“To know good and evil" is a statement found in Gen. 3. In the first 4000 years of man's history, it seems that men had nearly lost that knowledge. In Mal. 3:18 it says, "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.”
We ask now, has an additional 2000 years helped the human race in their intelligence as to the knowledge of good and evil? Do men now discern more clearly between the righteous and the wicked? Can we better discern between him that serves God and him that serves Him not?
In our history we have shown that we have not the power to do the good nor to resist the evil. These 6000 years have not changed this. Time has not improved the human race, but, rather, do you not agree that it is worse?
Conscience—the knowledge of good and evil—is like good eyesight. But good eyes are not enough. Light is needed for the eye and also for the conscience. Light has been given. God is light. It is available, but men do not want it. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
The development of evil is described this way in 2 Tim. 3:13: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Prophetically, through Jeremiah, the Lord says, "My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish [foolish] children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." Jet 4:22.
Instead of being discouraged by this state of things around us, the Christian has guidance and instruction to meet the condition in a positive way. We are told, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom. 12:21. Also in Gal. 6:9 it says, "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Ed.
Yield yourselves unto God,
as those that are
alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments
of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:13