Bible Study Course: Lesson 2 The Word of God: The Foundation of Knowledge

Why Man Rejects the Knowledge of God

Who is the ultimate source of all misinformation and disinformation—whether about scriptural or secular knowledge?

". . . The god of this age has blinded [the minds of those who are perishing]" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The King James Version renders this same phrase: "the god of this world" Many modern Christians are decidedly uncomfortable with the reality of Satan and the biblical accounts of Jesus Christ's encounters with deranged spirits, which the Bible calls demons. But sooner or later we have to come to terms with the truthfulness of Christ's personal witness. He stated as fact: "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18).

As a direct result of the deception described by the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 4:4), how does the Bible depict the spiritual plight of the present age of man?

". . . Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age . . ." (Galatians 1:3-4).

Again, the King James Version translates the key phrase as "this present evil world." So the god of this world has blinded its inhabitants through his many deceptions (compare 1 John 5:19). Yet we are promised that divine deliverance is available to us.

Who are we talking about? Who is really responsible for this massive world-encircling deception?

"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world . . ." (Revelation 12:9).

Satan is a fallen archangel. As the righteous Lucifer (meaning "Light-bringer") he had been present at the very throne of God, but he turned from God's way to a diametrically different way of life, and he was eventually consumed with vanity, jealousy and greed. Two chapters in the Bible deal with the devil's origin and his subsequent rebellion against God (carefully compare Isaiah 14:12-15 with Ezekiel 28:11-16).

How extensive is Satan's influence?

". . . The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19).

Most people assume that the world is a pretty good place or at least neutral in its influence. But the Bible reveals that Satan is the god of this age, and at this time this is his world. Tragically, his deception is so widespread that few realize the extent to which the world has accepted his disinformation and distorted knowledge (to learn more about his influence, be sure to request our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?)

How did Satan approach Eve ("the mother of all living") in the Garden of Eden?

"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).

God revealed true spiritual knowledge to Adam and Eve. Then Satan, in the guise of a serpent, caused Eve to doubt their very Creator's truthfulness. She persuaded her husband to join in the subsequent act of disobedience—eating the forbidden fruit. God had said, in effect, to Adam: "You should not have listened to the voice of your wife" (Genesis 3:17). Satan had misrepresented God! He lied to Eve about her ultimate fate. "You will not surely die," said the serpent (compare verses 1-7).

In deceiving Eve, what assurances did the devil offer her?

"For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (verse 5).

This much of Satan's manipulation of Eve is true. Their eyes were opened to the knowledge of good and evil. "Then the LORD God said, Behold the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil" (verse 22). This unfortunate trend of rejecting God's instruction, established right at the time of our human beginnings, has continued unabated to the present day. The world is filled with both truth and error, both good and evil. The devil cunningly mixes right with wrong. Often people can't discern the important difference. God has to reveal it. For that revelation, His Word is essential. It is the foundation of all true knowledge!

What was one of the reasons that Jesus Christ entered the world?

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself [Jesus] likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy [render powerless, New American Standard Bible] him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14).

Jesus Christ's death provided the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He paid the death penalty for us and offers humankind the gift of eternal life. This act defeated Satan's purposes and was the essential first step of salvation upon which more spiritual knowledge could then be added.