The Tragedy of Sin Lesson 3

The Bible gives us just a glimpse of what it will be like to live in God’s new world, but it mostly tells us what it will not be like and what will be missing. When all of the experiences of life that shatter our hopes and dreams are gone, the joys of eternal happiness will stretch out before us in unending panorama. What a privilege it will be to see Jesus face-to-face and personally thank Him for providing salvation and an opportunity to see the beauties of the new world.

But we must remember that there is an evil force bent on our destruction. We see this supernatural power revealed in the increasing violence, hatred, and rebellion of our day. The Bible unmasks this evil power, revealing his tactics of deception and harassment. This evil power is also responsible for the greatest tragedy in the universe. Satan caused this tragedy by rebelling against God, and introducing sin into our world.

In this lesson, we will examine the origin of evil, who is responsible, and where it all began. We will also consider how it has adversely affected everything, not just this planet we call home, but also the people and relationships that are signiﬁcant to us.

Questions

Click on the question to reveal the answer:

1. With whom did sin originate? 1 John 3:8
2. Who is the devil and where did he come from? Ezekiel 28:14-16
3. What happened to this mighty angel? Revelation 12:7-9

The Bible answer is: He was cast out of heaven

Lucifer, with the support of one-third of the angels, had caused an insurrection in heaven. God had no choice but to cast him and his followers out (Revelation 12:4). This was the greatest battle ever fought. After his expulsion from heaven, Lucifer was called Satan and the Devil, and his angels were called Demons (Mark 3:22-23).
4. Why was there war in heaven? Isaiah 14:12-14

The Bible answer is: Lucifer wanted to be like God

Ezekiel 28:17 says, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground; I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.”

Lucifer, got so caught up in his own beauty that he lost sight of his Creator, and desired to be like God.
5. Why didn’t God just destroy Lucifer when he sinned? Psalm 89:14

The Bible answer is: Because God is just

1 John 4:8 says, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

God’s very nature of justice and mercy would not allow Him to destroy Satan without an opportunity for his charges to be heard. Even criminals caught in the act are given a chance to prove their innocence here in our sinful world. To destroy Satan would make him a martyr and his charges would appear true. In order for God to end evil once and for all, it was important for the universe to see Satan’s principles fully developed, in contrast with His.
6. After Satan was cast down to the earth, what form did he take in the Garden to mislead Eve? Genesis 3:1-3
7. Satan’s rebellion in heaven originated in his desire to be God. Did he sow the same seed of rebellion in Eve’s heart? Genesis 3:4-6

The Bible answer is: Yes

When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were manifesting the same spirit of rebellion toward God that Lucifer did in heaven. This is why 1 John 3:4 describes sin as lawlessness, because lawlessness is rebellion against the lawgiver, God.
8. What resulted from Adam and Eve not obeying God? Genesis 3:7-10

The Bible answer is: Verse 7 – They knew that they were naked. Verse 8 – They hid from God

The result of sin always leads to shame and guilt, indicated by Adam and Eve covering themselves. Before sin they were not ashamed of their nakedness (Genesis 2:25). Instead of bringing their nakedness, shame and guilt to God, they hid from Him and tried to cover their nakedness with ﬁg leaves.
9. What was God’s response to Adam and Eve discovering their nakedness? Genesis 3:21
10. Where did God get the skins to clothe Adam and Eve?

Response questions:

Can you see God’s reason for allowing the devil to continue his work until all the issues are clear?

Do you choose to be on God’s side in the battle between good and evil?