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“Eritis sicut dii”—”You will be like gods.” These words, spoken by the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5), continue to echo powerfully in today’s world. The same temptation that led to the fall of our first parents is still present in our society, disguised as modern ideologies, promises of self-sufficiency, and a systematic rejection of God. But what does this phrase really mean? How does it manifest today? And most importantly, how can we resist this seduction that distances us from the Creator?
1. The Biblical Context: The Origin of the Lie
In the book of Genesis, Satan approaches Eve and presents her with a temptation wrapped in the appearance of good:
“God knows very well that the day you eat of it [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil], your eyes will be opened, and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
This is the first deception in human history. It is a lie mixed with truth. Yes, Adam and Eve did acquire knowledge of good and evil, but not like God—instead, they did so in a way that separated them from Him. Rather than rising to greatness, they fell into the misery of sin, death, and spiritual slavery.
Since then, humanity has lived under the shadow of this lie: the idea that we can attain fullness, divinity, without God.
2. “You Will Be Like Gods” in the Modern World
If we analyze our culture, we see how this ancient temptation has taken various contemporary forms:
a) Radical Self-Sufficiency: “I Don’t Need God”
Today’s society promotes absolute autonomy, where man believes he is the master and lord of his own destiny. The idea of God is seen as an obstacle, a limitation to self-determination. We are told that morality is relative, that each person can define their own truth, their own good and evil—exactly as the serpent promised.
b) Transhumanism: The Pursuit of Immortality
Science and technology have achieved impressive advancements, but often with the illusion of replacing God. Projects such as artificial intelligence, genetic manipulation, and cryogenics are not merely about improving life; they are about surpassing human nature, making man a “god” who controls life and death.
c) Spirituality Without God
It is increasingly common to hear phrases like “the power is within you” or “you are a divine being.” Many modern spiritual movements attempt to replace a relationship with God with self-worship, turning people into their own gods. This is evident in the rise of New Age beliefs, esotericism, and radical individualistic spirituality.
d) Moral Relativism: The Redefinition of Good and Evil
Today, what was once recognized as evil is now celebrated, and what was once good is now rejected. This is no coincidence but rather a manifestation of the same temptation from Eden: the desire to be like gods, establishing our own rules instead of submitting to divine law.
3. The Christian Response: True Divinization
Interestingly, Christianity teaches that God does indeed want us to share in His divine nature. Saint Peter tells us:
“Through these [divine promises], you may become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
But there is a fundamental difference between the lie of Eden and the truth of the Gospel:
- Satan promised divinity through disobedience and self-sufficiency.
- Christ gives us divinity through grace, humility, and obedience.
True “deification” of man does not come from becoming independent of God but from uniting with Him. The saints are the best example of this: rather than wanting to be gods on their own, they surrendered to God’s will and achieved a transformative union with Him.
4. How to Resist the Lie and Live in the Truth
In the face of the modern temptation to “be like gods,” the Church offers us a clear path to living in the truth of Christ:
a) Humility: Recognizing Our Dependence on God
The antidote to the pride of Eden is humility. We must acknowledge that without God, we are nothing, and that only in Him do we find our fulfillment.
b) Prayer and the Sacraments: Sources of Grace
Confession and the Eucharist heal and strengthen us against the temptation of self-sufficiency. Constant prayer reminds us that we are creatures, not gods.
c) Obedience to Revealed Truth
We must not fall into the trap of relativism. Truth is not subjective; it has been revealed by God in Scripture and Tradition. The doctrine of the Church is not an arbitrary imposition but God’s loving guide for our eternal happiness.
d) Charity: True Greatness Lies in Love
The world tells us that power and independence are the path to greatness, but Christ shows us the opposite: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
5. Conclusion: Choosing Between the Lie and the Truth
Every day, we face the same choice that Adam and Eve did:
- To believe the lie of the serpent, which tells us that we can be gods without God.
- Or to accept Christ’s invitation, calling us to truly partake in His divine nature—but through the path of love, the cross, and obedience.
The world shouts at us: “Eritis sicut dii”, but Christ whispers: “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
May we choose wisely.
