This was the very first command that God has given to 'man,' in the Garden of Eden.
God had planted this garden in the east of Eden and made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.
'' Genesis 2:9 And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground --trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. ''
Now, lets see the very first effort of the devil to deceive Eve:
'' Genesis 3:4-6 ''You will not surely die,'' the serpant 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. '' ''
This scripture speaks about how the crafty serpant put its first efforts to make its entry into Gods people.
Now lets analyse the pattern the serpent used to approach Eve.
If we observe, what the devil did was just a very simple thing -
Now, lets see the very first effort of the devil to deceive Eve:
'' Genesis 3:4-6 ''You will not surely die,'' the serpant 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. '' ''
This scripture speaks about how the crafty serpant put its first efforts to make its entry into Gods people.
Now lets analyse the pattern the serpent used to approach Eve.
If we observe, what the devil did was just a very simple thing -
The devil deviated the Focus of Eve towards her self gain.
The devil made her think about the multiple benefits she would probably get, if she goes ahead with eating the fruit.
And specially note that, he diverted her focus to what God 'knows' about that fruit - from what God has 'commanded' her.
This perverted Eve from her very vital responsibility that was assgined to her, that is, keeping the Lord's command.
This perverted Eve from her very vital responsibility that was assgined to her, that is, keeping the Lord's command.
And the moment her focus turned, she started to think...
Lets see what Eve thought:
'' Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom she took some and ate it.''
Well, Eve, now started to count on the benefits she would get out of this, which are for selfish gain.
She saw specifically three benefits when she pondered over it :
1. Pleasant to the eyes
2. Good for Food
3. Desirable for wisdom
Well, Eve, now started to count on the benefits she would get out of this, which are for selfish gain.
She saw specifically three benefits when she pondered over it :
1. Pleasant to the eyes
2. Good for Food
3. Desirable for wisdom
The trees that our Lord God planted are too pleasant for eyes and good for food(Gen 2:9 ). And the tree that was forbidden to eat also was pleasant to eyes and good for food ( Gen 3:6).
And additionally, this tree has a benefit of gaining wisdom. So it was very easy for Eve to fall into the trap and be deceived.
The only way through which she could have avoided from falling into the trap is, by silently doing just what God has commanded her, and not pondering over what she might get from that fruit, otherwise.
The work of the devil was only to divert her focus, and this apparently seems to be the root cause of the first disobedience that occured in the garden of Eden.
Eve did not find it any wrong in eating the forbidden fruit, the moment she started analysing and thinking about the benefits, that were only serving for her personal gain.
The work of the devil was only to divert her focus, and this apparently seems to be the root cause of the first disobedience that occured in the garden of Eden.
Eve did not find it any wrong in eating the forbidden fruit, the moment she started analysing and thinking about the benefits, that were only serving for her personal gain.
But we need to notice here that these three benefits that Eve pondered certainly were not contributing anything positively towards her relationship with her Maker.
She could not even predict that the outcome of her presumptions and her behaviour could be so disastrous.
If only she had been content with what God has permitted her to eat, she could have prevented herself from the wrath of God.
If only she had been content with what God has permitted her to eat, she could have prevented herself from the wrath of God.
But she additionally desired this fruit, ignoring God's command, thinking it is good for her wisdom which could help elevate herself, apart from serving for her food, and fulfilling the pleasure of her eyes.
It all began with Eve starting to ''think for personal gain.... ''
It all began with Eve starting to ''think for personal gain.... ''
In the sense, the verse 3:6 starts as '' when the woman saw '' - what we set our eyes on is what we think about...
means here, knowledge for her self gain became predominant over the Instruction given.
And this led to the downfall of the first man.
And this led to the downfall of the first man.
Now lets come back to our times..
It's the same doctrine the devil is using these days.
Many are analysing God's word with their human knowledge, bringing out ideas and interpreting the way it would be beneficial for them, and to meet their earthly comforts.
It's the same doctrine the devil is using these days.
Many are analysing God's word with their human knowledge, bringing out ideas and interpreting the way it would be beneficial for them, and to meet their earthly comforts.
They have turned their focus to what God ''wants to give,'' rather than what God has COMMANDED AND INSTRUCTED.
And they call it Knowledge !
Such a knoweldge aims only for earthly comforts, and they realise the least that this is not serving in any way to get any closer to God in the way God wants us, so that we get transformed into His image through thorough meditation on HIS word, by keeping His commands, and living a life pleasing to God, which is the very purpose why the Word was given to us. i.e., to reconcile us to God.
The devil has been so crafty these days in showing how nice the pleasures of the world are which could be enjoyed through money..
And they call it Knowledge !
Such a knoweldge aims only for earthly comforts, and they realise the least that this is not serving in any way to get any closer to God in the way God wants us, so that we get transformed into His image through thorough meditation on HIS word, by keeping His commands, and living a life pleasing to God, which is the very purpose why the Word was given to us. i.e., to reconcile us to God.
The devil has been so crafty these days in showing how nice the pleasures of the world are which could be enjoyed through money..
they are so pleasant to the eyes, and also will enable to relish all kinds of food...
and therefore this false ''knowledge'' came into picture - through the use of the same word of God, interpreting it according to their desires and greed and they justify themselves that God ''wants'' to give all these things and God ''wants'' us to live in abundance, God ''wants'' us to be prosperous....etc, keeping aside what God has ''COMMANDED'' us to do.
This is nothing but Deception!
Such teachings, therefore are triggering greedy desires in people to become millionaires and billionaires.
This is nothing but Deception!
Such teachings, therefore are triggering greedy desires in people to become millionaires and billionaires.
It takes away focus from Abraham's Humbleness and Faithfulness to Abraham's Riches and Wealth...
It takes away focus from Isaac's Obedience to Isaac's Prosperity...
It takes away focus from God's love and concern even for Hagar's son, to the 'Quantity' of water( i.e. a Well ) God supplied her..
It takes away focus from Isaac's Obedience to Isaac's Prosperity...
It takes away focus from God's love and concern even for Hagar's son, to the 'Quantity' of water( i.e. a Well ) God supplied her..
and so on...
These teachings are causing only harm to the generation that is captivated by them, and prompting children to swerve from the righteous path and start desiring lavish lifestyles, expensive cars, their own jets, making idols of rich people in the ministries they have met, and thereby deceiving themselves.
They totally forget the very first commandment of God, ''Love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.( Mark 12:30)''
They totally forget the very first commandment of God, ''Love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.( Mark 12:30)''
''1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey His commands.''
And the command given to us, in regards to the world and its riches is:
'' i John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of a sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. ''
But the false teachings arising from the love of money, deviate the focus from His commands to His materialistic blessings, and back their theories stating that God has always given in ''abundance'' to all those people (mentioned above), and never a meagre supply...
and therefore they don't have to live in lack, and that God always wants to bless abundantly..
Such kind of false teachings only aim towards self elevation, thinking being richly blessed financially alone means having God.
And this is exactly what Adam and Eve did in the beginning.
Such kind of false teachings only aim towards self elevation, thinking being richly blessed financially alone means having God.
And this is exactly what Adam and Eve did in the beginning.
They turned their focus from what God has 'Commanded' them, to what God 'knows' about the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil.
And tried to do something good for themselves out of their own observations and understanding, outside of God's instruction.
Dear people, therefore realize this hour - any Knowledge outside of God's commands is a false knowledge.
Lets look at what the Scriptures say about this :
Dear people, therefore realize this hour - any Knowledge outside of God's commands is a false knowledge.
Lets look at what the Scriptures say about this :
'' 1 Timothy 6:20 Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith''
These teachings that prompt to seek financial abundance, mostly talk about using 'authority' for things they desire and say that we should call forth the things they want.
They justify it stating, ''Jesus called out dead Lazarus, Jesus spoke to the fig Tree, and He said you will do more miracles than me ... therefore what more am I doing, I am calling out money which has come from tree!! ''
Dear people, we need to realize one thing that authority is given to us over the enemy.
Dear people, we need to realize one thing that authority is given to us over the enemy.
For our needs and desires all we need to show is Thanksgiving and Faith.
And faith doesn't show arrogance in any manner.
And faith doesn't show arrogance in any manner.
Faith makes us wait on HIM in hope.
Let us read what we must add to our faith:
Let us read what we must add to our faith:
'' 2 Peter 1:5-7
Add to your faith goodness , knowledge( Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge )
... and to knowledge self control,( Isaiah 30 :15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength )
...and to self control perseverance, ( Hebrews 10 : 35,36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised )
...and to perseverance godliness, (''Colossians 3:2-12'' gives instructions on holy living and says that greed is only idolatry )
...and to godlines brotherly kindness, ( Colossians 3:12 Clothe yoursleves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience)
...and to brotherly kindness love '' ( Colossians 3:14 Above all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity)
Add to your faith goodness , knowledge( Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge )
... and to knowledge self control,( Isaiah 30 :15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength )
...and to self control perseverance, ( Hebrews 10 : 35,36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised )
...and to perseverance godliness, (''Colossians 3:2-12'' gives instructions on holy living and says that greed is only idolatry )
...and to godlines brotherly kindness, ( Colossians 3:12 Clothe yoursleves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience)
...and to brotherly kindness love '' ( Colossians 3:14 Above all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity)
Hebrews 11 speaks of our forefathers who have walked in faith.
None of them exhibited authority over what has been promised by God, but waited patiently, in Faith, for God's time.
And all that was promised was ultimately to accomplish God's purposes. And nothing was just for their selfish gain or their earthly comfort.
Since they humbled themselves, and surrendered to God's will, they in turn were blessed with all their hearts' desires, as they placed God and His purposes above theirs.
Even when God was leading Israelites in the desert, the Scriptures say that the Israelites craved for things on the way to the promised land. God did satisfy their desires, but at the same time sent a deadly pestilence. And none of them who rebelled, had seen the promise.
God doesn't want HIS people to crave for the things of this world, but to seek HIM in truth and humbleness and fear HIM, and walk in the ways HE commands.
As the word of God says, '' Matthew 6 : 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness , and all these things will be given to you as well. ''
Dear people, God is our Father- please do not go to HIM only to just get your wishes fulfilled.
None of them exhibited authority over what has been promised by God, but waited patiently, in Faith, for God's time.
And all that was promised was ultimately to accomplish God's purposes. And nothing was just for their selfish gain or their earthly comfort.
Since they humbled themselves, and surrendered to God's will, they in turn were blessed with all their hearts' desires, as they placed God and His purposes above theirs.
Even when God was leading Israelites in the desert, the Scriptures say that the Israelites craved for things on the way to the promised land. God did satisfy their desires, but at the same time sent a deadly pestilence. And none of them who rebelled, had seen the promise.
God doesn't want HIS people to crave for the things of this world, but to seek HIM in truth and humbleness and fear HIM, and walk in the ways HE commands.
As the word of God says, '' Matthew 6 : 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness , and all these things will be given to you as well. ''
Dear people, God is our Father- please do not go to HIM only to just get your wishes fulfilled.
There are many many higher plans God has for us, which can be known only by an intimate relationship with HIM, as our Father and our Maker and our Saviour...
but with such kind of greed for the worldly riches, this relationship has no scope !
Eve saw that fruit was good for herself and did not bother about how it would influence her relationship with her Maker.
Eve saw that fruit was good for herself and did not bother about how it would influence her relationship with her Maker.
And what happened to her..?
She did relish the fruit, but finally, she and Adam were banished from the garden !
2 Peter 2 speaks about false teachers and their destruction:
'' 2 Peter 2:3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping.''
Lets read what will be done if we involve in such false doctrines:
'' 2 Peter 2:13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done.''
'' 2 Peter 2:14 With eyes full of adultery they never stop sinning; ''
In that ancient day, even Eve saw it was pleasant to her eyes and brought punishment on herself. Similarly these false teachings that are turning your eyes onto the worldly things, will only lead towards God's wrath.
We are purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are God's own. We cannot afford to involve in such adultery of eyes lusting after the riches of the world.
'' 2 Corinthians 11:3-5 But I am afraid just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with that easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ''super-apostles''. ''
'' 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. ''
''Matthew 7 : 24 You cannot serve both God and Money.''
Therefore be careful about these teachers and their preachings which does not contribute towards building up relationship with God spiritually, but only focus on earthly gains.
Keep Such ones Away !
'' 2 Timothy 3: 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud ... ''
'' 1 Timothy 6 : 3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. ''
'' 1 Timothy 6 : 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ''
'' 1 Timothy 6 : 3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. ''
'' 1 Timothy 6 : 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ''
'' Matthew 13 : 47 - 50
Once again the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in the baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ''
Once again the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in the baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ''
May God grant us understanding of His Truth, and may His grace abound us, and protect us from the wicked schemes of the enemy through the false doctrines.
God Bless You.
