What Does it Mean to Want to be Like God?

The first temptation that resulted in the first sin has had an effect on all mankind since Adam and Eve. The serpent told Eve that she would not die if she ate the fruit of the tree that God had forbidden, but that she would be "like God." (Genesis 3) I have had a hard time relating to that exactly. I think we are like God in that we are made in His image, and that's huge! So why was that a temptation to Eve, and how does my sin say that I want to be like God?

It was in fact a temptation to Eve and she succumbed to it. She looked at that tree and saw that it was good for food, and a delight to the eyes, took the fruit and ate it! (Genesis 3:6) But wait, God had filled the earth, and specifically the Garden of Eden with oh so many trees and plants that were pleasant to the sight and good for food. "You shall have them for food" He said. All except one.  (Genesis 1:29-30, 2:9,16-17)

So why was that a temptation to Eve? What she wanted God had already provided. The temptation was to step outside of what He provided and get it for herself. She wanted to be her own source. Like God. I can't even explain to you what I thought it meant to want to be "like God," but I have no problem explaining how much of my life has been spent trying to be my own source. Oh I trust Him with my eternal salvation. But almost everything else - I'm on it! That's me - trying to be like God.

You know who never tried to be His own source? Jesus. Look back at how many times He said that He does what the Father does, He says the words the Father gives Him, He does what pleases the Father, He finished the work the Father gave Him to do. Even when Satan tempted Jesus (Matthew 4) He did not become His own source. He was fully God when He walked on this earth but He willingly let go of the privilege of that and submitted to His Father. How much more for us!

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Philippians 2:5-11