Page 331 - Foundations

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

The Scriptures reveal that Satan’s initial sin began with the eyes. He was beguiled with his own
beauty and magnificence. As his eye remained upon his own glorious image, pride and conceit found
place in his heart, ultimately leading to willful rebellion.

Ezekiel 28:17
“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your
splendor.”

The apostle Paul admonished Timothy not to appoint a new convert to a position of leadership among
the body of Christ “lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil”
(I Timothy 3:6). Satan became conceited by setting his eyes upon his own beauty. Is there not a
perfect synchronicity between Satan’s fall and the angels who were enticed by the beauty of women?
Both entered into sin by setting their eyes upon that which was beautiful while giving place to selfish
thoughts.

It is no sin to look at a woman and acknowledge that she is beautiful anymore than it would have been
a sin for Satan to recognize that Yahweh had created him to be a beautiful being. The sin was in
setting one’s attention on that which was beautiful, allowing the imagination to suggest selfish
actions that were contrary to the will of God. Rather than taking every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ, Satan gave his mind over to entertain conceited and prideful thoughts regarding
his own magnificence. Similarly, the fallen angels who beheld the beauty of women did not arrest
their desires. They continued to gaze with desire at the women until lust had enticed them, conceived,
and gave birth to sin. They went after flesh that Yahweh had not created for the angels. Woman was
created for man. It was a gross violation of the order of Yahweh’s creation for angels to take wives
to themselves from the daughters of men.

I believe we need look no further than what is declared in Genesis 6:2 to understand the motive for
these angels’ transgression. We need not imagine that they were attempting to corrupt the genetics
of humanity so the promised Deliverer could not come forth. The angels were tempted by lust as they
observed the beauty of women. Compare the following two verses side by side.

Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that
the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate...

Genesis 6:2
The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves,
whomever they chose.

The woman saw the forbidden fruit was attractive, and she ate. The sons of God saw that the
daughters of men were beautiful, and they took wives. Cause and effect. Temptation and sin. This is