The devil (Lucifer) cleverly devised his plan to be like God by tricking Adam and Eve into eating from tree of knowledge of good and evil instead of The tree of Life.

This made him spiritual opposition to God Himself and total opposite in representing and controlling all that is evil, like God represents and controls all that is good, thus in a since being like most high GOD.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of morning! how art thou cut down to ground, which didst weaken nations! For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above stars of God: I will sit also upon mount of congregation, in sides of north: I will ascend above heights of clouds; I will be like most High.

He also wants to trick as many of us as possible into sinning and not trusting in God by any means necessary just like he deceived Adam and Eve.

The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents worldly achievements (the way of death) since devil promised eve they would be as gods. Likewise tree of life represents eternal life which is a gift only God has power to offer.

There were two paths, and only two. The tree of eternal Life (of which Adam and eve could have clearly and freely eaten from with Gods blessing) or path that leads to death, tree of knowledge of good and evil which God forbid them from eating from.

The minute Adam and Eve choice to eat from tree of knowledge of good and evil (the path that leads to death) our free will was established in this area.

This free will consists of ability to make a choice whether it be good or evil, right or wrong, prosperous or wasteful and done of your own accord.

Genesis 3:22 And Lord God said, Behold, man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Terry Dashner…………………..Faith Fellowship Church PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013

As a Christian is it ever right to bear arms against another human being? If called to war, should I object by authority of scripture that says, “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him other also” (Matthew 5:39). If I follow example of Jesus, should I ever raise a sword against another to subdue him? Before I answer either yea or nay, let me look again at scriptures.

Through years, I’ve wrestled with teachings of Jesus regarding restraint against an enemy I’m supposed to love. What I’m going to share with you is what I’ve come to believe about Jesus’ teaching regarding my enemies.

Jesus was a pacifist, but He was not a push over. For example when he stood against merchandisers in temple, Bible says that He “drove” them out. He was fearless. He was aggressive, assertive, and angry when He over turned money tables and sent merchants packing. John 2:14-16 says, “And found in temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of temple, and sheep, and oxen; and poured out changers' money, and overthrew tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.”

Jesus didn’t use swords, but some of His disciples carried them. In Luke 22:49-50 it says, “When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with sword? And one of them smote servant of high priest, and cut off his right ear.” And then again in John 18:10-11 it says, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into sheath: cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”