“Thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17.
21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Gen. 3:4.
Note.—This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie,—a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as “the wages of sin is death,” by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the “God of truth.” See Prov. 6:16-19. “The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Prov. 12:19. “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?
“By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” Rom. 5:12. “By one man's disobedience many were made sinners.” Verse 19. “The whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19. “In Adam all die.” 1 Cor. 15:22.
23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?
“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan.” Mark 1:12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.
24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?
“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15.