What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Why did Adam and Eve become selfish immediately after the fall, while Satan underwent a long process of change?"
Answer
The difference in the process of change lies in that Lucifer nurtured his pride and his striving for self‑exaltation over a long period “step by step,” while he actively chose against God’s loving warnings. In contrast, Adam and Eve were deceived into accepting the principle of selfishness, which instantly corrupted their nature and replaced love for God with fear and self‑justification. As soon as they sinned, their light garment faded, and the spirit of self‑accusation, which comes from the devil, immediately took possession of them.
The Slow Fall of Lucifer
»Step by step, Lucifer gave in to the desire for self‑exaltation... Although all his glory originated from God, this mighty angel began to regard it as his own. Not satisfied with his position, even though he was honored among the heavenly host, he dared to desire the worship that belongs to the Creator alone... The warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only awakened a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed his envy toward Christ to prevail and became all the more determined.«
The Immediate Change of Adam and Eve
»The love and peace they had possessed vanished, and in their place they felt an awareness of sin, a fear of the future, a nakedness of the soul. The light garment that had enveloped them now disappeared... Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin; but instead of showing remorse, he sought to shift the blame onto his wife and thereby onto God himself... The spirit of self‑justification sprang from the father of lies; it was nurtured by our first parents as soon as they yielded to Satan's influence.«
The Corruption of Human Nature
»Through disobedience his powers were perverted, and selfishness replaced love. His nature was weakened by the transgression to the point that he could not, by his own strength, resist the pressure of evil. He was captured by Satan... After his sin he could no longer find joy in holiness and sought to hide from the presence of God.«
Selfishness as a New Life Principle
»It was this striving [to live for oneself] that incited the rebellion in heaven, and it was humanity's acceptance of this principle that brought sin to the earth. When Adam sinned, man broke out of the center ordained by heaven. A demon became the central power in the world. Where God's throne should have been, Satan had erected his throne.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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