Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 392

Amen Gigi!!

Well spoken.

God bless you.

Good Afternoon, One Eighty

You have made a good post here which prompts many thoughts in me. Hopefully Richard will respond back soon.

I just wanted to speak to your inquiry concerning if God is creating something wouldn't it be perfect like Himself (not your direct quote).

My understanding that in creation, God was not recreating Himself, replicating Himself, or in any way crating anything like Himself in all of creation. For one, He cannot do that, as Go's Being is One and always One. Always has been and always will be. for all of eternity God has existed without being created as a unity of three Persons in One Being-One Lord and God overall. His divine essence, being, and perfection belongs only to Himself and cannot be "made" or given to any other being.

Secondly, Though what God created was certainly good, we are not told that it is perfect, because only God is perfect. so, then the question is, can a perfect God create a good but not perfect thing. I would say yes, and I say so due to His purpose for creating: to redeem a people for Himself to be glorified with the Son for all eternity. So, to accomplish this end, God created angels and mankind with the ability to turn from Him in disobedience and rebellion, so that He can then redeem mankind to a better end than this earthly life and to prove, by, saving humans but not angels, that He is sovereign in His actions, decisions, and wisdom over all things, even evil and the devil and those fallen angels. He gets the last word on all things and in the end, the judgment of sin, the devil, the fallen angels, and unrepentant sinners is perfectly just and glorifying to Him.

I believe I was a bible-based Christian throughout high school. Afterwards, I became mentally troubled and went off into the Catholic Church, even to confessing to a priest. Ever since I have been strongly opposed to Catholicism; it is the false church. The problem I'm having is when was I born again -- before going to the Catholic Church or after all of that happened?



Since you can only be born again once, when was I born again before or after?

I graduated in 2008 and may have been brainwashed.

Good Morning Richard, Thanks again for these posts on how we are to go on in our faith after conversion.

If those who are in the church family would live as we ought than our witness and example to those not of the faith would be so much stronger, convincing, effective, and without hypocrisy and our words, service, and love for one another will be genuine, sincere, outpouring, and impartial.

Today's church environment is much like how Jesus described the Laodicean church: comfy, well-fed, indulgent, fleshly, and unaware of the lack of truly essential aspects of the mission of the people of God. Certainly, there are those in areas of great poverty, oppression, persecution, and violence in the world. But, even with access to so much on the internet, most Christians in western churches sit back and enjoy the ride of ease and luxury compared to what our brethren are facing daily in other parts of our world.

Even with all of these "things" in our western modern churches, people are still hungry for more, and often not for what is good. They will seek after "spiritual" experiences which more and more are dipping into the practices of the occult and eastern religions and the New Age. People are seeking personal "relevancy" in their church "experience" rather than true reverence; positive messages rather than a call to holiness; thinking they can "capture" some for the kingdom by bringing worldliness into the church arena and worship.

But there are still many things being done in the church that are truly good and advance the gospel. We should focus on those things, herald those who serve humbly rather than "celebrity" adulation. We need to be decisive about presenting the essentials of the faith over and over and over again until those new to the church and those who have been there a long time know these things by heart in order to be able to easily speak out the reason for one's hope in Christ to any who ask. We need to be equipped to be able to minister outward

Who wrote the book of Hebrews?

True Gospel (conclusion).

The subject of our heart and affections must be at the forefront here to our Gospel message. Matthew 6:24 takes one point about this in regard to money or God being our master. This certainly extends to other issues that ultimately begin with the state of our heart (or soul) and our relationship with the LIVING God. It is true scripturally that we cannot "lose our salvation" but we can certainly lose rewards; as Rev. 3:11 clearly states. These will have consequences at LEAST for the Millennial rule of Christ and those of us who are "kings and priests" at that time; perhaps eternal ramifications. Hebrews 11:6 states that we MUST believe He is a rewarder of those who "diligently seek Him." This perseverance also is something worthy of obtaining crowns ( 2 Tim. 4:2).

I am convinced that God is the one who does the persevering; but still evidence that He lives within us is producing fruit (which comes after time in the proper season) as well as believing until the end. John 11:26 states that "He who believes in me will never die". What many don't know is that is in the context of CONTINUING faith; not just at a time and place of confession.

IF He lives within us and has taken up residence and if we are "sealed with the Spirit" ( Eph. 4:20) then sanctification must be continuing throughout our lives as pilgrims on the earth. God has redeemed us; and we are saved but not all the wheat and tares are evident; we in the end will be PHYSICALLY saved from this body of death at glorification; which is the end of the journey. Our salvation therefore is for HIS glory. We are to praise His name; and not just when we are in church fellowship; and certainly not for show to see who can yell "AMEN" the loudest.

We must keep in mind those that walked away when Christ challenged them; as well as what happened between Palm Sunday and the Crucifixion. Those who truly believe WILL endure to the end; those who don't WILL FALL. Simple as that.

Further insights on the Gospel preached in truth and fullness

Continuing from my last post; the enemy will attempt to go after marriages and family as a main target. Staying neutral on the "escape clause" issue in order to retain standing here; I will state what I can scripturally...that adultery is no action necessitating a divorce but merely it is an option; and secondly one should be a Berean and study the "unescape" statements in the Gospel of Luke and Mark and the context(s) before drawing their own conclusion (as well as the one in Corinthians; etc).

Children; of course are another way that Satan is unleashing his fury especially in the US today. There is also pornography that statistically; apparently many even who have leadership positions in churches are ensnared in today; and of course much of this starts in youth. There is also drug abuse; suicide; and violence among teens as well as violent video games and fantasies leading to general anarchy in society. ( Psalm 11:3 if the foundations are gone how shall the righteous stand?).

ALL these things and more are reasons why warnings need to be given to "guard our hearts" ( Prov. 4:23).

3. The contention between the Spirit and flesh. I have talked to at least one person in recent years who said they don't sense any real struggle within them of a spiritual battle. I have to question their faith. ( Gal. 5:16-22). The war has been won; but the battles will continue; more or less until the end of the Age of Grace for the church; and to Armageddon for the final group of believers.

Such issues listed in these posts surely need to be given some attention for converts. God of course will discipline someone who is a true child of his a little more gently after a few days or weeks of faith than He will say a few years later. We need of course also to caution about leaving our "first love". Such was the fate of the Ephesian church ( Rev. 2:4). This is Agape love not the emotion at conversion.

How to properly present the Gospel (part 3)

2. 2 Corinthians 13:5. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith..." This verse should be a warning given after any profession of faith. Warnings need to be associated with that in regard to producing good fruit ( Gal. 5:22-23). We of course don't want to present a "hyper-grace" type message in any form that we are now free to sin since grace "abounds" as stated in Romans 5:20 and subsequent verses. Here are several things one should look for after a genuine salvation experience and are evidences of SANCTIFICATION; the next stage in the process leading to GLORIFICATION. Romans 8:17; however talks about part of the necessary process "provided we suffer for Him."... This is not to suggest that we are all going to be martyred; but it DOES assume that we are crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) and our life is now in Him. This means a death to our PRIDE; which of course is based on a whole bunch of subpoints (materialism; self grorification; esteem; reputation; status; etc.)

There used to be a song by Amy Grant "you've got to count the cost if you want to be a believer." as one of the lyrics. I could say more here; but I will leave it at this: such advice is sorely needed today if someone seeks God; and we must live it out ourselves.

3. Warnings of specific things the enemy is likely to place in your path to make you fall. I don't know how I could write this without reference to a primary target Satan is going after; namely marriages and family. If such things as personal vows taken in God's name (such as a marriage Covenant) are NOT taken as being DEADLY serious; then we can certainly understand why the confessing church has about 50 percent divorce rate par with the rest of the "pagan" world. I cannot understand how a covenant with God where the specific vow "until death do us part" can be violated. I don't wish to be flagged for the debate here on the "escape clause" in 2 places in Matthew

How to present the Gospel properly (part 2).

In my previous post I started to get into discipleship; and how exhortation and rebuke as well as challenging statements by elders wasn't "politically correct" today; and consequently how the typical layperson isn't given a healthy environment for growth and to help build new disciples themselves. These are drifting into side issues here; nonetheless in terms of proper explanation of the message of salvation we cannot ignore those things left unsaid but observed by onlookers when they view how the Body of Christ interacts. Further details may be given on this subject in another post.

For the time being; I would like to point out that ANY discipleship today has been a weak follow up process in general since the time of the Billy Graham and other big crusades in the US in particular when it comes to altar calls and resulting mass "conversions" if that is truly what they are. I am careful here naming names; there are no specific issues therefore that I am emphasizing as to the mention of one of several well known evangelists on this post other than stating that in general follow up was usually a one time or short lived event. If we go to a couple years in the future these type of evangelistic outreaches tend to have only a small percent of these "converts" continuing to grow in their faith; if even remaining a confessing Christian at all.

Okay; to the meat of the issue. Here are several points I deem necessary when presenting someone with the Gospel in the fullest sense.

1. Explaining properly that all good gifts come from above ( James 1:17) and assuming a proper message related to our total helplessness and hopelessness apart from Christ; repentance; and calling on Christ to save us through verbal and as best as we can tell believing in the heart ( Romans 10:9). This first step; of course can't be deficient with a person somehow thinking they have any way they can save themselves.

Preaching to the elect: My radical approach.

Bless the Lord; o my soul and forget none of His benefits ( Psalm 103:2). In preaching to the lost world; we certainly need to declare the victory over sin; and God's love ( John 3:16). We are translated from death to life in His Dear Son ( Colossians 1:13).

In fact God IS love ( 1 John 4:8).

In the backdrop of the news of the "exceeding great glory" awaiting us; ( 2 Peter 1:4) we also have 2 Corinthians 4:17 which mentions our "light afflictions" before glorification. Paul himself was told how much "he would suffer for the Kingdom of God's sake" ( Acts 9:16). Peter was instructed of similar things when the Lord asked him if he loved Him 3 times in John 21:15-16.

Such messages are rarely given today.

There are several problems preventing these truths to be given in exhortation. First of all; if we don't see some sort of persecution being suffered as is promised toward ALL who are Godly in Christ Jesus as their fate ( 2 Timothy 3:2) then we are not given any example to emulate and therefore live with unrealistic expectations as to how comfortable our lives will be once we live out our faith. Of course; with anything else the fact of the matter exists that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding." ( Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10 and many other passages). It follows that reverence; awe; and respect result from such an understanding as well as the discipline to be as a hardened soldier not concerned with "civilian affairs" ( 2 Timothy 2:4).

I have stated in other places how exhortation and rebuke is; in such a permissive society not considered proper etiquette. That feeds into my next point; that we aren't seeing what is Biblical discipleship in WEEDING out those tares that are there to spread false doctrines and cause dissention as well as giving challenges as "iron sharpens iron" ( Prov. 27:17). This is a problem with church elders and other leaders and of course laypersons follow their lead.

Alex1939...Gi-Gi thanks for the inquiry of my family...I have 3 girls and 3 boys...14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren...They have all been with me on my trips to India back in the 60's cept the 2 youngest....Preaching the gospel of Christ in you the hope of glory...Been to India 3 times preaching the Gospel...As an ex Pentacostal non Demoninational Preacher...But I gave up on all that when i received the revelation of the manchild the H.G. That is gonna be born in all of humanity...That New Covenant in the blood of Jesus ...Now I AM trying to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children ( Jesus Children) the H.G. the Children of PROMISE...An ISRAEL OF GOD...As Jesus said that which is born of the spirit tis spirit...thats the H.G. that is gonna be born in us via his good seed the words of that New Covenant...The Children of Promise that are the gifts of God...The H.G...I was also a missionary with Jack REED who wrote the book "We walk by faith and not by sight"...What a missionary he was...He went to over 67 countries... He just died this last yr. in Oct....But now i'm too old to go to any foreign Countries...And i believe with all my heart that my own country AMERICA needs missionaries more so then any other country...ok gbu Gi-Gi...I will pray for all of your Children Gi-Gi in the name of Jesus but also in the name of the babes and sucklings which are spirits That Israel of God that is gonna be born in us....Our new heart and new spirit....The Children of PROMISE....Unless ya receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child your will in no wise enter there in...When they argued amongst them selves which was the greatest Jesus set a Child in their midst...He wants to set a Child in our hearts which is the H.G. That Child of Promise...The Kingdom....plz note the Kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchild...Which is the H.G. The spirit of truth that is gona reprove this whole world of sin and judgement etc...He is gonna rule this whole world...

And God said unto Noah, the end of all flesh has come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an Ark of gopher wood, rooms shalt thou make in the Ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. My question and comments are how many years did Noah build the Ark? If he has carpenters and workers to build the Ark? If God destroys all mankind and living creatures or livestock? How about all the fish of the sea will die also, since fish leave and breath in the water. Kindly please explain further deeper and send us my email address account to be understood clearly.

On a self-same day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the three (3) Sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his Sons with them, into the ark; My question and comments are did not mentioned the children of his three Sons Shem, and Ham, and Japheth and also, their slave's and Noah's wife slave's did not mention also to entered Ark. It's possible there have children of his three sons for Noah's grandchildren and also a slave to enter Ark. Please kindly deeper explanation to send us my email account address. We will be waiting for your response.

It is a natural incline to show our good deeds towards other people so that we appear "good" in the eyes of men. Our fleshly nature wants other people to publicly praise us and recognize our heroism and bravery to rescue other fellows when they are in times of need.

However, Jesus took a different approach here to teach us that what matters is not what men see or think, but it is what God thinks. This should bring us to re-examine the very intent of our heart when we do certain things.

Let us do things, not to be seen or praised by men but rather to be approved by God.

Beloved Linda on Genesis 3 all is clean the Lord has cleansed all. Here in Acts 11:1-18

If we change God's word one small sentence and do not get light on the word with the Holy Spirit. Will everything we create becomes confusion. You see today, many issues come up about food. Which is not Divine at all. The apostles did not understand this either when they made a new rule here: The meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem Acts 15:6-21

Stay close to the word og God, Jesus is there, love u in Christ. Merry Christmas eat all food in Jesus holy name, Amen

Richard, all in all you are doing well.

Keep bringing us your good words.

Good night for today. Talk tomorrow.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible.

Acts 1:11"...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all on this platform.

The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make HIS face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

Though it may seem bleak and overpowering, the LORD promised us peace in and through the name of HIS SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Romans 10: 9-12; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Colossians 3: 1-2

December 27, 2022

part 2.

Hi Richard,

All fear/hate is ultimately reducible to the basic misperception we have the ability to usurp the power of God. To do the impossible would indeed be fearful. The belief the impossible has been accomplished, is. Thus, we are afraid of Love, unworthy of it, deserving our just eternal punishment. Is not God's Son perfect? Yes, or He cannot be God's Son. Likewise, God's creation, including you, is perfect, or you cannot be His creation (Son). Perfection IS unalterable!

Can anyone explain why God looked among all He created (animals and such) and obviously appears surprised He couldn't find a suitable mate/helper. Certainly, in His foreknowledge and omniscience He wouldn't be looking among something He intended not to create as a perfect mate, and then realize there was none. I'm sure there's a simple explanation.

Also, I think most agree the Garden was an idyllic place, and the two occupants were as they were created, in a sinless state. Yet, I must inquire, is an idyllic setting in an idyllic place idyllic, with the devil roaming about, tempting God's perfect creation to sin? And a tree smack in the center that would play a part in the horrible demise mankind would suffer.

Again, I enjoy your comments, always anticipating something informative and challenging.

Peace

God Is

When God said, "let us make man in our images"; was he referring to the trinity by saying us?

Hi Richard,

I enjoyed reading your thought provoking post on the "knowledge of good and evil". The creation account is in some ways ambiguous to me, thus, in the search for truth, I must ask questions that perhaps are elementary or absurd to others. There's information in this account establishing much of the Creator's Mindset.

One primary challenge I have is regarding whether something (God) in a state of eternal holiness can or would create something unholy; and/or something holy that can change into an unholy creation. In the same manner, I highly doubt an unholy entity (Satan) could or would produce that which is holy; and/or something unholy that could become holy. Is it not logical that if anyone, or God, created something imperfect, we, and/or God, would be imperfect? Should not anything that comes from God be exactly like Him, where it concerns His characteristics; Who and What He is? In comparison, earthly parents pass to their children many of their traits, producing a likeness to their self. God is perfect and eternal; thus by DEFINITION, anything He creates would also have to be perfect and eternal. God is Truth, so whatever is true is eternal and cannot change or be changed. God is Spirit, and Spirit gives birth to Spirit; Spirit is unalterable because It is ALREADY perfect. But, the mind can elect what it chooses to serve, the only limit put on its choice being, it cannot serve two masters: Faith in Spirit AND the body, Love AND fear, Holiness AND sin, Life AND death, God and Satan. Opposites.

Who can usurp the authority (power) of God? I'm concerned for myself I may be minimizing God's omnipotence by believing there's anything that can-including sin. To me, sin would only prove what God created Holy could not prevail against it, nor remain Itself before the power of sin. Sin is perceived as mightier than God, before which God Himself must bow and offer His creation to Its conqueror, Satan. Many consider this humility.

to be continued

Before God created Adam and Eve, leaving in the garden of paradise, God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion and scattered over all he created on earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth- So, therefore before Adam & Eve- there are a lot of peoples living on the entire earth. So, what will happen in the time of Noah- all people die in the flood water, except Noah and his Family & selected animals? That's our new generation until now in the present time? Kindly please deeper explanation to send my email address account. Please wait for your reply. Thank you.

As ever I appreciate your input. My friend in Pittsburgh took a gander at Psalm 32 where I somehow neglected to mention how David sought forgiveness so quickly. So I gave analysis of individual verses and missed the whole theme; which is of course hardly isolated as a characteristic of David. Since you seem to have the most feedback; any other suggestions are appreciated. Clearly your knowledge is good in regard to scripture.

I normally don't name names here; at least when I am criticizing certain bad fruit that many preachers have today. I do recommend Paul Washer..if I'm allowed to say that here as the most convicting and truthful preacher (as far as I'm concerned) exisiting today. He happens to agree with me on the subject of divorce and remarriage as well; and is able to preach convictingly about God's Holiness as well as His forgiveness. He also has recently stated that pastors are the biggest problem in churches today and how God is going to judge the House of God first. Highly recommended.

I have been quite blessed with the latitude I have been given writing things; it is possible a few things were flagged. We don't know how long a site like this can exist where truth can be proclaimed without it being considered "hate speech."

I guess I have done a lot of thinking; hopefully if I get too redundant I can "cease and desist" somewhat. I happen to have a unique situation with time available with my current situation living with my aged parents. I may get a nursing home ministry soon; and should get to lead a study in my small group at church on prophecy in January as well so may be a bit busier.

This has helped me to look up scripture that I know is somewhere as to it's exact reference so is helpful to me as well.

My family doesn't believe so I get cut down to size at times trying to be an Apologist; as though I am some kind of "know it all."

I have to make sure anything I say is corroborated so normally I stick to scriptures as references.

Dear Richard, Thank you for your faithfulness in putting forth your comments on Scripture. I so appreciate you doing so.

In reading the Bible there certainly are many practices that we find not very acceptable today in Western civilization, as you mentioned many.

I just wanted to comment on the subject of concubines. These women did seek to be harlots. They were sold or traded by their parents to people of wealth and position or they were taken as spoil from war and added to the harem that way. These women were often very young when they were added to the harem. they had very little power to avoid this entrapment. Esther was such a member of the king's harem. Although these women were kept ready for the call of the master, groomed and taught how to behave, this was no different than what we call today, sex slavery. These women were made captives of the ruler of the house. So, whether a king or a chief, as Abraham is often called, or in the case of Jacob. These women were expected to do as asked and many became mothers of their master's children and were considered part of his family but not equal to his chosen wife or queen.

We are not really told how this practice began again after the flood. But perhaps there was a large unbalance of men to women due to war and so many daughters were given as multiple wives because the women outnumbered the men. This was one way to build up a nation making use of as many women to bring forth children as possible.

Knowledge of good and evil part 4.

The conclusion is that once Adam and any one of us started in the course of sin; then the mind was permanently ingrained with that memory; and all the desires to repeat such actions were the default mode against which there was no effective resistance apart from the Spirit of God. God would "wink" at certain things ( Acts 17:30) as specifically referring to idol worship. There were some such as Rachel in the O.T. who would be with God's people but secretly carrying family idols with her. There are other things such as "concubines" which no matter how culturally defined basically were "politically correct" versions of harlots. The situation of multiple wives and such brings out the unique situation when at first there was only a sister for instance; for Cain to marry.

We can look at the ancient conquests and widespread carnage; and go through much angst with the tough verses where God Himself commanded widespread slaughter. That is a subject which I may have touched on and could some more in the future.

What IS certain; however is that much of these things were due to sins that Israel specifically committed and of course the book of James states that people war because they lust after things they cannot have. ( James 4:2). We also had a national political and religious state where the law of the land was to be enforced directly from God's commandments. Again; there is a level of responsibility that His Covenant people had above any other nations; but the same principles are involved.

In general; there has to be a submission to God's authority involving a trust relationship which is based on His Covenant(s); namely today in the New Covenant that Christ has brought into effect. ( Heb. 9:15). All good gifts come from God above ( James 1:17). That is referring specifically to spiritual gifts; but certainly all blessings in life have Him as the source.

Let us follow Romans 12:2 and be transformed by renewal of mind.

Is it a sin to eat pork?

Knowledge of Good and Evil (part 3)

What is good and evil? To get a definition we must first adhere to God's standards rather than our own; while acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. For instance; we are not commanded to fight against the whole world of wicked man and the Antichrist and False Prophet and usher in God's Kingdom. There are some Dominionists who seem to go pretty far in that direction though; acting like Christ coming in vengeance ( Isaiah 63:3) is going to somehow be preceded by a red carpet welcoming mat of a world that is subjugated to Christianity. That isn't even what Post Mil reformers are saying! In any case a mass slaughter of most of the surviving earth at the end of the Tribulation isn't something that would be classified as good for anyone but the King of Kings. No doubt; of course Antichrist will beforehand attempt to justify his wars of conquest as a "man of peace" and when that is proven to be wrong; as the only one who can fight God who will be; to put it mildly called unjust.

To the world; Psalm 2 will seem like a way to "loosen their fetters" so to speak; this will seem like the ultimate revolutionary act to do for the world against those "aliens" attempting to invade the earth!

The other side of the coin; of course is the concept of what exactly "good" is. We know that God Himself can do no wrong; and is love itself ( Job 34:12; 1 John 4:8). We know that no one does good and all are estranged from the womb ( Romans 3:12; Psalms 14:3). Christ mentions this with those who are "evil" that give good gifts to their children. ( Luke 11:13). Therefore; the action may be the same among the regenerate and unsaved; but the motivations will be different; for instance pride of self or family; or an attempt to appease God and men through behaviors. This may be why the young man wasn't disputed when he said that he obeyed certain things since a youth. ( Matthew 19:20 and elsewhere). Hidden covetousness was thus exposed.

Hello again, Anna, just to let you know. the name of Mary's mother is not mentioned in the Scriptures but was in the apocryphal book of the gospel account of James. This early writing names Mary's parent as Anne, (or Anna) and Joachim. However this writing of james was included in the canon of the Bible.

Dear Anna,

My understanding is that her name was Anna, like your name.

Part two: Knowledge of Good and Evil.

We may ask ourselves; well then before the sin was there no knowledge of good? God's own goodness not to mention the idyllic environment of the Garden; the beauty of the first man and woman in a sinless state of innocence and their whole existence would bring to mind that they should have had some idea of what "good" was. We see; with careful examination of what is NOT said that there is no praise mentioned toward their Creator; or any other scripture indicating that they were even truly saved. No mention is made in the Garden of any greeting that said "Lord" when He spoke to Adam in the cool of the day. They are NOT included for instance in the long list of saints in Hebrews 11. The only thing I can see is when Seth was born to replace Abel after Cain murdured his brother ( Genesis 4:1) where Eve said that she had gotten a "man from the Lord."

Knowing evil; hence was the introduction to Satan's world and usurping the authority God gave them in the garden; as well as bringing thorns; toils; and a guaranteed death sentence to the body; and later if not repentant and saved; to their souls sending their spirits to Sheol. We can't be certain as to their fate; but looking at the state of their children such as Cain being a murdurer and their later descendants such as Nimrod it doesn't seem evident much discipline was given to them either.

Anyway; KNOWING evil of course is the nesting place where thoughts and imaginations lead to the depravity that increases in an individual and all of society in time; so we have a condition like in Genesis 6 where God had to destroy the earth. Knowing evil led to women literally "knowing" fallen angels intimately; and bringing the Nephilim and all sorts of hybrid offspring; so that only Noah and his family were "perfect" before God. ( Gen. 6:9 says "perfect in his generations.") Others can interpret as they may; but only 8 people all in his immediate family were saved.

Knowledge of Good and Evil: Analysis

A day or two ago; I quoted Paul in Romans 7:9-11 where he stated that before he knew about sin it didn't have a hold on him but then now that he does it slayed him (my own rough translation). THe LAW of course was what caused the death sentence; as many of has have read that he who doesn't follow the law completely ( James 2:10) and breaks it in one area breaks it all.

In looking at the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evil it is good at first to examine what we can surmise about man (in this case Adam and Eve) in an innocent state; before the fall. In a sinless state; there would be no compulsion or even understanding of doing anything sinful and hence displeasing to God. Therefore man could have remained in this state of innocence had the tree of life been eaten at this time. Theoretically; since the tree of life HAD no restrictions on it they were free to eat it; but by Divine Providence they did not; because of God's foreknowledge that they were going to be fallen and that would put them in that state forever. The potential certainly existed in Adam and Eve much as it did with Satan in his glory as Lucifer in the beginning. Wisdom of knowing good from evil actually is something as Christians we need to pursue. To seek it for their own betterment or somehow because God was trying to cheat them out of something of course was the first wrong concept Satan was able to infest their minds with. This lack of trust in God led to them trusting themselves; and hence no doubt to TRUST Satan's lie was more to their benefit than their Creator's commands. Just how LONG this took isn't exactly clear for the fall to occur; just as with Satan. In Satan's case it certainly must have been quite a campaign to get that many angels to rebel that took some time.

No doubt the knowledge of evil and the sin itself was already occuring at some point after the serpent's message was heard; heeded and followed through.