Yes, Satan deceived Eve by directly contradicting God's command, telling her she would not surely die if she ate the forbidden fruit.
Scripture records that the serpent asked Eve, 'Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?' (Genesis 3:1), planting doubt. He then flatly denied God's warning, saying, 'Ye shall not surely die' (Genesis 3:4). Les Feldick emphasizes that this was the first lie, originating from the devil, who is 'the father of it' (John 8:44).
Genesis 3:1 — This verse records the serpent's first question to Eve, which planted doubt in God's word.
Genesis 3:4 — This verse shows Satan directly contradicting God's command, telling Eve she would not die.
In Genesis 3:1, the serpent, whom Scripture identifies as the devil (Revelation 12:9), asked Eve, 'Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?' This question was designed to cast doubt on God's word. Then in Genesis 3:4, the serpent directly contradicted God: 'And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.' These verses reveal that Satan's deception involved questioning God's command and then flatly denying the promised consequences. Jesus later described the devil as 'a liar, and the father of it' (John 8:44), indicating that deception is his very nature. The scriptural record shows that Eve was deceived by this lie, as she then 'saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise' (Genesis 3:6).
Les Feldick explains that Satan approached Eve in the form of a subtle and beautiful serpent, using the best available creature to deceive her. He points out that the serpent was 'more subtle than any beast of the field' (Genesis 3:1), meaning it was deceptive, sly, and intelligent—attributes Satan used to his advantage. According to Les, Satan's strategy was to plant doubt in Eve's mind by asking, 'Hath God said?' (Genesis 3:1). Les teaches that Satan capitalized on Eve's dissatisfaction, even though she lived in paradise with no sickness, death, or discomfort. He used the only thing she lacked—the ability to be 'like God'—to appeal to her pride. Les notes that Eve was not surprised when the serpent spoke, suggesting that the serpent was capable of speech and that Eve was not shocked by this unusual occurrence. The deception was complete when Eve saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise (Genesis 3:6), and she took and ate. Les emphasizes that this pattern of doubt, deception, and pride is still used by Satan today.
Les Feldick teaches that the serpent was 'more subtle than any beast of the field' (Genesis 3:1), meaning it was deceptive, sly, and intelligent. He suggests it was a beautiful creature, possibly walking upright and capable of speaking, which is why Eve was not shocked when it addressed her. Les states that Satan used the best creature available to him, a pattern he continues today.
Les Feldick explains that Eve, despite living in paradise, was not satisfied and desired something more. Satan detected this and tempted her with the idea that she could be 'like God.' This appealed to her pride, as she saw that the tree was 'good for food,' 'pleasant to the eyes,' and 'to be desired to make one wise' (Genesis 3:6). Les emphasizes that this is a common tactic of Satan, who glamorizes things that are destructive.
Satan as the Father of Lies
Les teaches that the devil is the originator of every lie, quoting John 8:44, which says he is a liar and the father of it.
Subtlety of the Serpent
Les explains that the serpent was subtle, deceptive, sly, and intelligent, and that Satan used the best creature available to him.
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But now Satan is making it look as though that's something to be desired. And again, bring it into our own contemporary situation. What can Satan do with the things of this world that do nothing but destroy us? Oh, he can glamorize it. He can make it look as though if you aren't doing that, you're not living. Isn't it true? Oh, and it'll do nothing but just tear people down.
Satan Uses the Best
Les notes that Satan always uses the best he can get his hands on, and that the serpent was beautiful and upright, the most subtle of all creatures.
Planting Doubt
Les emphasizes that Satan's primary approach is to plant doubt, as seen when he asked Eve, 'Hath God said?'
Appeal to Pride
Les explains that Eve was not satisfied despite her perfect environment, and that Satan appealed to her pride by suggesting she could be as wise as God.
The Only Choice Left
Les points out that Satan could not tempt Adam and Eve with anything they already had, so he used the only thing they lacked: the ability to be like God.
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And then He can pick up and finish where He left off with the nation of Israel. In the minute or two that we have left, let's come back to II Corinthians chapter 11, and so verse 3, now He again says, that even as the serpent beguiled Eve in that first marital union in the Garden, Adam and Eve, that as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simpli…
Genesis 3:1: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
This verse introduces the serpent and his deceptive question to Eve, which plants doubt about God's command.
Genesis 3:4: And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
This is the direct lie where Satan contradicts God's warning, telling Eve that she will not die.
Genesis 3:6: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
This verse shows Eve's decision to eat the fruit after being deceived, highlighting the appeal to her senses and pride.
John 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Jesus identifies the devil as the father of lies, which supports the nature of the deception in the Garden.
Satan told Eve that she would not surely die if she ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:4). This directly contradicted God's command that she would die. This lie originated from Satan, who is described as the father of lies (John 8:44).
Les Feldick explains that Satan planted doubt in Eve's mind by questioning God's word. He appealed to her pride and desire to be like God, making the forbidden fruit seem desirable (Genesis 3:6). Eve was not satisfied with her perfect environment and was vulnerable to the serpent's deceptive offer.
Yes, the Bible identifies the serpent as the devil and Satan (Revelation 12:9). Les Feldick teaches that Satan used the serpent, a subtle and beautiful creature, to deceive Eve.
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