It began in eternity past. We don’t know when, but we do know that the greatest of God’s created beings let his grandeur lead to pride which caused his rebellion against the one who created him and infested his thinking with the delusion that he could be like “The God Most High.” Although we don’t know many details regarding Satan’s fall, we know that it was pride that caused it. In Isaiah 14:14 we hear his arrogant pride strike out at his creator. He says, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” We read that one third of the created beings called angels followed Satan in his rebellion and they have waged their rebellious revolution against God ever since.

After God created Adam and Eve, the great rebel, began his recruiting campaign once again. He was not satisfied with one third of the angelic hoards; he wishes all of us men and women, boys and girls to join in his rebellion against God. He begins his sales pitch by attempting to arouse doubt in us regarding God’s good intentions and benevolence toward us. I don’t believe Satan is omniscient. Therefore, he must have been lurking around somewhere when God instructed Adam about edible plants in the Garden of Eden. Possibly, he overheard Adam instruct Eve regarding God’s direction regarding their diet in paradise. Regardless, he knew enough to twist God’s instructions in such a way to cause us to think God is trying to keep something good from us instead of protecting us from what is bad for us. God is the one, according to Satan, who is struggling with a pride issue. He presents God as an insecure being who has to issue commands because he’s desperately afraid of losing his dominion. “You will not die,” Satan says. God is simply afraid you’ll be like him. God does not have your best interest foremost in mind. He has ulterior motives which are self-serving. Basically, Satan attacks the veracity of God’s promises. He says, in contrast to what the Bible says, “God is a liar.” Therefore, you cannot trust Him.

Don’t fall for it! “God cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2). “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). “He cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:18). “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone to do evil” (James 1:13). When God calls us to faith, he calls us first to trust him and to believe him. Moses explained God’s character to the children of Israel who were faltering in following God’s call to the Promised Land. He said, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19). It’s often difficult to trust God’s Word in our day and age. There are so many contrary opinions striking out at us from just about every human discipline. Yet, the wisest man in the world tells us, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Hold on, it will all be made clear in the end. Don’t join with the ranks of the rebellious.