Our Spiritual Battles and Victory in Genesis 3:15
Wo-Man, It’s the Devil
Spiritual battles are real and evidence of their nature goes all the way back to mankind’s entrance into this world. Genesis 3:1-15 tells the initial story of the human encounter with the schemes of the devil.
While Genesis 3:1 tells us this encounter is with the serpent, other Scriptures clarify for us how we should understand the real identity of that serpent.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:2
Before we move further into our review of how the enemy attacks, would you please take a moment to read Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 carefully and focus on his lack of control and victory. Both passages remind us that the devil is not ultimately in control, nor does he have the victory.
That is important knowledge for us to remember when facing a spiritual battle in our lives.
Speaking of good news, Genesis 3:1–15 gives us another first mention that is of utmost importance to our topic: the first mention of the gospel message in Scripture. Genesis 3:15 paints a picture of the spiritual battle, the gospel, and the victory we have in Christ.
The First Gospel Message
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15
This is spoken by the Lord Himself to the serpent after his deception and Adam and Eve had fallen into sin for the very first time. In the Lord’s spoken curse to the serpent, He told the gospel message of His plan that was already in place to give humankind back the life the enemy stole from them in the garden.
Let’s look at the three things Genesis 3:15 shows us.
The Battle
There is hostility between Satan’s offspring and the woman’s offspring—Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that Eve was the life giver? Adam named her the mother of all living. And in Jesus is the Life, and He is the Life Giver. (John 1:4; 10:10) Not only does this reflect a battle that humanity faces but it also points to the ultimate spiritual battle between Satan and Jesus.
2. The Gospel
But while Satan won’t get past Jesus’ feet, Jesus will strike Satan’s head with a death blow. When a snake receives a death blow, for a moment it can still strike at the feet, but it is only a non-lethal, last-ditch effort as death takes it fully out. I have literally seen a snake’s head be taken off and the snake’s body continue to thrash on the ground. But only for a moment.
Genesis 3:15 speaks of Jesus’ blow to Satan’s head, which destroys the power of the enemy. We see that when we compare the terminology in Genesis 3:15 with Romans 16:20.
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20
The gospel was God’s response, and it was God’s preordained plan of victory for humanity.
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8
Our victory was God’s plan ahead of time.
3. The Victory
As believers in Christ, we live in an already, not yet kingdom. The victory has already happened in the kingdom of God, but the full reality of that victory is not yet. Living in this world means we still feel the heat and pressure of our spiritual battles, but we fight from the already-won victory. And we do that by faith in Jesus. We believe in what He accomplished already and participate with our Victor and His victory until He brings the not yet to completion.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
We can sum up our spiritual victory like this:
Jesus won.
Jesus wins.
Therefore I win.
Therefore we win.
Praise the Lord!
The Nature of the Spiritual Battle
We started out with the enemy’s identity. But now we need to focus on what God’s Word says about his nature and the nature of the battle waged against us.
Genesis 3:1 says the serpent was “more crafty than any of the wild animals.”
The English definition of crafty and the meaning of the Hebrew adjective arum are very similar.
In Hebrew, arum means: subtly, shrewd, crafty, sly, sensible
In English, crafty means: cunning, deceitful, sly, skillful, ingenious, dexterous.
If we go back to Revelation 12:9 and see the serpent’s identity, we also see a character trait that explicitly ties into this descriptor of the serpent in the garden.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
The serpent, the devil, Satan is a deceiver. In John 8:44, Jesus told us something about him that lines up with this as well.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44
In other words, deception is the name of his game. If he’s speaking, he’s lying because there isn’t an ounce of truth in him. Think about what Jesus said about the thief in John 10:10—The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. The only reason he shows up is with an evil plan and purpose. Jesus also said,
He’s “the wicked one.” (Matthew 13:38);
He “sinned from the beginning.” (1 John 3:8)
He’s “the accuser of our brethren.” (Revelation 12:10)
The Nature of Our Spiritual Victory
The accuser of our brethren is one that really gets under my skin because I have done plenty to be accused of in my lifetime. That’s what the enemy does. He deceives us and tempts us to go against what God says based on our own evil desires. (James 1:14) Then he turns around and points his finger at the guilty stain on our heart that spills shame and condemnation throughout our whole being. And like Adam and Eve, once the guilt and shame settle in, we hide from God.
But while the enemy spills out his evil contempt and condemnation over our lives, God spilled blood that covers our sin. In Genesis 3:21, God made garments of animal skin to clothe Adam and Eve. Their covering required the death of another. Hebrews 9:22 says, “without shedding of blood there is no remission.” While Genesis 3:21 doesn’t explicitly say blood was shed when God made garments from animal skin, the implication is there. Nevertheless, God covering their spiritual nakedness gives us a beautiful picture that points forward to the blood of Christ and the covering for sin that only God can provide.
If you would like to understand more about atonement and why the blood of Jesus is so important to our salvation, you can read my article, Jesus, God’s Chosen Avenue of Atonement for Me and You.
And He is still doing that for us today.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9
…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7
The blood of Jesus is our victory. It answers every accusation of the devil against us. What can be said against us when we have been covered by the blood of Jesus? Nothing! Revelation 12:11 speaks of how we overcome the accuser’s lies, plan, and purpose in our lives.
Victory in Jesus!
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Revelation 12:11
Our testimony that the blood of the Lamb who is our Lord Jesus Christ covers us is our victory!
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1
Hallelujah and Amen!
Want to Go Deeper in Your Study of Spiritual Warfare?
If you want to better understand the spiritual battles you face and learn how to stand equipped in the victory Jesus has already won, I invite you to continue studying with me in Equipped & Empowered: Preparing Women for Spiritual Battle.
This Bible study will help you understand your spiritual enemy, recognize his tactics, and learn from God’s Word how He has equipped and empowered you to stand firm in spiritual battle.
Learn More About Equipped & Empowered →
If you need encouragement and practical steps to help you better communicate and establish healthy boundaries in your life and within your relationships, listen to the latest HER Podcast: How to Stop People-Pleasing | Set Healthy Boundaries and Please God with Tannera Lindvall, Christian communications and boundaries coach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Battle
Q) What does Genesis 3:15 teach us about spiritual battles?
Genesis 3:15 gives us a picture of the spiritual battle, the gospel, and our victory in Christ. It shows the hostility between the serpent and the woman’s offspring and points forward to Jesus, who would strike Satan’s head with a death blow. From the beginning, God’s plan of victory was already in place.
Q) Who is the serpent in Genesis 3?
Other Scriptures help us identify the serpent. Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2 refer to “that serpent of old” as the Devil and Satan. Revelation 12:9 also describes him as the one “who deceives the whole world.”
Q) What are some of the devil’s tactics in spiritual battle?
Genesis 3 shows us the deceptive nature of our spiritual enemy. The serpent questioned what God said, distorted God’s words, and deceived Eve. Scripture also describes Satan as a liar, a murderer, the wicked one, and the accuser of believers. Knowing God’s Word helps us recognize the enemy’s deception.
Q) Has Jesus already defeated Satan?
Yes. Genesis 3:15 points forward to Christ’s victory over Satan. Romans 16:20 says, “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” As believers, we still experience spiritual battles, but we fight from the victory Jesus has already won.
Q) How does the blood of Jesus give us victory in spiritual battle?
The blood of Jesus provides forgiveness and cleansing from sin. Because we have been redeemed and covered by Christ’s blood, the enemy’s accusations do not have the final word over us. Revelation 12:11 says believers overcome the accuser “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
Q) Why is knowing God’s Word important in spiritual warfare?
The enemy works through deception, so we need to know what God has actually said. God’s Word gives us truth by which we can recognize lies and stand against the schemes of the devil. We don't have to live afraid of our spiritual enemy; we can stand rooted in the truth God has given us.
Q) How can Christians have confidence when facing spiritual battles?
Our confidence is not in our own strength but in Jesus Christ and the victory He has already won. First Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We face real spiritual battles, but we do so knowing that Jesus won. Jesus wins. And we fight from His victory.
