Sermon Title: Of Angels and Demons – The deceiver’s strategy of disinformation and the Fall of Man.
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” (Genesis 3:1-2)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In weeks past, we have learnt that God’s Destiny for Mankind is to flourish – in His Creation - through His Design of Mankind, created male and female in His image; and His perfect, original design of marriage, family and community.
Our fellowship with God is foremost and foundational; and must undergird our relationships with one another, and our stewardship over Creation.
The realization that our very existence is to bring Him joy, would compel us to surrender our lives utterly to Him - in the recognition that He alone, is God.
The key principle in our relationship with God is to lean not on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all of our ways and aspects of our lives. (Ref: Proverbs 3:5-6)
In everything that we do, we must seek God because He alone gave us life; and that He alone made it possible for us to even exist, and do the things we do.
Adam and the woman lived in that divine reality.
And yet, in came the serpent – the devil – who deceived and caused, Mankind to fall from glory.
Till this day, the forces of darkness continue to press this deadly offensive with the sole intent of leading every human away from God.
What do we know of this enemy whom we must resist?
As alluded to in this comparison, the serpent – who is “more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made” is a creature of God; created on the sixth day of Creation.
As God brought all the animals to the man to name, it is reasonable to believe that the serpent was so named by Adam; which signifies man’s status over the serpent in God’s order of creation; much to the devil’s displeasure .
God’s created order is both sacred and natural; and so, in its irreverent defiance against this order, “the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9).
Later in Revelation 20:2 when Christ returns with His raptured and resurrected saints, an angel would be tasked to seize that same “dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”
Regardless of its perceived power over the world, the devil succumbed to even the nameless angel of Revelations 20 whose sole allegiance is to the Lord God Almighty.
What do we know about angels and demons?
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
According to Scriptures, angels, and demons, are part of the universe God created.
They have been specifically created through Christ; and to serve Christ.
“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6)
God created angels as spirits; and they know to worship God for who He is.
Though they are made from a spiritual substance, they have the ability to manifest materially – which is observed in Eden when the devil appeared as the serpent – and they cannot be seen by humans unless God allows them to be revealed. (Ref: Matthew 28:5; Hebrews 13:2)
They have the ability to take possession of a human body; and in so doing, suppress the will of the rightful soul.
The Bible is filled with examples of such demonic possessions. (E.g. Matthew 8:28-33)
To this, our Lord Jesus had absolute authority over every demon and even sent His disciples “to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:14-15)
This very authority to drive out demons is bestowed upon the Lord’s disciples to this very day when in Mark 16:15-18 He commanded us:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
A true disciple of Christ never questions His authority to drive out demons; and obediently does so in the preaching of the Gospel.
Angels are known to be genderless; and they are not created to participate, nor partake, in any close, personal and intimate relationship as such is found in the sacrament of Marriage. (Ref: Matthew 22:30, Mark 12:25)
Their numbers are immeasurable – and when they appear together, the bible mentions that they number in the “thousands upon thousands”. (Ref: Hebrews 12:22)
Angels – whose name means “messenger”, “servants of God” or “sent ones” - are part of a very organised hierarchy; very structured and highly effective – and they are sent by God for certain duties on earth.
We know only two by name.
Michael is an “archangel”—a title that indicates authority over other angels.
He is also “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13, and leads God’s angelic army in the defeat of satan and his angels. (Ref: Revelation 12:7–8).
The Apostle Paul seemingly alludes to Michael in declaring that our Lord Jesus will return “with the archangel’s call” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Gabriel, the only other angel named in the Bible, is mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel; in Luke 1:19 saying to Zechariah, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God” and later in Luke 1:26-27, was sent to the virgin Mary reveal the birth of Christ through her.
Angels are powerful spiritual beings; pure spirits - originally created to carry out God’s Will in heaven.
They operate in an unlimited spiritual world which is beyond our human senses.
Angels are called “mighty ones who do his word” (Psalm 103:20), and are certainly “greater in might and power” than human beings (Ref: 2 Peter 2:11, Matthew 28:2).
As we read earlier, angels use their power to battle against satan’s demonic forces (Ref: Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7–8, 20:1–3).
During our earthly lives, we are “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7).
But as powerful as angels are, when our Lord Jesus returns, true followers of Christ will “judge angels” (Ref: 1 Corinthians 6:3); after having been restored to God’s glory.
Each angel is an individual person, and they are not omnipresent.
They can be obstructed, as we learn in Daniel 10:12–14:
“I (Gabriel) have come because of your words.
The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and came to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days.”
So although they are pure spirits, they are still finite creatures – like us - and are limited to being at one place at a time.
Also like us, they have a mind and a will; but because angels are pure spirits, their abilities of mind and will far surpasses ours - which are bound in the earthly or material realms.
A material brain is much less powerful than the spiritual insight our souls have – especially if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
So for us, when we sin, because our insight is limited by our brains, we do not have the ability to conceive and understand things as fully as possible at once.
Which is why, due to our limitations, God gives us such clear directions and explicit commands as in the case in Deuteronomy 30:19:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
But angels, being pure spirits, have no such limits.
Their minds are completely focused – unlimited and unaffected by the material world - such that they conceive and understand everything fully at once.
In a sense, every angel already has complete revelation of their own existence – in that, they absolutely know the fullest consequence of their actions to the very end.
So an angel cannot say, “I did not know that this would happen. I have a different perspective now.”
For an angel, a ‘do-over’ is impossible; because it is unnecessary.
They exist in perfect revelation of their choices.
Thus, when presented with a choice to be obedient to God or not, the angels who chose disobedience do so knowing exactly what they were doing, and the ramifications of their decision.
Satan and his demonic minions, are fallen angels who knowingly defy God; roaming the world causing the ruin of souls – till this day.
Fallen angels know better than to rebel directly against God; and they certainly know better than to try and take His place as Creator.
Their rebellion - due to pride – was against God’s Will to create Mankind in His Image and against Mankind’s glorified status in God’s order of Creation - which led directly to their work of deception and perversion of Creation.
The fallen angels sinned against God because they felt they could rise above or change the station God had willed and ordained for them.
Doesn’t this sound familiar?
Any challenge against God’s Will is the patent wickedness that is found at the very foundation of the sin of pride – the failure to recognize who God is.
Similarly, the woman’s disobedience in consuming the forbidden fruit constituted that same challenge against God’s Will and her God-ordained station in life.
She failed to recognise who God truly is.
What is at the core of humanity’s sins?
The lack of recognition of who God is.
Remember the centurion who recognised the Divine Lordship of Jesus Christ?
He recognized who Christ is; and for that, received the highest commendation.
When asked by our Lord, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied,
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
(Matthew 8:7-10)
To recognise God is to utterly surrender to His Will for your life.
The demons fell because of their defiance against the Will of God pertaining to the station and status of Mankind - who was made, male and female, in the image of God.
For them, they had no such distinction; nor are they known to exist for the distinct pleasure of the Creator God.
In this sense, the demons know their place.
Even in Eden, the serpent did not take on God, but devoted its defiance against Adam and the woman; much like how he was later offended by Job’s existence.
Fallen angels rebel against the Will of God knowing full well the outcome - and yet, they chose to defy the Will of God.
Which is why there is no salvation for demons.
There is no salvation plan for the angels who have fallen.
They are unsavable.
They know the Creator God; they know the full reason for their created existence; and they know the full consequences of their actions - and yet they chose to defy and subvert the Will of God.
Nevertheless, the fallen angels still keep their supernatural powers that come from being a pure spirit; which is why they can do things that seem like miracles to us.
Angels – who remain loyal to God - are sent to guide and protect us.
They, too, have supernatural powers – evidently greater than their fallen brethren. (Ref: Revelation 12:9)
It may be thought that each of us has a guardian angel - as implied in Psalm 91:11, "He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” and in Acts 12:15 when those praying for the Apostle Peter rationalized the impossibility of his supernatural rescue by telling Rhoda, "It must be his angel."
Our Lord Jesus speaks to this angelic reality in Matthew 18:10 saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Indeed.
The angels are amongst God’s most profound and mysterious creation because they possess both sublime knowledge and great power.
However, they are not made in the Creator’s image as we are.
Even though human beings are limited and weak compared to the pure spiritual power of an angel, Jesus took on the human form and nature in order to save us by dying on the Cross for the atonement of our sins.
In the jealousy of God’s love for us, mere humans, fallen angels have sought the murderous ruin of human lives in the ongoing spiritual battle for souls to this very day.
And their strategy remains the same – disinformation; through which they endeavor to deceive and pervert Mankind through the targeted corruption of the human form, marriage and family – as ordained by God in the beginning.
That is why anything that does not absolutely conform to God’s Order is outright demonic.
They is simply no middle ground.
Through disinformation, the demons deceive and pervert Mankind.
However, that is not the whole story.
By being misinformed, Mankind gets deceived and perverted.
“He said to the woman,
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent,
“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.
5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
(Genesis 3:1-5)
Did God really say that they must not touch the forbidden fruit lest they die?
No, God did not.
What God really said was, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)
The woman was misinformed (“you must not touch it”); and the devil capitalized on her misinformation, and compounded it with disinformation (“You will not certainly die... ...for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”) to deceive, and cause Mankind to fall short of the glory of God.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15)
How would Adam and the woman work and take care of the Garden, and yet, not touch the tree of knowledge?
They were to care for every tree in the Garden; but with the exception of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil which they were commanded not to eat from, they were permitted to eat from the fruit of every tree found in Eden – including the Tree of Life.
What is the difference between disinformation and misinformation?
Intent to harm.
To spread misinformation is to be innocently misinformed; and then mistakenly, spread the information.
While some misinformation can certainly bring about harm, or be weaponized to cause harm – as in this discourse between the devil and the woman - there is no original intent in the spread of misinformation to cause harm.
This happens to all of us, every day.
When we mishear, misplace, or misremember details, and we spread information that is wrong, that we honestly did not know was wrong - we are unconsciously spreading misinformation.
For example, if our worship service commences at 9:30 am; but because of your excitement to worship the Lord, you think that it starts at 8:30 am and then you start messaging the rest of us to come on time at 8:30 am - you are supplying misinformation.
You did not mean to, or even might have thought that the information was sound and true.
So to prevent misinformation is to simply do your due diligence to be informed correctly.
Today, with the extreme reach and speed of social media, misinformation spreads very easily, and very rapidly.
Once posted, almost nothing is forgotten; and is kept on record somewhere.
Due to the pervasiveness and invasiveness of the internet, there is no foreseeable solution for stopping the spread of misinformation; especially dangerous misinformation that unwittingly causes harm, and even deaths, during the onslaught of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
More tragically, in our present, worldwide climate of hardship and suffering, we see the spread of disinformation - which is information or misinformation deliberately weaponized to bring heinous harm to persons or to human society.
To spread disinformation is to spread wrong information on purpose; deliberately mislead; provide biased information; or manipulate the narrative or facts – with the intention of bringing harm to a person or groups of people.
Disinformation is a very powerful, destructive, and divisive tool that incites confusion, doubts, disorderliness and chaos – the very attributes of the devil.
During the Cold War, for instance, opposing countries have a deep interest in intentionally spreading disinformation.
When there is a calculated and co-ordinated plan of spreading disinformation, it is referred to as a disinformation campaign.
In one of my stints as a missionary, I was led to the Chi-ran Cho prefecture in Japan to share the Gospel.
While I was there, I visited the Chi-ran Peace Museum for the infamous and much-feared Kamikaze Pilots of War World Two.
This museum was originally the principal base of the kamikaze pilots during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
I witnessed the pristine order in which these doomed pilots left their base and barracks – with neatly calligraphed letters of courage and resolve to their loved ones during their final moments – and saw their photographs that captured their intense love for family, country and fellow countryman.
One of the Kamikaze pilots - Hayashi Ichizo – even wrote: "I will do a splendid job sinking an enemy aircraft carrier ... I read the Bible every day ... I will sing a hymn as I dive on an enemy vessel." (Ohnuki-Tierney, Emiko. Kamikaze Diaries: Reflections of Japanese Student Soldiers. University of Chicago Press. pp. 173–174.)
Beneath the historical narrative, it is widely believed that the citizens and soldiers of the Japanese empire were tragically disinformed by their own leaders that their way of life was under attack; an existential threat that meant that their best defense was offense.
The disinformation campaign instigated by a few resulted in a war campaign that saw three million Japanese lives loss and the atomic bombings and decimation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945.
To know the difference between fact and fiction is literally an outcome that would determine life and death.
Our present age is testament to such an vital and monumental undertaking.
To sort out fact from fiction, we must be informed.
In its campaign of disinformation, the devil promised the woman something that God had already given her – the likeness of God.
She was already ‘like’ God; and certainly had no need of any supplement to attain that which she already was.
She did not even need to engage the devil in conversation.
All she needed to do was to wait upon the Lord – even in her doubts.
In every temptation, cease all engagement with the devil; wait only upon the Lord.
To be disinformed, or misinformed is to live a life fraught with peril.
The child of God is certain of His love, and as a result certain in utter obedience unto Him.
God was scheduled to come by the Garden.
Adam and the woman only needed to wait.
But the disinformation was too convincing; and the misinformation was too entrenched in the woman’s mind to have changed the course of human history.
Never believe that in an unfallen state, you will not be tempted.
The moment the devil began with the words, “did God really say…”, the offensive of disinformation has commenced.
Be alert!
If in doubt, do nothing except wait upon the Lord!
“6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.
She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6)
Do we have need of a supplement to know good and evil?
Just as the woman should have done in this situation - open your eyes and have the courage to see the evil before you.
It is never a question of being ‘like’ God or ‘knowing’ good and evil because deep in our hearts, we know that He, alone, is God; and that all true wisdom is only attained directly from Him.
The real question - while in temptation - is if we are willing to recognize and call out evil for what it is.
Even with our Lord Jesus Christ, disinformation was the devil’s key strategy:
“The tempter came to him and said,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered,
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’(Ref: Deuteronomy 8:3)” (Matthew 4:3-4)
Whereupon the Lord’s command that forbids the consumption of the fruit of knowledge, that particular fruit should have been ‘stones’ in the minds of His Children.
Stones are not to be consumed.
And we would know what are the stones if we live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Ref: Matthew 4:4)
Mankind didn’t need the fruit to know good and evil; God had already given them the ability to discern evil; but they refused to recognize the face of evil.
We know they had the ability to discern evil all along because they were able to see it in themselves when they disobeyed God and lost their glory.
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked;” (Genesis 3:7)
The Psalmist sings in Psalm 121:1-2,
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
For everything, our eyes must always be upon the Lord.
Adam and the woman succumbed to the most subversive and wicked form of disinformation: “You will not certainly die.”
Let us be very clear.
Apart from God, we will certainly die. (John 15:4-6)
Through disinformation supplied by the devil – whose evil intent is to make mankind fall short of the glory of God – “the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom,”
At this precise moment in human history, there were two human races - one fallen, and one unfallen.
However, Adam couldn’t bear the separation of the one whom he had called “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23); and so, he ate the fruit.
Notice that Adam was with the woman.
Throughout the devil’s campaign of disinformation, Adam “who was with her” (Genesis 3:6) meant that even if he was not with her at the beginning of the conversation, sometime during the conversation, he joined them, but remained silent throughout the time that the serpent was talking to the woman.
Why did he not stand in from of the woman? Why did he allow the conversation to continue? Why did he not silence the serpent with the very words that God gave him? Why did he not cast the serpent out from the Garden?
Regardless, Adam fell into sin with the woman.
Speculations abound as to why Adam fell.
Perhaps he was also convinced by the disinformation and deception of the devil.
Or even if he was not convinced, he loved the woman so much that he couldn’t bear to leave her alone in her fallenness, choosing to forgo his own glory.
Mankind fell because of disobedience.
Through disinformation, the forces of darkness ruined mankind that day, every day since.
Overcoming the deceiver and it’s strategy of disinformation.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
To overcome the devil and to repel disinformation, the child of God must strive daily to be a true worshiper of the living God – to be obedient to the Will of God through the Power of the Holy Spirit and be solely informed in the truth of God.
Do not rely on hearsay when it comes to the matters of God; come before the Lord and live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Know the eternal value and the supreme authority of the Word of God when uttered in the Power of the Holy Spirit – for it has the divine power to compel your obedience to Christ and to demolish the attacks of the evil one.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 )
Remember 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Understanding is superfluous and vanity when it comes to the Will of God; obedience to His Will is all that is required.
To this, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to be resolute in creating and guarding the atmosphere of obedience unto God in the fellowship of believers:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Keep away from them.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:17-19)
Know that: He, alone, is God.
Be utterly obedient to Him.
To submit to God, and to surrender to His Will for our lives and His Created order of things - is to recognize the Supremacy and Sovereignty of God.
When faced with temptation; look only to God for help.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
When faced with temptation; know that, in Christ, you can overcome.
"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4 )
When faced with temptation; walk away.
The Apostle Paul counsels us:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Finally, believe in Christ’s Supreme Authority over all Creation; and believe in His Authority that He has bestowed upon us – that as His disciples, we have absolute authority over the demons.
"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." (Luke 10:19)
Receive the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Trust Him with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.
Our Lord said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Acknowledge Him in all of your ways; and live eternally in His Peace.
For ultimately, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)
Wait upon the Lord.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord, I am Your child; and I acknowledge Your Sovereignty over all of Creation, and over my life.
I believe that You have given me “authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” and nothing shall hurt me. (Luke 10:19)
No weapon that is formed against me will prosper, and every tongue that accuses me in judgment, You will condemn – for this the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and our vindication is from You! (Ref: Isaiah 54:17)
Holy Spirit, change my heart, and renew my mind – that Your Love, Sovereignty and Kingdom will be my only reality.
Forgive my doubts, and for the times that I sinned against You, or caused others to stumble and fall.
Help me be strong and courageous to call out evil and injustice for what it is – because You are the Lord my God, who is with me wherever I go. (Ref: Joshua 1:9)
When faced with evil, empower me to overcome and obstruct their schemes of darkness through disinformation or the hardened hearts that choose to remain misinformed of Your Grace and Salvific Love.
In the Spirit’s Power and by Your Truth, I have been set free from the bondages of sin and overcome the forces of evil.
Yes, Lord! The battle, every battle, belongs to You!
I will not be afraid; nor will I be discouraged – for I know that my help comes from the Maker of the heaven and earth. (Ref: Psalm 121:1-2)
May my life belong solely to You; and be solely in Your Service – and may I be utterly obedient to You alone, through Christ Jesus – our Lord and Saviour.
Lord, I trust You; and I love You with all my heart.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” (Genesis 3:1-2)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In weeks past, we have learnt that God’s Destiny for Mankind is to flourish – in His Creation - through His Design of Mankind, created male and female in His image; and His perfect, original design of marriage, family and community.
Our fellowship with God is foremost and foundational; and must undergird our relationships with one another, and our stewardship over Creation.
The realization that our very existence is to bring Him joy, would compel us to surrender our lives utterly to Him - in the recognition that He alone, is God.
The key principle in our relationship with God is to lean not on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all of our ways and aspects of our lives. (Ref: Proverbs 3:5-6)
In everything that we do, we must seek God because He alone gave us life; and that He alone made it possible for us to even exist, and do the things we do.
Adam and the woman lived in that divine reality.
And yet, in came the serpent – the devil – who deceived and caused, Mankind to fall from glory.
Till this day, the forces of darkness continue to press this deadly offensive with the sole intent of leading every human away from God.
What do we know of this enemy whom we must resist?
As alluded to in this comparison, the serpent – who is “more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made” is a creature of God; created on the sixth day of Creation.
As God brought all the animals to the man to name, it is reasonable to believe that the serpent was so named by Adam; which signifies man’s status over the serpent in God’s order of creation; much to the devil’s displeasure .
God’s created order is both sacred and natural; and so, in its irreverent defiance against this order, “the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9).
Later in Revelation 20:2 when Christ returns with His raptured and resurrected saints, an angel would be tasked to seize that same “dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”
Regardless of its perceived power over the world, the devil succumbed to even the nameless angel of Revelations 20 whose sole allegiance is to the Lord God Almighty.
What do we know about angels and demons?
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
According to Scriptures, angels, and demons, are part of the universe God created.
They have been specifically created through Christ; and to serve Christ.
“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6)
God created angels as spirits; and they know to worship God for who He is.
Though they are made from a spiritual substance, they have the ability to manifest materially – which is observed in Eden when the devil appeared as the serpent – and they cannot be seen by humans unless God allows them to be revealed. (Ref: Matthew 28:5; Hebrews 13:2)
They have the ability to take possession of a human body; and in so doing, suppress the will of the rightful soul.
The Bible is filled with examples of such demonic possessions. (E.g. Matthew 8:28-33)
To this, our Lord Jesus had absolute authority over every demon and even sent His disciples “to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:14-15)
This very authority to drive out demons is bestowed upon the Lord’s disciples to this very day when in Mark 16:15-18 He commanded us:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
A true disciple of Christ never questions His authority to drive out demons; and obediently does so in the preaching of the Gospel.
Angels are known to be genderless; and they are not created to participate, nor partake, in any close, personal and intimate relationship as such is found in the sacrament of Marriage. (Ref: Matthew 22:30, Mark 12:25)
Their numbers are immeasurable – and when they appear together, the bible mentions that they number in the “thousands upon thousands”. (Ref: Hebrews 12:22)
Angels – whose name means “messenger”, “servants of God” or “sent ones” - are part of a very organised hierarchy; very structured and highly effective – and they are sent by God for certain duties on earth.
We know only two by name.
Michael is an “archangel”—a title that indicates authority over other angels.
He is also “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13, and leads God’s angelic army in the defeat of satan and his angels. (Ref: Revelation 12:7–8).
The Apostle Paul seemingly alludes to Michael in declaring that our Lord Jesus will return “with the archangel’s call” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Gabriel, the only other angel named in the Bible, is mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel; in Luke 1:19 saying to Zechariah, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God” and later in Luke 1:26-27, was sent to the virgin Mary reveal the birth of Christ through her.
Angels are powerful spiritual beings; pure spirits - originally created to carry out God’s Will in heaven.
They operate in an unlimited spiritual world which is beyond our human senses.
Angels are called “mighty ones who do his word” (Psalm 103:20), and are certainly “greater in might and power” than human beings (Ref: 2 Peter 2:11, Matthew 28:2).
As we read earlier, angels use their power to battle against satan’s demonic forces (Ref: Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7–8, 20:1–3).
During our earthly lives, we are “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7).
But as powerful as angels are, when our Lord Jesus returns, true followers of Christ will “judge angels” (Ref: 1 Corinthians 6:3); after having been restored to God’s glory.
Each angel is an individual person, and they are not omnipresent.
They can be obstructed, as we learn in Daniel 10:12–14:
“I (Gabriel) have come because of your words.
The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and came to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days.”
So although they are pure spirits, they are still finite creatures – like us - and are limited to being at one place at a time.
Also like us, they have a mind and a will; but because angels are pure spirits, their abilities of mind and will far surpasses ours - which are bound in the earthly or material realms.
A material brain is much less powerful than the spiritual insight our souls have – especially if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
So for us, when we sin, because our insight is limited by our brains, we do not have the ability to conceive and understand things as fully as possible at once.
Which is why, due to our limitations, God gives us such clear directions and explicit commands as in the case in Deuteronomy 30:19:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
But angels, being pure spirits, have no such limits.
Their minds are completely focused – unlimited and unaffected by the material world - such that they conceive and understand everything fully at once.
In a sense, every angel already has complete revelation of their own existence – in that, they absolutely know the fullest consequence of their actions to the very end.
So an angel cannot say, “I did not know that this would happen. I have a different perspective now.”
For an angel, a ‘do-over’ is impossible; because it is unnecessary.
They exist in perfect revelation of their choices.
Thus, when presented with a choice to be obedient to God or not, the angels who chose disobedience do so knowing exactly what they were doing, and the ramifications of their decision.
Satan and his demonic minions, are fallen angels who knowingly defy God; roaming the world causing the ruin of souls – till this day.
Fallen angels know better than to rebel directly against God; and they certainly know better than to try and take His place as Creator.
Their rebellion - due to pride – was against God’s Will to create Mankind in His Image and against Mankind’s glorified status in God’s order of Creation - which led directly to their work of deception and perversion of Creation.
The fallen angels sinned against God because they felt they could rise above or change the station God had willed and ordained for them.
Doesn’t this sound familiar?
Any challenge against God’s Will is the patent wickedness that is found at the very foundation of the sin of pride – the failure to recognize who God is.
Similarly, the woman’s disobedience in consuming the forbidden fruit constituted that same challenge against God’s Will and her God-ordained station in life.
She failed to recognise who God truly is.
What is at the core of humanity’s sins?
The lack of recognition of who God is.
Remember the centurion who recognised the Divine Lordship of Jesus Christ?
He recognized who Christ is; and for that, received the highest commendation.
When asked by our Lord, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied,
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
(Matthew 8:7-10)
To recognise God is to utterly surrender to His Will for your life.
The demons fell because of their defiance against the Will of God pertaining to the station and status of Mankind - who was made, male and female, in the image of God.
For them, they had no such distinction; nor are they known to exist for the distinct pleasure of the Creator God.
In this sense, the demons know their place.
Even in Eden, the serpent did not take on God, but devoted its defiance against Adam and the woman; much like how he was later offended by Job’s existence.
Fallen angels rebel against the Will of God knowing full well the outcome - and yet, they chose to defy the Will of God.
Which is why there is no salvation for demons.
There is no salvation plan for the angels who have fallen.
They are unsavable.
They know the Creator God; they know the full reason for their created existence; and they know the full consequences of their actions - and yet they chose to defy and subvert the Will of God.
Nevertheless, the fallen angels still keep their supernatural powers that come from being a pure spirit; which is why they can do things that seem like miracles to us.
Angels – who remain loyal to God - are sent to guide and protect us.
They, too, have supernatural powers – evidently greater than their fallen brethren. (Ref: Revelation 12:9)
It may be thought that each of us has a guardian angel - as implied in Psalm 91:11, "He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” and in Acts 12:15 when those praying for the Apostle Peter rationalized the impossibility of his supernatural rescue by telling Rhoda, "It must be his angel."
Our Lord Jesus speaks to this angelic reality in Matthew 18:10 saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Indeed.
The angels are amongst God’s most profound and mysterious creation because they possess both sublime knowledge and great power.
However, they are not made in the Creator’s image as we are.
Even though human beings are limited and weak compared to the pure spiritual power of an angel, Jesus took on the human form and nature in order to save us by dying on the Cross for the atonement of our sins.
In the jealousy of God’s love for us, mere humans, fallen angels have sought the murderous ruin of human lives in the ongoing spiritual battle for souls to this very day.
And their strategy remains the same – disinformation; through which they endeavor to deceive and pervert Mankind through the targeted corruption of the human form, marriage and family – as ordained by God in the beginning.
That is why anything that does not absolutely conform to God’s Order is outright demonic.
They is simply no middle ground.
Through disinformation, the demons deceive and pervert Mankind.
However, that is not the whole story.
By being misinformed, Mankind gets deceived and perverted.
“He said to the woman,
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent,
“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.
5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
(Genesis 3:1-5)
Did God really say that they must not touch the forbidden fruit lest they die?
No, God did not.
What God really said was, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)
The woman was misinformed (“you must not touch it”); and the devil capitalized on her misinformation, and compounded it with disinformation (“You will not certainly die... ...for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”) to deceive, and cause Mankind to fall short of the glory of God.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15)
How would Adam and the woman work and take care of the Garden, and yet, not touch the tree of knowledge?
They were to care for every tree in the Garden; but with the exception of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil which they were commanded not to eat from, they were permitted to eat from the fruit of every tree found in Eden – including the Tree of Life.
What is the difference between disinformation and misinformation?
Intent to harm.
To spread misinformation is to be innocently misinformed; and then mistakenly, spread the information.
While some misinformation can certainly bring about harm, or be weaponized to cause harm – as in this discourse between the devil and the woman - there is no original intent in the spread of misinformation to cause harm.
This happens to all of us, every day.
When we mishear, misplace, or misremember details, and we spread information that is wrong, that we honestly did not know was wrong - we are unconsciously spreading misinformation.
For example, if our worship service commences at 9:30 am; but because of your excitement to worship the Lord, you think that it starts at 8:30 am and then you start messaging the rest of us to come on time at 8:30 am - you are supplying misinformation.
You did not mean to, or even might have thought that the information was sound and true.
So to prevent misinformation is to simply do your due diligence to be informed correctly.
Today, with the extreme reach and speed of social media, misinformation spreads very easily, and very rapidly.
Once posted, almost nothing is forgotten; and is kept on record somewhere.
Due to the pervasiveness and invasiveness of the internet, there is no foreseeable solution for stopping the spread of misinformation; especially dangerous misinformation that unwittingly causes harm, and even deaths, during the onslaught of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
More tragically, in our present, worldwide climate of hardship and suffering, we see the spread of disinformation - which is information or misinformation deliberately weaponized to bring heinous harm to persons or to human society.
To spread disinformation is to spread wrong information on purpose; deliberately mislead; provide biased information; or manipulate the narrative or facts – with the intention of bringing harm to a person or groups of people.
Disinformation is a very powerful, destructive, and divisive tool that incites confusion, doubts, disorderliness and chaos – the very attributes of the devil.
During the Cold War, for instance, opposing countries have a deep interest in intentionally spreading disinformation.
When there is a calculated and co-ordinated plan of spreading disinformation, it is referred to as a disinformation campaign.
In one of my stints as a missionary, I was led to the Chi-ran Cho prefecture in Japan to share the Gospel.
While I was there, I visited the Chi-ran Peace Museum for the infamous and much-feared Kamikaze Pilots of War World Two.
This museum was originally the principal base of the kamikaze pilots during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
I witnessed the pristine order in which these doomed pilots left their base and barracks – with neatly calligraphed letters of courage and resolve to their loved ones during their final moments – and saw their photographs that captured their intense love for family, country and fellow countryman.
One of the Kamikaze pilots - Hayashi Ichizo – even wrote: "I will do a splendid job sinking an enemy aircraft carrier ... I read the Bible every day ... I will sing a hymn as I dive on an enemy vessel." (Ohnuki-Tierney, Emiko. Kamikaze Diaries: Reflections of Japanese Student Soldiers. University of Chicago Press. pp. 173–174.)
Beneath the historical narrative, it is widely believed that the citizens and soldiers of the Japanese empire were tragically disinformed by their own leaders that their way of life was under attack; an existential threat that meant that their best defense was offense.
The disinformation campaign instigated by a few resulted in a war campaign that saw three million Japanese lives loss and the atomic bombings and decimation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945.
To know the difference between fact and fiction is literally an outcome that would determine life and death.
Our present age is testament to such an vital and monumental undertaking.
To sort out fact from fiction, we must be informed.
In its campaign of disinformation, the devil promised the woman something that God had already given her – the likeness of God.
She was already ‘like’ God; and certainly had no need of any supplement to attain that which she already was.
She did not even need to engage the devil in conversation.
All she needed to do was to wait upon the Lord – even in her doubts.
In every temptation, cease all engagement with the devil; wait only upon the Lord.
To be disinformed, or misinformed is to live a life fraught with peril.
The child of God is certain of His love, and as a result certain in utter obedience unto Him.
God was scheduled to come by the Garden.
Adam and the woman only needed to wait.
But the disinformation was too convincing; and the misinformation was too entrenched in the woman’s mind to have changed the course of human history.
Never believe that in an unfallen state, you will not be tempted.
The moment the devil began with the words, “did God really say…”, the offensive of disinformation has commenced.
Be alert!
If in doubt, do nothing except wait upon the Lord!
“6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.
She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6)
Do we have need of a supplement to know good and evil?
Just as the woman should have done in this situation - open your eyes and have the courage to see the evil before you.
It is never a question of being ‘like’ God or ‘knowing’ good and evil because deep in our hearts, we know that He, alone, is God; and that all true wisdom is only attained directly from Him.
The real question - while in temptation - is if we are willing to recognize and call out evil for what it is.
Even with our Lord Jesus Christ, disinformation was the devil’s key strategy:
“The tempter came to him and said,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered,
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’(Ref: Deuteronomy 8:3)” (Matthew 4:3-4)
Whereupon the Lord’s command that forbids the consumption of the fruit of knowledge, that particular fruit should have been ‘stones’ in the minds of His Children.
Stones are not to be consumed.
And we would know what are the stones if we live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Ref: Matthew 4:4)
Mankind didn’t need the fruit to know good and evil; God had already given them the ability to discern evil; but they refused to recognize the face of evil.
We know they had the ability to discern evil all along because they were able to see it in themselves when they disobeyed God and lost their glory.
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked;” (Genesis 3:7)
The Psalmist sings in Psalm 121:1-2,
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
For everything, our eyes must always be upon the Lord.
Adam and the woman succumbed to the most subversive and wicked form of disinformation: “You will not certainly die.”
Let us be very clear.
Apart from God, we will certainly die. (John 15:4-6)
Through disinformation supplied by the devil – whose evil intent is to make mankind fall short of the glory of God – “the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom,”
At this precise moment in human history, there were two human races - one fallen, and one unfallen.
However, Adam couldn’t bear the separation of the one whom he had called “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23); and so, he ate the fruit.
Notice that Adam was with the woman.
Throughout the devil’s campaign of disinformation, Adam “who was with her” (Genesis 3:6) meant that even if he was not with her at the beginning of the conversation, sometime during the conversation, he joined them, but remained silent throughout the time that the serpent was talking to the woman.
Why did he not stand in from of the woman? Why did he allow the conversation to continue? Why did he not silence the serpent with the very words that God gave him? Why did he not cast the serpent out from the Garden?
Regardless, Adam fell into sin with the woman.
Speculations abound as to why Adam fell.
Perhaps he was also convinced by the disinformation and deception of the devil.
Or even if he was not convinced, he loved the woman so much that he couldn’t bear to leave her alone in her fallenness, choosing to forgo his own glory.
Mankind fell because of disobedience.
Through disinformation, the forces of darkness ruined mankind that day, every day since.
Overcoming the deceiver and it’s strategy of disinformation.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
To overcome the devil and to repel disinformation, the child of God must strive daily to be a true worshiper of the living God – to be obedient to the Will of God through the Power of the Holy Spirit and be solely informed in the truth of God.
Do not rely on hearsay when it comes to the matters of God; come before the Lord and live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Know the eternal value and the supreme authority of the Word of God when uttered in the Power of the Holy Spirit – for it has the divine power to compel your obedience to Christ and to demolish the attacks of the evil one.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 )
Remember 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Understanding is superfluous and vanity when it comes to the Will of God; obedience to His Will is all that is required.
To this, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to be resolute in creating and guarding the atmosphere of obedience unto God in the fellowship of believers:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Keep away from them.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:17-19)
Know that: He, alone, is God.
Be utterly obedient to Him.
To submit to God, and to surrender to His Will for our lives and His Created order of things - is to recognize the Supremacy and Sovereignty of God.
When faced with temptation; look only to God for help.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
When faced with temptation; know that, in Christ, you can overcome.
"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4 )
When faced with temptation; walk away.
The Apostle Paul counsels us:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Finally, believe in Christ’s Supreme Authority over all Creation; and believe in His Authority that He has bestowed upon us – that as His disciples, we have absolute authority over the demons.
"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." (Luke 10:19)
Receive the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Trust Him with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.
Our Lord said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Acknowledge Him in all of your ways; and live eternally in His Peace.
For ultimately, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)
Wait upon the Lord.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord, I am Your child; and I acknowledge Your Sovereignty over all of Creation, and over my life.
I believe that You have given me “authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” and nothing shall hurt me. (Luke 10:19)
No weapon that is formed against me will prosper, and every tongue that accuses me in judgment, You will condemn – for this the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and our vindication is from You! (Ref: Isaiah 54:17)
Holy Spirit, change my heart, and renew my mind – that Your Love, Sovereignty and Kingdom will be my only reality.
Forgive my doubts, and for the times that I sinned against You, or caused others to stumble and fall.
Help me be strong and courageous to call out evil and injustice for what it is – because You are the Lord my God, who is with me wherever I go. (Ref: Joshua 1:9)
When faced with evil, empower me to overcome and obstruct their schemes of darkness through disinformation or the hardened hearts that choose to remain misinformed of Your Grace and Salvific Love.
In the Spirit’s Power and by Your Truth, I have been set free from the bondages of sin and overcome the forces of evil.
Yes, Lord! The battle, every battle, belongs to You!
I will not be afraid; nor will I be discouraged – for I know that my help comes from the Maker of the heaven and earth. (Ref: Psalm 121:1-2)
May my life belong solely to You; and be solely in Your Service – and may I be utterly obedient to You alone, through Christ Jesus – our Lord and Saviour.
Lord, I trust You; and I love You with all my heart.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.