You Shall Be as Gods
Genesis 3: 5 in speaking of origins note that in the day Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the forbidden tree their eyes would be opened and they would be as gods knowing good and evil. Up until that time they had only known good.
Some translations use “as “ and others “like.” “Like” and “as” both can imply similarity in the way an action is performed. In light of that various translations of Genesis 3: 5 use “like God” and others “as God.” The point is human beings became able to choose as God did. Human beings became like or as a god in their world and ever since have ruled in their world choosing either good or evil.
Webster’s Bible Translation” reads, “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
The “Contemporary English Version” reads, “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.”
The point is as God knows good from evil, human beings will be able to know the difference.
They believed an insidious lie that continues to flourish today, “you shall be like God,” that is, you shall become godlike.
In our desire to be gods, we become like Satan. It was Satan who said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). In contrast, we should be like Jesus.
Ever since that initial wrong choice human beings have often chosen evil over the good.
Had the privilege to choose not be afforded human beings we would have merely been God’s puppets.
Satan disguises his lies with truth when he speaks, it is not all lies, in fact his lies are well hidden within the veil of truth. It is like poison mixed with life giving water. It looks like water but in it is deadly poison.
Now that we know good and evil it is incumbent upon us to choose the good. Daily we are confronted with dozens of good and evil options. Our lives are cast in the mold they fashion us as being.
These conclusions are made on the basis of us having a free will. That conclusion is based on Adam and Eve having free wills.
As Joshua challenged the children of Israel “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …” (Joshua 25: 15). You are challenged many times to do this.
This further charge is given to us as it was to the people of that day: “ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30: 19)