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From Eternity Past
is all a deception. They are setting their feet in the path that leads to
degradation and death.
The Subtlety of Satan’s Appeal
Satan represented to the holy pair that they would gain by breaking
the law of God. Today many talk of the narrowness of those who
obey God’s commandments, while they claim to enjoy greater liberty.
What is this but an echo of the voice from Eden? “In the day ye eat
thereof”—transgress the divine requirement—“ye shall be as gods.”
Satan did not let it appear that he had become an outcast from heaven.
He concealed his own misery in order to draw others into the same
position. So now the transgressor disguises his true character; but he
is on the side of Satan, trampling upon the law of God and leading
others to their eternal ruin.
Eve disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her
fall. In the judgment, men will not be condemned because they con-
scientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth.
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We must set our hearts to know what is truth. Whatever contradicts
God’s Word proceeds from Satan.
The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it
in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her
own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it lest they die.
Perceiving no evil results, Eve grew bolder. When she “saw that the
tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree
to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did
eat.” As she ate, she seemed to imagine herself entering upon a higher
state of existence.
And now, having herself transgressed, she became the agent of Sa-
tan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural
excitement, her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his
presence.
Adam appeared astonished and alarmed. To the words of Eve he
replied, that this must be the foe against whom they had been warned.
By the divine sentence she must die. In answer she urged him, “Eat,”
repeating the words of the serpent that they should not surely die.
She felt no evidence of God’s displeasure, but realized a delicious,
exhilarating influence, thrilling every faculty with new life.