Satan tempted Adam and Eve to exercise their free will by appealing to the desire to be like God, thus challenging their loyalty to their Creator.
Because Adam and Eve lived in perfect paradise lacking nothing, Satan's only ploy was to offer them what they did not have: deity. By suggesting they could 'be like God,' he appealed to their pride and intellect, prompting Eve to eat and Adam to join her, demonstrating their choice to follow the adversary over God.
Genesis 3:6 — This verse records the moment Eve saw the tree, desired it for wisdom, and ate, showing the outcome of Satan's temptation.
In Genesis 3:1-6, the serpent (Satan) questioned Eve about God's command and then contradicted it, saying, 'Ye shall not surely die' (Genesis 3:4). He promised that on the day they ate, 'your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil' (Genesis 3:5). Then verse 6 says: '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.'
Les Feldick teaches that Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment—no sickness, death, or unsatisfied needs—so Satan could not entice them with earthly improvements. Instead, he used the one thing they lacked: the possibility of being like God. This appeal to pride and desire for power was the basis of the whole temptation. Les emphasizes that this temptation was necessary to give humanity a real choice, exercising their free will to either remain faithful to God or follow Satan. This pattern of temptation (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life) is universal and still applies today.
Les Feldick explains that Satan's appeal to Eve was 'You can be like God.' Since Eve already had a perfect husband and lived in paradise, the only thing she didn't have was God's power and wisdom. This appealed to her pride and intellect, as she saw the tree as 'desired to make one wise' (Genesis 3:6).
Les Feldick identifies three areas of temptation that everyone faces: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. In Eve's case, the fruit was good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasant to the eye (lust of the eyes), and desired to make one wise (pride of life). Satan used these universal appeals to tempt her, and he still uses them today.
Les Feldick teaches that for free will to be meaningful, there must be real choices. Because Adam and Eve had everything perfect, God allowed Satan to present an alternative option—to be like God—so that their decision to obey or disobey would be genuine. This pattern is also seen in the future Millennium when Satan will be released to test new generations.
Revelation 20 Explained: Satan Bound, the Millennium & Final Judgment
pagan people, with no more knowledge of God left on the earth. It just seems as though everyone has gone under the pagan influence that began at the time of Abraham. A difference? Absolutely! Everything is different. God is going to turn His back on all the other nations of the world, and He's going to deal with the one little nation that comes from this man, Abraham.
Eve's Temptation: The Best Husband
Les explains that Eve already had the best husband (Adam, sinless) and a good life, making Satan's offer of 'something more' the only lure.
Be Like God
Les says Satan's ploy was the phrase 'You can be like God,' offering deity as the only thing Eve didn't have, and this will repeat in the Millennium.
Appeal to Pride and Power
Les shows that the basis of Eve's temptation was the offer to be like God, which would give her power, appealing to her pride—a temptation still used today.
Desire for Wisdom
Les notes Eve saw the tree as 'desired to make one wise,' appealing to her pride to be as wise as God, despite having everything good.
Three Areas of Temptation
Les connects Eve's temptation to lust of the eye and pride of life, showing how Satan used visual and ego appeals.
Contemplating the Forbidden
Les describes Eve's contemplation of the tree, noting that Satan glamorized what God had forbidden, a lie that began in the garden.
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You tell a little kid, you can't go through that door, and as soon as you turn your back to him, what's he going to try and do? He's going to look behind it and now watch behind there that I can't go through it. But, see, we're no different. Just as soon as God says, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery, what does the whole human nature say? Hey, I'm going to try it.
Genesis 3:5: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
This verse shows Satan's direct lie promising equality with God, which is the core of his temptation.
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 reaction to Satan's temptation, revealing the desires of the flesh, eye, and pride.
Satan's main temptation was to tell Eve that she could be like God, knowing good and evil. Since she already had a perfect life, the only thing she lacked was divine power and wisdom, which appealed to her pride.
Les Feldick teaches that they had free will, which required a real choice. The temptation presented an alternative to obedience, testing whether they would remain faithful to God or choose the adversary's offer.
Les Feldick says that everyone faces the same three areas: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. Satan uses these to tempt us to go against God's will, just as he did with Eve.
Watch the Teaching: Revelation 20 Explained: Satan Bound, the Millennium & Final Judgment