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Was Adam and Eve's sin really about eating a piece of forbidden fruit?
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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Vincent Mercado
Supporter
It is very tempting to say that Adam and Eve's sin was disobedience to God's command - I believe it is deeper than that. The serpent tempts them, "you will be like God". I submit to you that their sin is this - Adam and Eve desired to be like God. And we find this attitude of man today, in our time and age. Men rejecting God as the standard of morality, setting themselves up as gods - their own standard of morality.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The phrase "forbidden fruit" refers to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were forbidden by God to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9; 3:2)....
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Chris Button
Supporter
Jesus said in Matthew 5 that not only is murder wrong but anger in your heart is sin also. Not only is adultery wrong but lust in your heart is sin also. Sin begins as a heart issue. Before Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they had already believed in their hearts that Satan's option was better than God's. They doubted God. When Satan tempted her with "Did God really say... ", Eve would have done well if she had said "Get behind me Satan!"
Ezekiel Kimosop - Pastor & Bible Scholar
Supporter
In order to appreciate the meaning of the fruit we need to understand the meaning ofthe tree of life. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) the tree of life is mentioned in four areas in the Bible. The expression "tree of life" occurs in four groups or connections: (1) in the story of the Garden of Eden, (2) in the Proverbs of the Wise Men, (3) in the apocryphal writings, and (4) in the Apocalypse of John. Gen 2:9; 3:22 both mention the tree of life. There have been many interpretations as to the meaning and idea behind this tree. Some have argued that it is just a symbol that was to remind Adam and Eve of their obligation to obedience to God as the source of their true instruction for life. Others have considered it as just a myth and the story is not real but more like a parable. The latter interpretation is farfetched because New Testament teaching gives an explicit recognition of the creation story and hence we should accept the historical truth of the characters of the creation story and the first family. Matthew Henry Commentary on Gen 2:9 holds that the tree and the four rivers were an illustration of an earthy paradise but which could not compare with the heavenly one whose waters God himself sustained. The ISBE argues that following the sinful attempt to gain immortality through sin and disobedience, God had to drive the sinners (Adam and Eve) out of his presence and the opportunity for immortality was lost until the coming of Christ. It adds that it was through other means and not that conceived by sinful man but by a holy God that redemption would come. The futility of Adam and Eve in seeking to exceed the laws of God led to their expulsion from the garden and the loss of immortality. Some Bible scholars prefer to view the story of the tree of life as a pictorial representation of spiritual truth in the same way that John employs the pictorial scenes of heaven in conveying truths. We can therefore infer that the theological meaning of the tree of life is a “picture of the glorious possibilities which lay before man, and which might have been realized by him had not his sin and sinful condition prevented it (ISBE). God's intervention was a great mercy to the human race.” It would be reckless to consider the story as a myth because the New Testament cites this story in a factual sense. The reality of Adam as the fallen person paved way for Christ, the new Adam to bring eternity to humanity. There cannot be a second Adam (Christ) without the first true human Adam. This tree must have been a reality that was available to a real creature of God and not just an abstract imagination or a parable. We cannot explain more than scripture reveals or make wild speculations that cannot be proved in the Bible but we can interpret spiritual truths from its teaching. We must also accept the Word of God by faith as his unchangeable revealed truth and with this reality then handle it with the reverence that it deserves. Those who argue that the tree represented sexual intimacy are making misleading assertions not supported by Scripture because earlier God had commanded the two to multiply and fill the earth (Gen 1:28). How was this to be possible if not through sexual means?
Linda Lauritzen
Supporter
I have actually been thinking about this for quite a while, and I have come to think that Adam and Eve's eating the fruit, after being told not to was actually the result of the sin of not trusting God. Sin always begins in the mind. In reality, they began to believe that God was withholding something from them worth having; they began to doubt His love and care for them. This may seem simplistic, but if they had trusted his love and care for them, they never would have been receptive to the serpent's leading.
Tito Dulay Lim
Supporter
If we trace how sin entered paradise, it was through satan. It was via his wily trick that Eve and Adam committed sin. The very element of human nature that has been tested by God through the interference of satan is "faith." Adam and Eve had no intentions of getting away from the commandments given to them by their Creator. Their faith just wasn't strong enough to stand on the word of God. They were tempted by satan to obey him rather than the Almighty God because it is satan that has the intention to dominate even God, his Creator. Even so, Adam and Eve received the curse as a result of their sin. They failed to fight against the influence of the source of sin, none other than satan. From there, God has tried to make use of a few selected seeds of Adam and Eve, like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, to turn people back to God. But as history tells us until now, people continue to be stubborn and still have weak trust and faith toward their Creator. Finally, God, out of His unparalleled love to mankind, sent His only begotten Son to incarnate in the form of Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him will be saved from the pangs of death and darkness and will have an endless life instead. Here, again, faith is the main thing. Out of this, obedience and other virtues follow. So, it is the weakness of our faith towards our ALMIGHTY CREATOR that made us wander over this world we are living in now. We, therefore, need to strengthen our faith to the only GOD through JESUS THE CHRIST for us to receive the promise at stake.
Dorcas Sitali
Supporter
Adam and eve's sin was disobedience, God told them not to eat that fruit but they allowed or opened a door to the devil's lies and ate. They gave an ear to devil. Romans 5:19 for if by one man's disobedience many were made sinners also by one man's obedience many are made righteous i.e Jesus obeyed the Father, He did that which the first Adam couldn't do.
ebere ezeanya
Supporter
God, from inception has given us free will And. As his children he expect us to trust and obey him. Adam and eve simply disobeyed God, because God said, "'Do not eat". It doesn't matter what Satan said, or how subtle he was. It was Adam and Eve's choice and they made the wrong one.
Jae Park
Supporter
In order to understand Adam’s sin, we need to understand God’s command more deeply. The following is my limited opinion about God’s command to Adam. Part I. What does God’s command means to Adam? a) God’s command is the reminder to Adam: Adam was a created being, not God: a king under God; not equal to Him. b) God’s command says only God can give us the ultimate freedom God allowed Adam to choose to obey Him c) God’s command says Adam’s autonomy is within God’s command. Only God can limit our freedom since He is sovereign. d) God’s command demands obedience The relationship with God is possible only through obedience. God wanted Adam to obey Him [regarding what is good and evil] e) God’s command says the complete knowledge comes from God Good and evil [a compound of two opposites] means entirety, completeness. ‘Knowledge of good and evil’ is complete, absolute knowledge. God is the source of complete knowledge. f) God’s command says God alone decides what is good and evil Adam should not decide what is good or evil by himself There is no the absolute standard of good and evil without God. God is the standard [rule] of good and evil in Adam’s life. God wanted to Adam to decide 'good or evil' based on His word. g) God’s command says God is the Lord of life and death. Disobedience pays the penalty since God is the Supreme Being. Consequence of disobedience is death [separation from God] h) God’s command implies the [future] presence of the evil First 7days, everything was good [Gen 1:31] Satan showed up later on Gen 3:1 [Rev 20:2] Satan’s fall probably happened between Gen 2 and Gen 3. Part II. What does Adam’s disobedience means to God? a) Adam forgot that he was a mere created being. He forgot the fact that everything he had was from God. b) Adam broke the relationship with God by disobedience He exercised his autonomy beyond God’s command c) Adam decided what is good and evil by himself [without God] He denied that God is the absolute standard of good and evil. He denied that God is the source of complete knowledge d) Adam became a god [in his mind] He became the standard of good and evil; source of complete knowledge. He acted as if he was the owner of his life. In Summary, Through the command, God gave Adam a reminder that he was a created being, not God. God gave Adam the freedom to choose and God wanted Adam to acknowledge the fact that God decides what is good and evil [the absolute standard of good and evil; the source of complete knowledge] God made it clear that He is the Lord of life and death. But, through disobeying God’s command, Adam broke the relationship with Him. He decided what is good and evil by himself without God. He became a god in his mind just like Satan did. As Adam’s descendants, we all became the standard of good and evil. [Judge 21:25] We all act as if we are gods and lords of our lives just like Satan did. Therefore, it is so important for us [believers] to follow God [obey Him] and to live by the Spirit according to the Scripture [be led by the Spirit] [Gal 5:16,18,25]
Eric Hunter
Supporter
I believe that the sin was to modify the structure of authority established under God. Adam was created first and would have authority over all created after him just as an older sibling over a younger one. Note that God did not tell woman not to eat or even touch the fruit but told Adam. It was later that woman was created from Adam's rib. This had been relaid presumably by Adam and even at some point confused as the order itself was modified to forbid even touching it. As woman is tempted by the serpent, Adam is failing in his responsibility to protect her from temptation, failing to seek guidance and protection from God, and failing to exert his authority over woman as he acquiences to her desire to sample power. He stands by meekly as she samples and then joins her in clear disobedience to a direct order from God. God has established a structure and man has failed to abide by it. Immediately after original sin occurs, God `curses man and woman both. Again note that He besides, "...in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;..." but adds "and thy desire to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." God has cursed woman to crave the power of Adam and destined man to rule (absent love) her. God has reestablished order in the structure He created. The solution is clarified later by Paul asserts the Holy Spirit can guide a proper marriage founded upon Christ.
Julian Naicken
Supporter
Genesis 3:17-19 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Verse 17 tells us that Adam's sin was not only disobedience but that he chose to listen to his wife. Instead of listening to the Creator, he chose to listen to the created.
Doron Bond
Supporter
Yes it was all about disobedience: eating of the knowledge of both good AND evil, the "forbidden fruit"
Christy petty
Supporter
Adam and Eve knew only good God provided only good. By taking and eating at the tempting of Satan they chose against God. They chose their own way They left God they put the separation. God came to converse with them after they disobeyed, it is man who turned and hid from God.
Kevin Connelly
Supporter
This question is important because it leads to the understanding of the core of the gospel. Paul addresses this question in Romans 5:19, "For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." What is meant by obedience in this context? Is it simply doing what we are told or is there more? The Greek word for obedience in this scripture, hypakoḗ (Strong's word 5218), comes from the combination of Greek words meaning "to hear" and "submission to what is heard." So what Romans 5:19 tells us is that Adam did not submit to what God commanded, bringing sin into the world, but Jesus fully submitted to His Father (Philippians 2:5-8) making righteousness with God available to us. This shows the beauty, simplicity and brilliance of God's plan for us. One man does not submit to God and sin enters the world with death entering through sin affecting all (Romans 5:12). Another man, God incarnate, enters the world as a man fully submitting to God without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and becomes the ultimate sacrifice, so that through His death and resurrection sin and death are conquered. Now, all can be freed from sin and death through submitting to Christ (i.e. surrendering, declaring Him as your Lord) (Romans 10:9).
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
Yes, there was a literal tree of knowledge of good and evil, and also one of life. We need to understand that the temptation was at the time of man's first appearance, or infancy, when conscience wasn't as strong as today, because the full extent of the law hadn't been revealed. Even today, those with small children or infants must guard against one serious danger - that the infant will put something toxic in its mouth and swallow it, and perhaps die. As adults, humans have always been exposed to the analogically same temptation to eat the forbidden fruit, in the form of hallucinogenic drugs, or the numerous street drugs in obtain a 'high.' There are even pagan religions which depend upon the ingestion of these kinds of substances to solve personal problems. In Rev. 18:23, in describing the sin of the harlot of Babylon, the word 'sorceries' in the Greek is 'pharmakeia' denoting the use of drugs as a part of rituals. I have no doubt that the original forbidden fruit contained a potent hallucinogenic drug which 'opened' Adam and Eve's eyes and destroyed their connection with God.
Brian Fisher
Supporter
It was not about disobeying God. It was not about listening to Satan. The sin was in not confessing their error. They both tried to shift the blame... Eve to Satan and Adam to Eve. Neither admitted their own guilt. God is quick to forgive, and there is no sin He will not forgive if we confess it. Adam and Eve did not confess. That was the error they made.
Terrie Ensley
Supporter
Author/counselor/pastor Stuart Scott makes a very good case for PRIDE being at the root of all sin in his mini book, "From Pride to Humility" (available on Amazon.com and other book stores.) I think that's true for Adam and Eve. They had begun to believe that they deserved to be equal with God in knowledge and power. Satan offered this opportunity to a prideful Eve and the rest is history.
leslie coutinho
Supporter
God had created everything to its perfection by giving herb bearing seed, every tree yielding fruit with a seed upon the face of the earth Genesis 1:29. God had a plan and a purpose and in His plan planted a garden where Adam was put in. Being kept in a garden was God’s protection on his life. Being under Gods protection in the garden came the do’s and don’ts’. The sin that was committed was by disobeying God’s commandment by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The Serpent that is Satan who deceived Eve said you shall not surely die but you shall be like gods. This deceiving thought that was put in the mind of eve was a delusion, which made her believe and the seed of sin entered mankind. (Romans 5:12-19) The scriptures says that the Sons of God came down and took them wives of all which they chose and giants were born. (Genesis 6:2) The sons of God are angel beings which is also a spirit being and Satan and his demons are also spirit being which entered mankind through their disobedience to God. As the Psalmist has written Psalm 51:5 behold I was shapen in inquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. Adam and Eve’s sin was believing to the voice of the devil then to the voice of God and disobeying God by doing what they were told not to do in the Garden of Eden.
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