Repenting of the Original Sin

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Have you repented of the original sin?

“And when the woman 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, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)

What did the woman base this fateful decision upon? She based it upon the suggestion of Satan.

Satan said: “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5).

Satan's corrupt gospel involved trying to be god. This sin made him the enemy of God: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12–14).

Satan began by causing the woman to doubt God's goodness. Satan responded to God’s warning sarcastically: “Yea, hath God said, . .” (Genesis 3:1). And denied the danger by asserting: “Ye shall not surely die:”(Genesis 3:4). Further, he asserted that God was holding out on them.

Satan then proposed that they would be their own authority through getting wisdom. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5).

This is still true since all people must either trust God and His Word, or believe Satan’s gospel of self authority and autonomy from God. Satan continues to use the same method, and this is the result: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”

The way of faith trusts both God’s love and character. Each of us must resist the same temptations that led to the original sin.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7, 8).

“...without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

This is the way of faith: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverb 3:5–7).

When people choose separation from God, they assuredly are going to experience the fate of Satan and his demons. Their fate is that of a defeated nation.They will share in the fate of their fallen leader (Matthew 25:41).

There is another far better way! Repent of being your own god. Trust God's infinite love and Christ’s promise of a heavenly home. The Lord Jesus says: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).


Related reading: Repentance is Necessary; Forgiveness Precedes Regeneration; Repentance Unto Life