Page 19 - Overcoming Addiction

is to run away from that which exposes our failings. Fear becomes a part of our
life, and we lack the confidence to enter into the presence of God.
Sin and the concept of separation from God are inextricably woven together.
Sin always brings a break in the fellowship that Yahweh desires to have with
mankind. This separation produces other harmful consequences.
If we return to the record of man’s first sin, and we begin to see that which
is revealed in the parables contained therein, we can discern more about sin and
its relationship to separation from God. The words of the serpent as he enticed
the woman are filled with insights of profound importance.

Genesis 3:4-5
The serpent said to the woman... "God knows that in the day you eat from
it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and
evil."

There is truth mixed in with the words of the deceiver. The most deceptive
lies always contain an element of truth. The serpent was speaking truth when he
said that eating of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would
grant Eve the ability to be “like God” in a way she had not formerly known. This
area was in the ability to know good and evil for herself, apart from hearing from
God.
Of all the creatures that Yahweh created, including the angels and mankind,
He did not grant to any the authority to know good and evil, right and wrong,
apart from Him. In order to know what was good and evil, all creatures had to
hear from God. Only God had the authority to determine what was good and evil.
For the creation to continue in harmony, and endless life, it needed only to abide
in God, receiving the knowledge of God’s will, and walking in obedience to it.
Life for the first man and woman was very simple. They had been created
for God’s pleasure, and their highest fulfillment and happiness would be in
accomplishing that for which they were created. God spoke to the man and
woman and told them what was good, and what was evil. He told them that it was
good for them to be fruitful and multiply. It was good for them to tend the garden
that He had placed them in. It was good for them to rule over the beasts. It was
evil for them to eat of the fruit that was forbidden.
Although mankind had not received the Spirit of Christ to indwell their
being at that time, they were walking in the initial stages of what God desired for
them. He has always desired that mankind should receive the knowledge of good
and evil, the direction for their actions, and even the very words they are to
speak, from Him. Receiving the knowledge of good and evil from God keeps man
ever dependent upon God, and ever abiding in Him. We dare not lose our
connection to Him if we are to do that which is pleasing to Him in all
circumstances.
Satan offered to the woman the ability to know good and evil apart from
communication with God. He told her that if she ate of the fruit of the Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil, she would become like God and be able to know
good and evil herself. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of this tree, they gained
the ability to look inside of themselves and determine good and evil, right and