Virtual Devotions

 ”You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:4-5

Dear Friends,

As we continue to look at the conversation between the serpent and Eve, we see how much more insidious it becomes and how relevant this ancient text is to our lives today.

It begins with the serpent flatly denying the very word of God – something we should be careful of in our lives today.  If someone denies the truth of God’s word, it’s authenticity or accuracy, beware. 

Next, the serpent implies that God is intentionally withholding something of value from Eve, something that Eve should want to possess.  In fact, he states three things, opening her eyes, being like God and knowing good and evil.

It’s not clear what the serpent means by Eve’s eyes being opened.  In a contemporary sense, to have you eyes opened is to reveal something unknown to you.  Assuming this is the correct interpretation, this is a direct attack on God’s word.  All revelation is to come from God alone.  When the Israelites left Egypt and came to the Promised Land, God warned them not to adopt the practices of divination, sorcery and fortune telling used by the inhabitants of Canaan for revelation.  These practices are an abomination to God.  The same is true in the Garden.  The serpent is telling Eve that some knowledge will be revealed to her apart from God.

Second, the serpent says she will be like God.  How true is this in our world today!  Many people believe that the individual can become like God through their works or their meditations or some other means of ascending to this position.  I cringe when someone says they are spiritual.  It’s a euphemism for saying they are finding their own way to being like their own god.  It is all based on human pride and rebellion and is the sin of Satan himself.  It is the proclamation that the individual does not need God.  It is self-centered, self-reliance and the height of arrogance and we see it every day.

Finally, the serpent tells Eve she will know good and evil.  Ironically, this is the only truthful statement the serpent makes.  Eve will in fact very shortly find out what the difference is between good and evil.  Unfortunately, her ignorance is her bliss.  Once she crosses the line into violating God’s command, she will know the full force of evil and long for the good that she once knew.

And this too is true today.  How many of us have committed acts which after they have been done have brought destruction upon our lives.  Once you cross that line, it is too late, you can’t go back – at least not on your own.

But you can be forgiven and that is the glory of the Gospel.  No sin that you have committed will prevent you from entering eternal rest with the Father if you turn to Him in faith through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Even if you are already saved and you fall into sin, you are forgiven by confessing and repenting.  Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

In Him,

David