The study of Scripture for doctrine and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by Cameron Moshfegh
The study of Scripture for doctrine
and
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
A Bible study to
SERVE OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
Author: Cameron Moshfegh
Date: 2024-07-30
Preface: The study of Scripture for
doctrine
All Bible quotations of
this Bible study are exclusively from the King James Bible (1769
Edition).
The applied
study practices are based on biblical teaching which can be found in the Bible
quotations.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart."
Whatever our thoughts and intents of the heart
might be, the word of God discerns them (Hebrews 4:12). Accordingly, the word
of God is also a discerner of this Bible study (Hebrews 4:12). Submitting
itself to the word of God (Hebrews 4:12), this Bible study was written with the
intent to serve as an edification and study help for all those who seek God and
His word in truth and sincerity (Psalms 145:18). The reader is highly
encouraged to diligently study all Bible quotations.
Doctrine is the learning
of the teaching of the word of God, while Scripture, that is the Bible, is the
final authority of the word of God. Therefore, we study Scripture for doctrine
(2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 6:1-6).
Doctrine guides us in our
spiritual life. To those who walk without it, spiritual things either appear as
foolishness as is the case for the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14), or they
are easily entangled in ungodly spiritual practices, such as the seeking of
those with familiar spirits or wizards, which leads to trouble and darkness,
dimness of anguish, and ultimately drives them to darkness (Leviticus 19:31, Isaiah
8:19-22). There are powers, not of flesh and blood but
spiritual, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in
high places, that are working in this world to have as many of mankind as
possible perish (Ephesians 6:12, 2
Thessalonians 2:9-10). Ever since the beginning until today, led by Satan who
is the god of this world, their preferred way to do this is to blind the mind (2
Corinthians 4:4) with deceit and great subtilty, perverting the word of God and
opposing the love of the truth (John 8:44, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:1-6,
Genesis 5:5, Romans 5:12-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). This led to sin, and
death by sin, being passed down from Adam and Eve to everyone of mankind
(Romans 5:12-14), and to the
sorrow of the world, that is remorse of sin which comes with despair, and works
death (2 Corinthians 7:10). But it is the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians
2:9-10) that leads us to God and doctrine, and doctrine reveals to us God's
grace (Ephesians 2:1-8) so that we are saved by having believed in the Gospel, which is that
Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross according to the Scriptures, that
He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the
Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Doctrine
leads us to godly sorrow for sin, a sorrow according to God which comes from an
appreciation and love for God, which brings a change of heart against sin, and
works repentance, which is a change of life, to salvation that is not repented
(2 Corinthians 7:10), by believing on God (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Whatever it might be that keeps us from either
receiving or following the love of the truth, whether our heart is closed from
trauma so that we are unable to believe, or whether our heart deceives us so
that it leads us from one false way to the next and keeps us in filthy habits, God
is not slack concerning His promise but longsuffering towards us, and He is not
willing that any man should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2
Peter 3:9).
The author of this Bible
study is saved by having believed in the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After
his salvation and along his journey as a newborn Christian, he was confronted
with the question of what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is. This
also revealed ways by which our study of Scripture for doctrine can withstand
influences that attempt to pervert the word of God, coming sometimes from our
own heart and sometimes from outside.
As we study Scripture for
doctrine, we show
ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth but shun
profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness (2
Timothy 2:15-16). We do so not with strife but gentleness, patience and
meekness (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
When learning a teaching,
our mind tries to understand. Because God is not a liar (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus
1:2, Hebrews 6:18) and logic is without doubt, logic is a requirement for
doctrine. If we disregard logic, our mind cannot serve doctrine. Hence,
we need to know what a paradox and a contradiction is.
A paradox is
defined as when there are two or more statements, where all statements are
true, but it is not clear how they can be brought into agreement, and once it
is clear, the paradox is solved.
A contradiction is
defined as when there are two or more statements, where not all statements can
be true and therefore cannot be brought into agreement.
When encountering a
paradox, the study around each of the involved Bible verses needs to be
expanded until the paradox is solved, going from verse to verses, from verses
to chapters, from chapters to books, and from books to the whole Bible.
However, contradictions are not acceptable for doctrine because God is not a
liar (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, contradictions mark
errors of the study practices that a student of Scripture uses.
Scripture does not teach
in the words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches,
comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1
Corinthians 2:13). Our
natural mind, that is our carnal mind in the flesh (Romans 8:7-9) producing
man's wisdom, is not able to receive or even know the things of the Spirit of
God because they are spiritually discerned, and therefore they appear as
foolishness to the mind of the natural man (1
Corinthians 2:14). But when we are
saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we receive the Spirit of God which then dwells in
us, that is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). This enables us to start receiving
the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14), that is learning the words which the Holy Ghost
teaches (1 Corinthians 2:13) as labourers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). In
this process of spiritual renewal, our mind must still perform its always
necessary function of logic, but now it works with our spirit that is being
renewed by the Spirit of God dwelling in us (Romans 8:9, Romans 12:2, Ephesians
4:22-24); this is when we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
If we believe that the
King James Bible is the final authority of the word of God, that is Scripture,
then neither the Hebrew nor the Greek language, nor any other Bible translation
are required for the study of Scripture and for doctrine.
However, proficiency in the English
language or having a faithful translation into a different language that can be
compared to the King James Bible by a trusted source proficient in the English
language, is required to study the King James Bible.
Furthermore, Scripture is not of any private
interpretation because it did not come by the will of man, but men spoke as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20-21). Any study tool that is not Scripture must not be
contending with or instructing the authority of Scripture. For example, the
things that we illustrate and explain as a necessary basis of understanding for
doctrine, such as figures, people, places, objects, sensory experiences,
animals and developmental stages or parts thereof, must be explicitly written
out with at least one word in Scripture. It is always Scripture that instructs
us on which things, to which level of detail, which parts thereof, and in which
relationship to each other are to be considered for doctrine. This applies to
study tools that convey proficiency in the English language, historical context,
or scientific knowledge. Man’s wisdom is based on rationality. While
rationality uses logic as a tool, it superimposes doubt and what it produces is
never without doubt. The greatest care is to be exercised not to allow scientific
knowledge to instruct us on Scripture, because science, due to its rationality,
is the pinnacle of man's wisdom, and it claims to be very instructive on all
things. But man's wisdom cannot instruct us on things that are spiritually
discerned. Scripture does not teach in the words which man's wisdom teaches but
which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1
Corinthians 2:13-14). Scripture warns of and describes "man's
wisdom", "vain in their imaginations", "philosophy",
"the tradition of men", and "the rudiments of the world" as
great dangers in the study of Scripture for doctrine, particularly when it
comes to the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Romans 1:21-23, Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29).
Therefore, in all study of
Scripture, but with a particular emphasis when it comes to the things of the
Spirit of God, it is necessary that we ask ourselves the following two
questions:
Are we studying and rightly
dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), or are we formulating profane and
vain babblings which Scripture warns against and teaches
us not to do
(2 Timothy 2:16)?
Note: Studying and rightly
dividing the word of truth requires effort of the mind and the application of
diligence and logic within the spiritual teaching of Scripture. This brings us
to the second question.
Are we comparing spiritual
things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13-14), or are we adopting man's wisdom
and philosophies to
describe the things of the Spirit of God which Scripture
warns against and teaches us not to
do (1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Romans 1:21-23, Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29)?
Note: When we strain our
mind and apply diligence and logic in the study of Scripture we need to remain
in the spiritual teaching of Scripture, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual, and not slide into man's wisdom and philosophy.
An English dictionary (e.g. The Compact Oxford English Dictionary) is a valid
study tool that conveys proficiency in the English language, if it stays under
the instruction and authority of Scripture.
Furthermore, because the
carnal mind always tends to go against the things of the Spirit of God (Romans
8:7-9), the process of spiritual renewal requires our humility to
submit ourselves to the teaching of the word of God. But this is not voluntary humility, which is a
pretended humility that comes from being vainly puffed up by one's fleshly
mind, intruding into things that one has not seen, such as is seen in the
worshipping of angels, which is the worshipping of the creation (Colossians
2:18); we only worship God (Revelation 19:10). Voluntary humility does not hold
the head, that is it does not hold to God, from which the body, that is the
church of saints, receives its nourishment (Colossians 2:19). It depends on
commandments and doctrines of men, as seen in ordinances such as ascetic
traditions (neglecting of the body) and is a show of self-wisdom and in worship
of self-will (Colossians 2:20-23). Through voluntary humility, a student of
Scripture really makes himself the author of his own doctrine because in his
will worship and show of wisdom (Colossians 2:23) his mind tries to instruct the
word of God instead of learning its teaching, not holding to God (Colossians
2:19). This can be very tempting to those students with a gifted mind.
But no matter how gifted
the mind of a student might be, the word of God cannot be conquered; God does
not change, and the word of God will stand forever (Malachi 3:6, Psalms 119:89,
Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35). Voluntary humility is highly tempting and
dangerous because it opens alluring new depths of supposed wisdom to the
student, while really drawing the student away from doctrine into his own
imaginations and trapping him in endless series of contradictions to Scripture.
Scripture describes this as having a form of godliness but denying the power
thereof, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2
Timothy 3:5-7). Therefore, when studying Scripture for doctrine, great care
needs to be taken not to fall into voluntary humility. When Scripture speaks of
a riddle (Judges 14:12-18), a parable (Matthew 13:18-33), a dream (Daniel
2:26-45), or types and shadows (Romans 5:12-14, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Hebrews
10:1), that we are to understand, contradictions to Scripture are not an
invitation to voluntary humility but mark errors of the study practices that a
student of Scripture uses.
Another example of adopting
man's wisdom to describe the things of the Spirit of God is the seeking of the
number pattern of Bible coding. This is the counting and calculation of words
in Scripture and subsequently seeking the number patterns therein for
instruction on doctrine and to prove the word of God. However, as beautiful as it
may appear, the number pattern of Bible coding is not the word of God. Our mind
perceives the number pattern of Bible coding only through counting and
calculation, but not through the study that is based on the reading of what
Scripture says and therefore, the number pattern of Bible coding is a secret.
But God does not speak in secret, so that He would be sought in vain (Isaiah
45:19). Therefore, the number pattern of Bible coding cannot convey any
biblical teaching or any proof of the word of God that could not already be
obtained through the study that is based on the reading of what Scripture says.
Therefore, to seek a teaching or a proof of the word of God in the number
pattern of Bible coding is vain and leads to vain visions (Ezekiel 13:3-7).
Trying to prove the word of God by seeking number patterns of Bible coding is
to turn Scripture into a science project, which is man's wisdom, and therefore interfering
with doctrine. Seeking the number pattern of Bible coding is the setting of
idols in the heart and the putting of the stumblingblock of one's iniquity
before one's face (Ezekiel 14:5-9). Because of this, those who seek the
number pattern of Bible coding become estranged from God and weak in doctrine. It
is the study based on the reading of what Scripture says that leads to doctrine.
In the study of Scripture
for doctrine, it is inevitable to make errors, but when we become aware of our
errors, we should acknowledge and correct them by the authority of Scripture. It
is written that we shall not tempt God (Matthew 4:5-7). A student of
Scripture who willingly uses study practices that are not sound for doctrine because
he believes that the Spirit of truth is guiding him into all truth (John 16:13)
tries to tempt God, just like someone who would willingly cast himself down
from a high precipice because he believes that God will save him (Matthew 4:5-7).
The Spirit of truth does not lead a student of Scripture who seeks doctrine
into study practices that draw him away from doctrine (1 John 4:6).
Students of Scripture are
asked to read teachings or studies of Scripture with all readiness of mind and then
to search the Scriptures to prove whether those things were so and only then to
believe it, as written of the Bereans (Acts 17:10-12). Students of Scripture should
try the spirits (1 John 4:1) with Scripture to prove all things
(1 Thessalonians 5:21), and then hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonians
5:21).
Main body of the study
Scripture on Scripture
God speaks truth, all His words are in
righteousness, and He cannot lie (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Therefore,
God is not a liar.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). When harmonizing 2 Timothy 3:16 with Proverbs
8:7-8, Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18, it follows that Scripture cannot contain
any contradiction.
God does not speak in secret, so that He would be
sought in vain (Isaiah 45:19). Therefore, God speaks so that all those who
He calls and all those who seek Him know what He speaks, and He expects us to
seek Him.
Scripture forbids us to add unto or remove from
the word in Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6,
Revelation 22:18-19).
Scripture instructs us to study
Scripture to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of
truth, but to shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more
ungodliness (2 Timothy 2:15-16). When harmonizing 2 Timothy 2:15-16 with Proverbs
8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, 2 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 45:19, Deuteronomy 4:2,
Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation 22:18-19, it follows that
Scripture is sufficient to validate Scripture.
Scripture does not teach in the words which man's
wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches, and man's wisdom cannot
instruct us on things that are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:13-14). Scripture
is not of any private interpretation because it did not come by the will of
man, but men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20-21). When
harmonizing 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 with Proverbs 8:7-8,
Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, 2 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 45:19, Deuteronomy 4:2,
Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19 and 2 Timothy 2:15-16, it follows that Scripture
interprets Scripture.
Scripture on good and evil
The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, being
good at studying Scripture to become a teacher of it, exercises our senses to
discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). When harmonizing Hebrews 4:12
and Hebrews 5:12-14 with Proverbs
8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, 2 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 45:19, Deuteronomy 4:2,
Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 and 2 Peter 1:20-21, it follows
that being good at studying Scripture to become a teacher of it is not to be contending with or instructing the authority of
Scripture. It also follows that God instructs and
expects us to discern both good and evil through exercising our senses by being
good at studying Scripture.
However, God commands man
not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in
the day that man eats thereof he shall surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). Eating of
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil gave Adam and Eve the knowledge of
good and evil, that is to "know" good and evil (Genesis 3:6, Genesis
3:22). God speaks truth, all His words are in righteousness, and He cannot lie;
God is not a liar (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, God
forbids man to "know" good and evil because once man knows good and
evil man shall surely die and because God cares for man so that He does not
want man to surely die. Therefore, God cannot ever instructively say that man
shall "know" good and evil, not even when man had transgressed and
since then knows good and evil (Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:22). Accordingly, when
searching all Scripture for the base word "evil", it becomes clear
that Scripture never says instructively that man shall "know" good
and evil, and Scripture also never says instructively that man shall "know"
evil. When harmonizing Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6 and Genesis 3:22 with Hebrews
5:12-14 and 2 Timothy 2:15-16,
it follows that "to discern good and evil" is not the same as
"to know good and evil". If Scripture would say that "to discern
good and evil" was the same as "to know good and evil", it would
make God a liar, but God is not a liar (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18).
Therefore, while Scripture mentions evil in many forms, Scripture cannot
give man the knowledge of good and evil.
The law consists of words, is given by the word of
God, and to keep the law, every single word of it must be kept (Deuteronomy
17:19, Deuteronomy 27:3, Deuteronomy 27:8, Deuteronomy
27:26, Deuteronomy 28:58-62, Deuteronomy 29:29, Deuteronomy 31:12, Deuteronomy
32:46, Joshua 8:34-35, Isaiah 1:10). Because Scripture is the final
authority of the word of God, and because Scripture cannot give man the
knowledge of good and evil, and because the law consists of words and is given
by the word of God, and because the tree of the knowledge of good and evil can
give man the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil cannot be the law.
Sin was in the world before the law, but sin is
not imputed when there is no law (Romans 5:13). It is also written that sin is
the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) and by the law is the knowledge of
sin (Romans 3:20). Even though sin exists without the law, man can only know of
sin when given the law, and only when given the law sin is imputed. With man's
choice to transgress God's first commandment to man not to eat of the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17), sin was imputed to man and
death by sin, which was passed on to all following generations of men (Genesis
2:16-17, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:22, Romans 5:12-14). Therefore, since the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil cannot be the law, God's first
commandment to man not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis
2:16-17) must belong to the law. Therefore, man received the
knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20) when they received God's first commandment
to man not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis
2:16-17).
Therefore, man already had the knowledge of sin
before eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and sinning does
not require the knowledge of good and evil.
Because God knows all things and His understanding
is infinite (1 John 3:20, Psalms 147:5), God also has all the knowledge that
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has (Genesis 2:9). Therefore, it is
also written that God knows good and evil (Genesis 3:22). Therefore, because
God is not a liar (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18), the knowledge
that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has cannot contain any lie and
must contain only truth. Eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
gave Adam and Eve the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:22),
and the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked
(Genesis 3:7). Scripture never says that eating of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil would give Adam and Eve a lie. But Satan's deceiving words to
Eve were lies (Genesis 3:1-5). Furthermore, Satan is with iniquity (Isaiah
14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-17). He was a murderer from the beginning, and there is
no truth in him. He is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44); he spoke to
Eve with deceit to murder both Adam and Eve. Therefore, the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil cannot be Satan.
Because God knows good and evil (Genesis 3:22), it
is necessary here to look closer at how God is described in Scripture. God
creates both good and evil (Deuteronomy 30:15-19, Isaiah
45:7) and also inflicts evil (Judges 2:15, Judges 9:23, Judges 9:57, 1
Samuel 16:14-15, 1 Kings 14:10). But we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose (Romans 8:28).
Furthermore, it is written that God is good
(Psalms 34:8, Psalms 100:5, Psalms 107:1, Psalms 119:68, Nahum
1:7), not evil (1 John 1:5), without iniquity (Deuteronomy 32:4),
uncorruptible (Romans 1:23), and righteous (Psalms 11:7, Psalms 19:9, Psalms 116:5, Psalms 119:137,
Psalms 119:160, Psalms 129:4, Psalms 145:17, Daniel 9:14, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 John
2:1, Revelation 16:5, Revelation 16:7, Revelation 19:2).
Because God is righteous (Psalms 11:7, Psalms
19:9, Psalms 116:5, Psalms 119:137, Psalms 119:160, Psalms 129:4, Psalms
145:17, Daniel 9:14, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 John 2:1, Revelation 16:5, Revelation
16:7, Revelation 19:2), and because besides God there is none righteous (Romans
3:10), it follows that only God is righteous. Sin was in the world
already before the law (Romans 5:13) because only God is righteous and no one
else. Because only God is righteous, God speaks truth, all His words are in
righteousness, and He cannot lie (Proverbs 8:7-8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18) and
the law is given by the word of God, it is inevitable that through the law all
the world may become guilty before God (Romans 3:19).
However, God does not tempt any man into sin. But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. And
when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin and sin, when it is finished,
brings forth death (James 1:13-15).
It needs to be noted here that Adam and Eve knew
good and evil only once they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
but not before (Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:22). Without knowing good and evil, man
cannot have any thought or intent of the heart that requires knowing good and
evil. Being ashamed (Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:7) was possible only once they ate
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Being afraid (Genesis 3:9-10)
and blaming (Genesis 3:11-12) shortly followed being ashamed. Therefore,
Adam and Eve could not have had any thought or intent of the heart that
requires knowing good and evil, such as being ashamed, afraid, or blaming
anyone before they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, no matter
what Satan spoke to Eve (Genesis 3:1-6).
Both Adam and Eve transgressed the law not by
accident but did so willingly (Genesis 3:1-6). They both knew God’s commandment to man not to eat of the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that man eats thereof he
shall surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). Eve ate first of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil. Adam was with Eve when she ate and gave to him, so that he also ate
of it (Genesis 3:6). Satan, in the form of a serpent, spoke to Eve contrary to
the word of God. He denied the word of God that they shall surely die if they eat
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:4). Furthermore, he
suggested that if they eat of it, because of knowing good and evil, their eyes
shall be opened and they would be as gods, and that God forbade them to eat of
it because God wouldn't want them to have this (Genesis 3:5).
God forbids man to "know" good and evil
because once man knows good and evil man shall surely die and because God does
not want man to surely die (Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:22).
The word of Satan pleased Eve’s desire for wisdom
to the highest degree, while denying the word of God and suggesting that this
wisdom cannot be obtained through God (Genesis 3:1-6).
Adam hearkened unto the voice of his wife Eve
(Genesis 3:17). But because Eve never affirmed the word of Satan in what she
spoke to Satan (Genesis 3:1-6), the voice of Eve that Adam hearkened unto must
have been something that Eve spoke to Adam after Satan had spoken to her. Adam
and Eve were united as man and wife being one flesh (Genesis 2:23-24), which
made Eve's desire either their mutual desire or the desire of none of them, so
that their decision in any case was one (Genesis 3:6).
Adam and Eve did not have the desire to die (Genesis 3:1-6). While the knowledge
that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has must contain only truth, no
truth can invalidate any other truth. Eating of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil was not the only way they could have found out whether the word
of God or the word of Satan was the truth; they could have sought out God. But
neither Adam nor Eve sought out God for the truth after Satan had spoken to Eve
contrary to the word of God (Genesis 3:1-6). Therefore, the root cause
of why neither Adam nor Eve sought out God for the truth after Satan had spoken
to Eve contrary to the word of God (Genesis 3:1-6), was that both Adam and Eve lacked
the love of the truth. The desire to make one wise was without the love of the
truth.
By perverting the word of God and speaking to Eve,
Satan murdered both Adam and Eve with a crafty plan which exploited their lack
of the love of the truth to turn their mutual desires as man and wife, beginning
with Eve’s desire for wisdom, into lust, that is desire contrary to the word of
God, unto their death (John 8:44, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:1-6, Genesis 5:5,
Romans 5:12-14).
Genesis 6:5
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was
great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually."
Genesis 8:21
"And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the
LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's
sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I
again smite any more every thing living, as I have done."
Jeremiah 17:9
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?"
We only know evil because evil is already present
in every single human, having been passed down to us from our parents ever
since their original transgression of eating of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-14). This is why the
imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth (Genesis 8:21), and not
because of what we know from Scripture.
Ever since Satan murdered Adam and Eve (John 8:44,
Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:1-6, Genesis 5:5, Romans 5:12-14), he has been using
the same plan as a foundation for his workings and has crafted the mystery of
iniquity with all deceivableness of unrighteousness to have as many of mankind
as possible perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). Satan's work in this world
is the mystery of iniquity, which is ungodliness under the pretence of
godliness, spiritual wickedness under the pretence of charity, iniquity under
the pretence of faith, lust under the pretence of hope, lies under the pretence
of truth, perdition under the pretence of salvation, and it was already at work
since the time of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). And he who comes after
the working of Satan works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them
that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
We need to note here who Jesus Christ is, taking
great care not to let man's wisdom to instruct us on Scripture but to let
Scripture instruct us (2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Romans 1:21-23,
Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29). When we acknowledge the Godhead (Acts 17:29, Romans
1:20, Colossians 2:9), that in
Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), and
how Scripture describes a person, it is clear that God is only one Person, that
is Jesus Christ, while the Father is Spirit dwelling in Jesus Christ (John 14:8-10,
John 17:21-23). See Appendix for details.
It needs to be noted here
that we exist in things which are seen and in things which are not seen. The
things which are seen are temporal, which is our outward man and physical; this
is our physical body in this world. The things which are not seen are eternal,
which is the inward man and spiritual; this is our spirit and soul (1
Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Perishing of our outward man is the
death of our physical body and the separation of our body from our spirit and
soul, and this is only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Perishing of the
inward man (2 Thessalonians 2:10) is a condition of everlasting destruction and
separation from God, and this is eternal (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). God is not
willing that any man should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2
Peter 3:9). We are saved from perishing, that is saved from everlasting
destruction, by having believed in the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The
question of what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is immediately
draws the mind to try to know evil. But because Scripture
cannot give man the knowledge of good and evil, trying to know evil inevitably
draws us away from sound doctrine. Therefore, the more we try to know evil, the
more we are drawn away from sound doctrine. Because being good at studying
Scripture to become a teacher of it, exercises our senses to discern both good
and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14), the more we try to know evil (and thereby are drawn
away from sound doctrine), the less we can discern both good and evil. With
this lack of discernment, we then easily fall into man's wisdom and philosophy
(1 Corinthians 2:13-14,
Romans 1:21-23, Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29), and are easily beguiled
by seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1), which draws us
ever closer towards evil, including the evil in our own hearts. This happens
very fast and at its endpoint we are driven to darkness (Isaiah 8:19-22).
Therefore, the question of what the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil is draws us to try to know evil, which if followed
puts us on a path that very quickly leads to darkness.
However, if we turn from and pass away from the
question of what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is, but instead
practice being good at studying Scripture to become a teacher of it, we are
drawn towards sound doctrine and not towards evil. Therefore, we have our
senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14), so that when
we are confronted with evil, we turn from evil.
And herein is a crossroads revealed, where we can
choose a path towards the learning of the teaching of the word of God or a path
towards darkness.
The following Bible verses are an edification in keeping
away from evil:
Psalms 141:4
"Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to
practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their
dainties."
Proverbs 3:7
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the
LORD, and depart from evil."
Proverbs 4:13-15
"13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her
not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go
not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and
pass away."
Proverbs 4:26-27
"26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all
thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
remove thy foot from evil."
Proverbs 14:16
"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:
but the fool rageth, and is confident."
Romans 12:9
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
Romans 16:17-19
"17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.
I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that
which is good, and simple concerning evil."
Romans 16:19
"For your obedience is come abroad unto all
men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto
that which is good, and simple concerning evil."
Ephesians 4:27
"Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 5:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
"21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil."
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you."
Appendix: Who is Jesus Christ? Godhead versus Trinity
All Bible quotations of
this Bible study are exclusively from the King James Bible
(1769 Edition).
This Bible study applies
questioning based on biblical teaching which can be found in 2 Timothy 2:15-16,
1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Romans 1:22-23, Colossians 2:8 and Acts 17:29.
2 Timothy 2:15-16
“15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and
vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
1 Corinthians 2:13-14
"13 Which things also
we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Romans 1:22-23
"22 Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory
of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to
birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
Colossians 2:8
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.”
Acts 17:29
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we
ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone,
graven by art and man's device.”
Vain imaginations, man's
wisdom and philosophies are great challenges in the study of the Bible.
Therefore, in all Bible
study, but with a particular emphasis when it comes to the things of the Spirit
of God, it is necessary that we ask ourselves the following two questions:
Are we studying and rightly
dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), or are we formulating profane and
vain babblings which the Bible warns against and
teaches not to do
(2 Timothy 2:16)?
Note: Studying and rightly
dividing the word of truth requires effort of the mind and the application of
diligence and logic within the spiritual teaching of the Bible. This brings us
to the second question.
Are we comparing spiritual
things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13-14), or are we adopting man's wisdom
and philosophies to
describe the things of the Spirit of God which the
Bible warns against and teaches not to
do (1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Romans 1:22-23, Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29)?
Note: When we strain our
mind and apply diligence and logic in the study of the Bible we need to remain
in the spiritual teaching of the Bible, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual, and not slide into man's wisdom and philosophy.
Applying these questions
in the Bible study of the Godhead versus the Trinity we find the following.
The word “Trinity” is never used in the Bible, but the word “Godhead” is (Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9).
All formulations of the
Trinity imply the description of God as different Persons, either with the use
of the base word "person" or without it and instead with the use of
words like "individual", "character", "entity",
"figure" and so on. Unless the existence of a person is explicitly
denied, every use of the base word "person" implies a person. Most
importantly, when enquired for the meaning of the base word "person",
those formulations of the Trinity that don't use the base word
"person" will imply the meaning of the base word "person"
through the application of man's wisdom and philosophy.
Therefore, as a first step
it is necessary to look at how the Bible uses the base word "person", including all its
inflections and derivatives. Please look up what a base word, its inflections
and derivatives are. Examples of inflections and derivatives of the base word
"person" include but are not limited to the words "person",
"persons", "personal", "personality",
"personify" and "personification".
The following is the
listing of all Bible verses where the base word "person" appears,
including all its inflections and derivatives:
Genesis 14:21, Genesis
36:6, Genesis 39:6, Exodus 12:48, Exodus 16:16, Leviticus 19:15, Leviticus 27:2,
Numbers 5:6, Numbers 19:17, Numbers 19:18, Numbers 19:19, Numbers 19:22, Numbers
31:19, Numbers 31:28, Numbers 31:30, Numbers 31:35, Numbers 31:40, Numbers
31:46, Numbers 35:11, Numbers 35:15, Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 1:17, Deuteronomy
10:17, Deuteronomy 10:22, Deuteronomy 15:22, Deuteronomy 16:19, Deuteronomy
27:25, Deuteronomy 28:50, Joshua 20:3, Joshua 20:9, Judges 9:2, Judges 9:4, Judges
9:5, Judges 9:18, Judges 20:39, 1 Samuel 9:2, 1 Samuel 9:22, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1
Samuel 22:18, 1 Samuel 22:22, 1 Samuel 25:35, 2 Samuel 4:11, 2 Samuel 14:14, 2
Samuel 17:11, 2 Kings 10:6, 2 Kings 10:7, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Job 13:8, Job
13:10, Job 22:29, Job 32:21, Job 34:19, Psalms 15:4, Psalms 26:4, Psalms 49:10,
Psalms 82:2, Psalms 101:4, Psalms 105:37, Proverbs 6:12, Proverbs 12:11, Proverbs
18:5, Proverbs 24:8, Proverbs 24:23, Proverbs 28:17, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs
28:21, Isaiah 32:5, Isaiah 32:6, Jeremiah 43:6, Jeremiah 52:25, Jeremiah 52:29,
Jeremiah 52:30, Lamentations 4:16, Ezekiel 16:5, Ezekiel 17:17, Ezekiel 27:13, Ezekiel
33:6, Ezekiel 44:25, Daniel 11:21, Jonah 4:11, Zephaniah 3:4, Malachi 1:8, Malachi
1:9, Matthew 22:16, Matthew 27:24, Mark 12:14, Luke 15:7, Luke 20:21, Acts
10:34, Acts 17:17, Romans 2:11, 1 Corinthians 5:13, 2 Corinthians 1:11, 2
Corinthians 2:10, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 5:5, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25,
1 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 12:16, James 2:1, James 2:9, 1 Peter 1:17,
2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:11, Jude 1:16
In every instance, the
Bible uses the base word "person", either as the singular word
"person" to describe a single person or as the plural word
"persons" to describe multiple persons, while each person is
described as:
- always one single person
with one single body that is visible to the human eye
- never a person without a
body
- never a person with a
body that is not visible to the human eye
- never multiple persons
with the same single body
- never one single person
with multiple bodies
In the Bible, the
Trinity's way of using the base word "person" does not occur.
It is important at this
point to remember again to be comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1
Corinthians 2:13-14) to remain within the spiritual teaching of the Bible,
particularly when the Bible speaks of the things of the Spirit of God,
particularly the Godhead. And it is important to remember that the
Bible warns against and teaches not to adopt a conception of the Godhead that
is based on man's wisdom
and philosophies (1 Corinthians 2:13-14,
Romans 1:22-23,
Colossians 2:8, Acts 17:29).
The following
examples show that the Trinity is a form of applying man's wisdom and
philosophies to the things of the Spirit of God, particularly to the Godhead,
and the consequences thereof:
John 14:8-9
"8 Philip saith unto
him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him,
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he
that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the
Father?"
Even
the inner circle around Jesus Christ struggled with precisely this conception
of the Godhead that is based on man's
wisdom and philosophy (John 14:8-9).
This is also the case with Philip, who asks Jesus Christ to show them the Father (John 14:8). Because Philip sees Jesus Christ's body, his request
shows that he believes the Father to be a different Person than Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ's answer to Philip shows
that Philip does not know Jesus Christ because he
requests Jesus Christ,
Who is bodily visible to Philip, to show them the Father (John 14:9). But Jesus Christ's answer also
shows that He
expects a Christian who follows Him to know Him (John 14:9).
Galatians 3:13
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that
hangeth on a tree:"
When Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of
the law, this could not happen by destroying the law but only in fulfillment of
the law, because God is not a liar and must keep His word (Proverbs 8:7-8).
Therefore, it is written that Jesus
Christ came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), and
that Jesus Christ came not to do His own will but to do the Father's will which
has sent Him (John 6:38-40).
However, it is also written that everyone that
hangeth on a tree is cursed (Galatians 3:13). But
how then could Jesus Christ redeem us from the curse of the law if He hanged on
a tree and the law cannot be destroyed? The only way was Jesus
Christ being made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), and this can never be
undone, as the law cannot be destroyed because God is not a liar (Proverbs
8:7-8).
When we acknowledge that in Jesus Christ dwells
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), God is only one
Person, that is Jesus Christ, while the Father is Spirit dwelling in Jesus
Christ (John 14:8-10, John 17:21-23), revealing God Himself being made a curse
for us to redeem us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). This shows the
ultimate act of God's love for us (Ephesians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 John
4:10, Revelation 1:5) and perfectly agrees with John 17:23 stating that the Father
has loved us as He has loved Jesus Christ.
However, applying the Trinity here, which is to
describe God as different Persons, implies
the distinct Person of the Father and the distinct Person of Jesus Christ.
This would mean that the Person of Jesus Christ was being made a curse for us,
but not the Person of the Father, because applying the Trinity implies that
only the Person of Jesus Christ had hanged on a tree and not the Person of the
Father (1 John 4:10). This would make the Person of the Father child
sacrificing and therefore less loving of the Person of Jesus Christ, which
stands in violation of John 17:23 stating that the Father has loved us as He
has loved Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is revealed here that the Trinity
perverts the Gospel into Molech worship (Leviticus 18:21) which is an
abomination in God's sight (1 Kings 11:6-7). This again shows the danger of
applying man's wisdom and philosophies to the
things of the Spirit of God, particularly to the Godhead.
Preliminary End of Study
This study is to be continued, including but not
limited to the use of the following Bible verses:
The Bible describes that a
human being consists of spirit, soul and body as Paul is addressing the
Thessalonians, and the Thessalonians are human beings (1
Thessalonians 5:23).
In the Bible a human is
also described as a person.
Jesus Christ is described
as the express image of God's Person (Hebrews 1:3)
Paul speaks of the person
of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:10)
Pilate describes Jesus as
a Person (Matthew 27:24)
Jesus Christ is born in
the flesh and is conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary (Matthew
1:20). No ovum or sperm is involved in the conception of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is a Man (has
a body in the likeness of men) but He is not a human (Philippians 2:7).
Jesus Christ has always
existed as a Man. He had to be born in the flesh to fulfill the law of the Old
Testament.
Jesus Christ is God.
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