Wednesday | 04 November 2026
The woman was deceived by the content of Satan’s reproach against God, while Adam drew back from the face of Christ in unbelief; he defaulted in relation to faith. 1Ti 2:14. Heb 10:39. Satan presumed to speak in this manner because he had been lifted up in pride on account of his beauty and power. Eze 28:17-18. He had sought to exceed his estate, comparing himself with the Son and endeavouring to compete with Him for power. Highlighting Satan’s pride, the prophet Isaiah declared, ‘For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High”.’ Isa 14:13‑14.
This same competitive dynamic surfaced in both Peter and Judas. They, too, had received a splendid mandate from God, through the Son. Jesus had given the twelve disciples power and authority over all demons, the capacity to cure diseases, and the mandate to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luk 9:1‑2. Mat 10:5‑15. Not long after the disciples had returned to Jesus, His focus shifted towards His impending offering. He said to His disciples, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.’ Luk 9:22. However, they could not hear His message. Luk 9:44‑45.
Another spirit, or attitude, had emerged among the disciples following the success of their ministry. Instead of continuing to learn from Jesus, a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Luk 9:46. Notably, Peter presumed to rebuke Jesus for speaking of His decease. Jesus responded to him, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ Mat 16:23.
Further Study:
Luke 9
References:
1Ti 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
Heb 10:39
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Eze 28:17-18
Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore, I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you.
Isa 14:13-14
For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
Luk 9:1-2
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Mat 10:5-15
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that city!’
Luk 9:22
The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Luk 9:44-46
Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying. Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.
Mat 16:23
But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’