The Barna survey asked Christians questions about God…how they saw God…(75%) said He is the “ALL-POWERFUL, ALL-KNOWING Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” 25% of Christians chose ANTI-GOD descriptions (everyone is god, god refers to the realization of human potential, etc.). 40% of Christians strongly agreed that Satan “IS NOT A LIVING BEING but is a SYMBOL OF EVIL.” Christian were asked is about the divinity and perfection of Jesus Christ, tens of millions of Christians DO NOT accept that teaching. More than (22%) STRONGLY AGREED THAT JESUS CHRIST SINNED when He lived on earth. 38% of Christians DO NOT BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is a living person of the God head. Just ONE–THIRD of Christians agreed that the Holy Spirit is a living person of the God head.
Now the serpent (Satan) was more cunning (`aruwm: shrewd, devious) 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’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will NOT surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:1-5)
Jesus taught us, “The thief (Satan) does not come except to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY. “ (John 10:10a) Satan came to Eve and said, “Did God really say what you thought He said?” Stealing her confidence in what she heard. Then he said, “you will not really die” killing her faith in God. Then “You’ll be like God…” destroying her relationship with God. As a result mankind was plunged into darkness and a state of sinfulness by a real devil. But thankfully Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (superior in quality).” (John 10:10b)
-Bill Stockham