Genesis 3:22-23 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.”
Man as a god [unto himself] thinks he knows something and thinks he knows a way. But man as a god unto himself cannot live in the Garden of the LORD God.
Genesis 3:24 “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
The LORD says that man cannot obtain the tree of life on his own terms using his own strength reaching forth with his own hand. This is because man thinks he knows the way to obtain the tree of life, but he really does not and cannot know. He cannot know “the way” because it turns every which way and only the flaming sword of the LORD God can lead man along the way. The tree of life if not necessarily a destination but a way of life.
Romans 1:21-22 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
When man comes to “know” with his own mind, he thinks he knows God, but really man is professing himself to be wise as his “own God” and forgets where he came from; and that is when man becomes a fool. When man does this he also forgets to be thankful in the moment for what he already is and for what is already right in front of him, so he goes searching on his own. But man can only follow the way of the tree of life by following the LORD, which means he has to lose his “own way” in the process.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
So remember;
“For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)
And;
“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. And, Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 18:30 & 37:5)
The way of the LORD is perfectly spectacular, so trust in that.
Romans 8:24-25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].”
Man cannot see or know what he should hope for. That is what it says. Man’s thoughts and ways are different than the LORD’s. So put down your way and have some patience for the LORD to guide you to what is rightfully yours.