Lies and Lying Eyes

Lies and Lying Eyes

"But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.   For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes…" (Genesis 3:4-6a)

Satan says that God’s Word is not true, however the wreckage of earth and a million billion graves attest that God is true and Satan is the liar.  He still clings to his lie, and it comes today in various forms.  He denies the eternity of the lake of fire. He  teaches the doctrines of soul–sleeping and annihilation.  He preaches the doctrine of a second chance of salvation after  death.  Over against this, Christ said, “You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he ...” “You will...die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come” (John 8:24, 21 RSV).  The choice today is the same as it was for Eve—the Word of God or the denial of Satan.

The woman was walking by sight and not by faith - God had said that they were not to eat of the fruit, that should have been enough.  We may not understand why the Lord gives some of His commands, but to the child of trust it is enough that He has spoken.  Satan and The flesh will present a thousand reasons showing how good it would be to disobey His command.  The only safe course is to trust implicitly in what He has said, and not to lean on our own common sense (Proverbs 3:5).   There is no fear of God before the eyes of the wicked (Psalm 36:1) .  “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).  It is only when our eyes are opened to behold wondrous things out of His law (Psalm 119:18) that we can see to walk by faith.  

Dr. Barnhouse reminds us that humanity us still blinded by lies and lying eyes.  Paul states, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God” (II Corinthians 4:4, ).  We should never stop presenting the Word so that the power of the Holy Spirit can open their eyes to the truth.

Further reading: Genesis 3:1-7