Sin as Disbelief and Disobedience toward God’s Word (Gen.3:1-6)
1)The importance of the understanding of sin
-What is sin? Many people answer that to break a moral law is sin. In the social perspective, it is right. However, the Bible explains a more fundamental and significant definition of sin to us. Sin is to disbelieve and disobey God’s Word.
-From the Fall of Adam and Eve, let us see how sin started and what is the core of sin.
1.The fundamental problem of human beings is to disbelieve and to disobey the Word of God
1)The Word of God which was given to human beings: the principle of creation
-God created only human beings in His own image (Gen.1:27). As a result, they had original righteousness, holiness, and truth. Because humankind has a spirit, the fellowship and communication with God naturally took places. God gave them blessings and cultural mandate to conquer the world (Gen. 1:28).
-In order to enjoy all spiritual blessings, God gave a covenant to Adam and Eve.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
-To remain in the Word of God is to enjoy all blessings and fellowship with God. God gave this simple covenant to them to protect them from Satan.
2)Sayings of the serpent:
①Satan’s check for the spiritual state of human beings
-One day, the serpent came to Eve and asked her “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”(Gen.3:1). Why did the serpent ask this question? It is because he wanted to know whether Eve firmly and correctly held on to God’s Word or not. Satan always checks whether your spiritual state stays in the Word of God or not.
-What is an answer of Eve to the serpent?
Genesis 3:3 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.
②the opposite saying against God’s Word
-The serpent saw a foothold in Eve’s heart. She did not take hold of God’s Word correctly. He boldly said to Eve directly contrary to God’s Word (Gen.2:17).
Genesis 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
③The serpent deceived Adam and Eve to become like God.
-What’s worse, the serpent tempted Eve by a deception to become like God.
Genesis 3:5 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.
④The serpent is the devil and Satan
Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
⑤Satan disguises himself as an angel of the light to deceive people
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
-We must be spiritually alert or watchful. Don’t follow physical signs or miracles, but the Word of God!
3)Finally, human beings chose and followed the saying of Satan.
Genesis 3:6 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.
①Human beings disbelieved God’s Word
②Humankind disobeyed God’s Word and trusted in the saying of Satan.
③Disbelief and disobedience toward God’s Word are sin and cause all problems.
④Not to listen to and concentrate upon the Word of God are the curse to human beings
⑤The influence not by God’s Word, but by others is disasters.
-Without the Word of God, human beings cannot live correctly.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’
2.The core of the Word is the Gospel
1)The core of 66 books of the Bile is the Gospel
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
-The Word of God, which is the Bible, expounds on God’s redemptive plan. Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration are the big picture of the Bible. This salvation story is the Gospel. The core of the Gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ (Rom.1:2-4).
2)The purpose to write Scripture is for the Gospel
John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
-The Bible tells who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us concerning our salvation. Whenever you read the Bible, find the relation with the Gospel.
3)Whenever you listen to the message, pray for four things
①In order to listen to the Word
Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
②in order to believe the Word
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
③in order to hold on to God’s Word and to pray with it
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
④In order to bind the force of the darkness who blocks the Word
Mark 4:15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
conclusion
1)Remember Jesus Christ is in you!
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure (Jesus Christ) in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2)The method not to sin
Psalm 119:11 (ESV) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
-If we hold on to the Word of God in our heart, we can overcome the temptation of sin.