It all started in the Garden. In that perfect sinless environment, Satan came to Adam and Eve. There in the Garden, the deceiver twisted the truth and convinced Adam and Eve that God was holding out on them. They bought the lie. When God confronted Eve and asked, “What is this that you have done?” she replied, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). Through the deceiver, sin and death entered humanity. That’s why Jesus says Satan is a murderer and a liar “from the beginning.”

John 8:44
…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

In Romans 5:12, Paul explains that sin and death came through one man, and then death “spread to all men because all sinned.” This death through sin is why Jesus called Satan a murderer. He is “the author of the fall of Adam, by which death came on man.”[1] Satan is the originator of all sin and death. And he didn’t stop after his deception in the Garden.

Today, Satan “disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), continuing to deceive us with his lies. He does this in many ways. Here are a few examples.

Ages in History. Throughout history, Satan has led humankind down the path opposed to God’s truth. From the persecutions in the early centuries to the Scientific Revolution to the Age of Enlightenment that centered on human happiness and the pursuit of knowledge by human reasoning, we see Satan has dispersed his lies. The present set of lies is found in postmodern humanism that proposes there is no absolute truth. Truth, in this philosophy, is determined by human wants and needs.

Heretical Teaching. The New Testament is filled with warnings about false teachers. Paul called out men who were “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). Erroneous teaching continues today in salvation by works, prosperity theology, acceptance of same-sex relationships, gender confusion, and a long list of many leaders who misrepresent the truth. This teaching is put forth in a persuasive way. Paul said, “it is no surprise if [Satan’s] servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15).

Personal Agenda. Through the world, the flesh, and the devil, every believer is under attack. And often, the pride that we carry in our hearts causes us to accept the lie that we deserve to be happy and satisfied with temporal things. This leads us to follow our hearts’ desires rather than submit to the love of our souls.

Father,
Help me to not buy the lies of Satan. Help me know your Word and live it out, even if obedience means sacrifice or suffering. Give me your strength to stand firm in the truth—the only thing that can give me true freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] Robert James Utley, The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John, vol. Volume 4, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999), 86.