“Gold, God, and Glory!” This is the moniker used by modern Historians to describe the spark that ignited the Old World’s desire to explore, expand, and conquer the New World. Commencing in the late fifteenth century, lucrative merchants persuaded their western European monarchies that a direct trade route to Asia was necessary to secure the stability of their wealth. Thus, the race to be the first to create and own such a connection gave way to the exploration of the seas by countries such as Spain, England, Portugal, and others. Desiring to discover a sea route that led into China and Southeast Asia (lands rich with silk and spices), instead what these European explorers discovered was uncharted territory out west that would later become known as the Americas. This fabulous surprise began the era of European colonization today referred to as the Columbian Exchange. Plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas were transferred between the Americas and Europe. Nonetheless, these were not the only things that were interchanged between the Old World and the New. Fifteenth century Spain and Portugal quickly rose to power in Europe as they conquered much of the Western Hemisphere by defeating Indigenous empires such as the Inca and Aztec. In theory, the locals should have had the upper hand in battle since they knew the land much better the European settlers. Without a doubt, the advanced weaponry of the Old World was formidable against those standing in the way of their conquest, but it was something else that had come along with them from the Eastern hemisphere that ultimately granted them full victory. Several historians believe that a major factor in the success of conquering the natives was the introduction and spread of new diseases. Influenza, smallpox, measles, and typhus fever were part of the first infirmities that decimated a large quantity of the Native Americans population. A tragic consequence of coming into contact with the people from the Old World who already had an immunization to these illnesses. Historical scholars surmise that the sweeping epidemic of these diseases spread very rapidly in the Americas and created a demographic disaster of insurmountable proportions. The impact of these European diseases was immediately felt in the Americas and sadly smaller tribes were placed on the brink of extinction. There is no doubt that the lack of understanding how these diseases spread from man to man was in part to blame for this horrific consequence. Had this knowledge been available at that time, perhaps a careful selection of those making the voyage would have taken place to avoid such calamity. Millions of lives could have been spared had those infected with these diseases been separated and not allowed to come into contact with others until they were fully recovered from the illness. In a situation such as this one, it is inarguable that a quarantine would have been an act of mercy; not one of spite. Because this is true from the physical sense, it is true from the spiritual side as well. The apostle Paul warned Timothy, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure” (1st Timothy 5:22, emphasis added). In our previous article, the infectious nature of sin was revealed by God’s inspired Word. The apostle Paul illuminated that Adam was “patient zero” in this world and thus contaminated God’s holy creation with sin. However, it was declared that Adam was not the originator of sin; Adam came in contact with sin. Therefore this begs the question: How did Adam become infected? Holy Writ explains, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15, emphasis added). Remember that when sin entered the world, death became the consequence of this spiritual malady (Romans 5:12, 6:23). Adam and Eve opened the door to sin when they disobeyed God’s commandment concerning the Tree of Knowledge, but this was the outward evidence of the internal infection. Similar to the European settlers who introduced smallpox to the Native Americans by coming into contact with them, Satan introduced sin to man when he contacted Eve. The inspired James warns that “let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:13-15, emphasis added). The imagery chosen by the Holy Spirit is irrefutably that of the process of giving birth. Observe how it is that this process begins with a strong desire. This passion then leads to action, which results in procreation and eventually ends with childbirth. Thus, the born baby is a result that originated internally via emotion. Paul coincides with this concept for he explains to the Corinthians that “as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:3). Let us also recall that Satan, too, is a created being and was at one time holy. Scripture reveals that Satan was “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:12b, 14-15, emphasis added). The devil tragically fell prey to his delusion and thus became infected with sin. When God created the world, man had yet to come into contact with Satan, living free of sin. It was when Satan encountered Eve that this spiritual disease was spread from him to her. The devil infected the mind of Eve by seducing her to doubt God’s warning about death (Genesis 3:4-5). Hence the Master’s revelation that “you are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44, emphasis added). With these words, the Lord Jesus declared the terrifying reality that Satan has children in this world. These followers of iniquity continue to spread and infect the world with the spiritual disease that is sin. Therefore, because this is unequivocally true it is imperative to understand the necessity of containing this spiritual epidemic as quickly as possible. First, however, we must learn how to righteously identify those purposely spreading the infection. To be continued…
