has done his work.
• When that happens, what once was out of bounds becomes the thing we desire.

Conclusion

• Satan tempts not with a piece of fruit, but with disobedience of God's Word and distrust of God's goodness.