In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent--a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold. Resting in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an object to arrest the attention and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey.

For at kunne gennemføre sit værk uden at blive afsløret valgte Satan at anvende slangen som sit redskab - en forklædning, der passede godt til formålet med hans bedrag. Slangen var dengang et af de klogeste og smukkeste dyr på jorden. Den havde vinger, og når den fløj gennem luften, så den strålende smuk ud med en glans som skinnende guld. Mens den hvilede mellem det forbudne træs bugnende grene og nød den vidunderlige frugt, tiltrak dens skønhed sig beskuerens opmærksomhed. Således lurede ødelæggeren på sit bytte i fredens have.