Introduction
Sin originated when Lucifer and his angels forsook their allegiance to God and were cast out of heaven.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:
he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Revelation 12:9
After his fall, Satan devised a plan to lead mankind into rebellion against God.
This ongoing controversy between Christ and Satan centers on one issue: both are seeking the loyalty of human hearts.
1. The Serpent’s Deception in the Garden
Question: What did the serpent do in the Garden of Eden where man was?
“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?
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said,
Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.”
Genesis 3:1–4
Note:
The serpent was the medium Satan used to attract Eve’s attention.
He began by questioning God’s command, subtly twisting the truth.
Although he knew God had only forbidden one tree, he made it appear that God was unfairly restrictive.
When Eve repeated God’s command, Satan boldly contradicted it by saying, “Ye shall not surely die.”
This was the first lie ever told — a direct denial of God’s Word.
2. The Fall of Humanity
Question: Whom did Adam and Eve believe — God or the serpent?
“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.”
Genesis 3:6
By choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, both Adam and Eve disbelieved God’s Word and trusted Satan’s lie.
Their disobedience brought sin into the world and broke humanity’s direct fellowship with God.
3. The Consequence of Adam’s Sin
Question: Because Adam sinned, how did this affect the human race?
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
Romans 5:12
Read also Romans 3:23 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 (first part).
Through Adam, sin and death entered the world, affecting all his descendants.
Every human being has inherited both a sinful nature and the consequences of his choice.
4. The Definition of Sin
Question: What is sin?
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
1 John 3:4
Read also Romans 4:15 and Romans 3:20 (last part).
Sin is lawlessness—the deliberate breaking of God’s holy law.
God’s law defines right and wrong and reveals when we have strayed from His will.
Conclusion
Disobedience to God’s command was sin in the Garden of Eden, and the same principle still applies today.
Each act of sin is a personal choice to disregard God’s authority.
But sin does not have to rule over us. God calls every person to make a deliberate choice for obedience:
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
Joshua 24:15
Through faith in Christ and the power of His Spirit, we can choose to follow God rather than sin.
Summary of Key Points
- Sin began with Lucifer and entered earth through his deception of Adam and Eve.
- Satan’s first lie challenged God’s Word and authority.
- Adam’s disobedience brought sin and death to the entire human race.
- Sin is the transgression of God’s law.
- Each person must choose whom to serve—obedience to God or rebellion with Satan.