Counterfeit.
[An imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud. Fake.]
Let's get one thing straight to begin with.
Satan is a liar...a deceiver...a counterfeiter.
Satan wants to be God.
It's not that he just wants people to love him, worship him, or serve him too.
He wants to take the place of God.
He wants to be seen, known, and acknowledged as the Supreme being. Therefore, the "goods" he's selling aren't just random. There's a strategy. They are planned out and packaged with one specific intention and purpose: counterfeiting God in order to replace him in people's minds and hearts. Making imitations of something valuable while actually deceiving and defrauding people.
Over and over, through out the history of world.
Satan could have attempted anything in the garden. He could have attempted to convince Adam and Eve that He too was God - that there were multiple Creators and beings to be worshipped. But He didn't. That wasn't what he was after. He wanted to take the place of God. So he went to work with this intention and purpose.
The Counterfeit:
He was the one to trust to gain wisdom.
The Truth
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. [Proverbs 1:7]
But as we all now know, his imitation of being the trustworthy one (Psalm 111:7) or the generous source of wisdom (James 1:5) wasn't just a mere deception with no long lasting impacts. His imitation brought about a world of brokenness, death, and decay.
Counterfeits not only hold no value...counterfeits are destructive.
And that's who Satan is.
His word is unreliable and false.
His lies create captives.
His schemes bring about division and chaos.
But the one true God - the God who rescues, redeems, and restores - He's the one we belong to now.
"For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."
Colossians 1:13-14
Because of Him - we have hope, freedom, and forgiveness.
We have experienced His goodness and His grace.
We are sustained with His love.
And we find comfort in His trustworthiness.
Our God is great and mighty.
His goodness endures forever.
His word is dependable and His love is constant, unswerving, and loyal.
His character is incorruptible.
He is the God who keeps His promises.
He is the conquering King and the restorer of souls.
He is the one true God and He is holy.
There is no one like Him.
In a world that is constantly longing for something of true value, the legit real deal, I can't think of a better message can you?