Genesis 3:1 introduces the serpent:
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden”?’”
The serpent represents Satan, the adversary of God and deceiver of humanity. Although described as a serpent, Scripture later clarifies his identity. Revelation 12:9 says:
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.”
Through the serpent, Satan introduced doubt about God’s Word, questioning His goodness and authority. He enticed Eve with lies, suggesting that disobedience would bring enlightenment rather than death (Genesis 3:4–5). This deception was not simply about eating fruit but about rebellion against God’s rule.
The serpent symbolizes temptation, deceit, and the origin of sin in human history. His strategy remains the same: twisting God’s Word, appealing to pride, and promising independence from God. Jesus later identified Satan as “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).
The encounter in Eden also reveals the reality of spiritual warfare. Humanity’s fall was not accidental but the result of deliberate opposition from God’s enemy. Yet from the very beginning, God promised victory over the serpent. Genesis 3:15 foretells the coming of Christ:
“He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
The serpent’s defeat was guaranteed at the cross when Jesus triumphed over sin and death. One day, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). The serpent in Eden reminds us of the danger of sin, the subtlety of temptation, and the certainty of Christ’s ultimate victory.
