Genesis 3:5 NKJV — “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.”
Genesis 3:16 NKJV — To the woman He said:
“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”
Knowing Good and Evil
I personally think that Satan convinced Eve that she would not only understand what was good and what was evil but she would be the one who actually decided what was good and what was evil. I believe that because she was put under the authority of her husband as a result of her sin. I think Satan convinced her that she could be in charge.
Did Adam and Eve Ever Confess their Sin?
Of course. Many people think that Adam cast the blame on Eve and Eve cast the blame on Satan. But if you read carefully, they both told the Lord exactly what happened. That is what confession is. I don’t think it would be possible to lie when talking to God. After all He knows everything already. I like the fact that He didn’t make them grovel but accepted their confession and provided a sacrifice for them.
Adam certainly realized what the consequences of his sin would be because the New Testament tells us that he was not deceived. He was willing to leave paradise rather than be separated from Eve. She must have been a very attractive wife. He left paradise to be with his bride and that is one reason that he is a picture of the Lord Jesus who left paradise to gain a bride.
Pride
One of the problems Satan has is called pride. He is constantly saying “I will” in Isaiah 14:12-14:
“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.’”
We all have that thing called pride in us. I am afraid the Corinthian church that had so much gift, also had a lot of pride. They were “puffed up.” I wish that we who say we are believers could all recognize that we are just sinners saved by grace and the only person with the “last word” is the Lord Himself. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).” Paul could have been one of the religious leaders of the Jews. Instead He was martyred as a Christian by the Emperor Nero after having had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to Him.
Pride exalts a trinity of evil called Me, Myself and I. The world tells us to look out for number one. Strive to be the top dog. But being crucified with Christ eliminates the “I” in our service for Christ and puts Christ on the throne. That is where He ought to be.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of July 19, 2020
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