“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:5).  Maybe the greatest lie ever told was to Eve.  She was deceived by that old serpent the Devil.  We know it was a lie because death came as a result of the transgression of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:19).  We know Satan told a lie to Eve because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Yet even today, we see sin and the consequences thereof and we essentially deceive ourselves into believing that we can partake in sin without the consequence of spiritual death.

     Many today view the word of God as a suggestion book on living your life perfectly.  Many have come to the conclusion that God is a forgiving God and that He will not at all hold us accountable for our actions.  Some even go to the word of God to justify their sinful actions by misapplying the doctrine of grace.  Some think the grace of God means that He is blind to their many short comings.  The idea that Satan introduced into the mind of Eve is truly a living idea today.  “Ye shall not surely die” is the silent theme of the erring generation in which we live.  The Judgment Day and all teaching of accountability, seems to fall on deaf ears.  Yes, there are many who are willing to partake of whatever fruit of sin the Devil will put on their proverbial plate.  Even further, some are not content with just a little sin, they want “seconds”.

     Some would say today that they can do all sorts of sins as long as it is not the “big ones” (i.e. murder, major theft, idolatry, etc.).  Some would say, “I can lie as long as it does not hurt anyone.”  Oh, but every lie you tell most certainly hurts you.  John penned the following by inspiration: “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).  What part of “ALL” do some people fail to understand?  Our Lord does not appreciate dishonesty.  Lying is one of several things Solomon listed that God hates (Proverbs 6:17; 19).  So, can you really claim that ye shall not surely die if you choose to lie?

     Some would say that, among the “little sins”, they can have and view pornographic materials.  Arguments range from “I’m just looking” to “God made the human body beautiful to look at”.  The Lord however says something different: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28-29).  So, can you really claim that ye shall not surely die if you simply enjoy lust of the eye?

     Among the “little sins” of our time comes the thought that gambling is justifiable with the Lord.  Many think that any way to get money, without robbing a bank, is a good way to do so.  First, we ought to learn that: “… godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:6-10).  Secondly, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase” (Proverbs 13:11).  Finally (along this point), when we gamble and win, we are taking what was lost by someone else.  Consider that this is theft.  In regards to such, our Lord says: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28).  So, can you really claim that ye shall not surely die if you choose to gamble away what the Lord blessed you with?

     Many of our time think that walking their own way is not sin at all.  They think that religion is found not through the Lord and His word, but within one’s own heart.  The Lord has been clear in His word that it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).  God had Moses to speak unto the children of Israel to tell them the following: “…remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God” (Numbers 15:39-40).  Solomon penned many great words of wisdom, including these: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil… The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 3:7; 12:15).   So, can you really claim that ye shall not surely die if you choose to walk according to your own ways?

     Many more examples could be used to display the self-deception of many.  Satan’s work with Eve continues today in the lives of the majority of mankind.  He is effective.  The prophesied population of Hell proves Satan is a great deceiver (Matthew 7:13-14; 22:14).  It truly is sad how little it takes to gain the souls of many.  People are willing to gamble their lives away for the pleasure of sin.

     When speaking of the pleasure of sin, it is always good to show that sin is pleasurable only for a brief time (Hebrews 11:25).  Jesus asked: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matthew 16:26)?  Few people realize the worth of their soul and the reality of Hell.  Yet, as with most wagers, the reality of loss is not felt at the time the wager is made.  The consequences of a failed bet are realized when it is time to pay up.

     The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man clearly illustrates that one can enjoy the pleasures of this world without realizing the reality of torment (Luke 16:19-31).  The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man illustrates the foolishness of planning earthly comfort while ignoring the plans one should make for their soul (Luke 12:16-21).  The Judgment Day will commence at the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Timothy 4:1).  At that unknown time (Matthew 25:36), Jesus will judge us based upon our works (II Corinthians 5:10).  It will be a sad day for those who wagered their soul for a mere speck of time in pleasure upon this earth just to find that the punishment of Hell is eternal.

     When the Devil introduces sins into our lives we need to steer clear of it, knowing that we should not bet our souls on the Devils promise that we shall not surely die.  If Adam and Eve are not a good enough example, hear the words of the earlier mentioned Rich Man as He sits in the torment of Hades as he essentially says don’t come here (Luke 16:27-30).

     The reality of eternal consequences falls significantly upon deaf ears in the world today.  Sadly, such is even the case with many so-called “Christians” who are mere physical bodies portraying themselves as members of the spiritual body of Christ.  Jesus warns us of EVERLASTING punishment (Matthew 25:46).  He warns of the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14).  Jesus not only promises life to the obedient in the resurrection, He also promises eternal punishment to the wicked (John 5:28-29).

     We may try all day long to convince ourselves that we can commit sin without eternal consequence, but the word of God testifies that we will be either rewarded for our righteousness in Christ Jesus or punished for our sins (Galatians 6:7-8 and II Thessalonians 1:8-9).  If we sin and do not confess and repent of those sins, WE SHALL SURELY DIE (Luke 13:3; 5).