Before entering the garden of Eden in a form of a serpent, Satan was the most powerful angel in heaven (Isaiah 14:12, 13; Ezekiel 28:13–15). But when Satan rebelled against God, he was banished from heaven. And he used his power and lies to deceive our parents. God, did not leave Adam and Eve ignorant of the rebellion of Satan and He warned them to take heed lest they fall. He gave them only one simple test. He said, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17).
Inasmuch as God did not wish Adam and Eve to be tempted above their ability to withstand (1 Corinthians 10:13), He did not allow Satan to approach them in the likeness of God, or at any other place other than the one forbidden tree. Satan, therefore, came in the form of a creature, not only far inferior to God, but far below man himself. Adam and Eve, in allowing Satan, through the medium of a mere animal-serpent, to persuade them to break the commandment of God the Creator, were without excuse. The devil used the serpent because it is a creature more subtle than other animals (Genesis 3:1).
God allowed Satan to appear to Eve in the form of the serpent to test Adam and Eve, and see whether they would be obedient or not. The fact that God allowed for this proves that we have the capacity of choice, we as human beings are capable of choosing to obey God, or not. With this necessary element, we are differentiated from all other beings. Therefore, those who obey and love God do so as a result of choice. We are not forced to love God, and being exposed to good and evil ensures that we remain independent of force. The Lord says, “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
