God told Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was located in the middle of the Garden of Eden. This command came directly from God and was one of only two prohibitions He gave to Adam and Eve. The story is recorded in Genesis 2:15-17:
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’”
So God allowed Adam and Eve to freely eat from any tree in the entire garden except one. By abstaining from that one tree, Adam and Eve were to demonstrate their trust in and obedience to God. The tree of knowledge was to serve as a test of obedience.
Why the Tree of Knowledge was Forbidden
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represented moral wisdom and the ability to discern between right and wrong independent from God. Eating from it would give Adam and Eve an experiential, intellectual knowledge of good and evil. This was forbidden because God did not want Adam and Eve to seek moral autonomy apart from Himself. He wanted them to look to Him as the source of moral knowledge and truth. By depending on God for moral guidance, they would walk in righteousness and enjoy an intimate relationship with Him.
However, if they ate from the forbidden tree, the consequences would be catastrophic. As God warned, “In the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Both physical and spiritual death would enter the human race if Adam and Eve directly disobeyed the word of the Lord.
The Serpent’s Deception
Sadly, Eve was deceived by the serpent into eating the forbidden fruit. The serpent was crafty and cunning, the most deceptive animal that God had made. He approached Eve and asked, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). Eve replied that they may eat from all the trees except the tree of knowledge, otherwise they will die.
The serpent then contradicted God’s word and promise, saying, “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4). He deceptively implied that God was withholding something good from Eve, saying, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The tree appeared desirable for obtaining hidden wisdom, so Eve ate the forbidden fruit and gave some to Adam as well.
Why Eating the Forbidden Fruit Was Sinful
Eve’s decision to eat the fruit was sinful for several reasons:
- She allowed the serpent to contradict God’s clear word
- She believed the serpent’s lie over God’s truth
- She doubted God’s goodness and care by thinking He withheld good
- She coveted wisdom and moral autonomy apart from God
This was the first sin, and it opened the floodgates for sin’s curse to enter the world. Adam also bore responsibility because he failed to lead Eve rightly and joined her in disobeying God’s command.
The Consequences of Disobedience
The moment Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked and hid themselves from God (Genesis 3:7). This was the beginning of many disastrous consequences for the human race:
- Broken fellowship with God
- Shame and guilt
- Blaming of others for sin
- Pain in childbirth
- Marital strife
- Difficulty farming the land
- Physical death
But the saddest result was Adam and Eve’s banishment from Eden and God’s presence. Sin separates people from a holy God. Adam and Eve’s disobedience permanently changed the human condition and passed sin’s curse down to all generations after them. The forbidden fruit brought sin, suffering, sorrow, sickness and death into the world.
Table of Consequences from Eating the Forbidden Fruit
| Consequence | Description |
|---|---|
| Broken fellowship with God | Sin created a separation between man and God who is holy and cannot be united with sin |
| Shame and guilt | Adam and Eve felt convicted over their sin after their eyes were opened to good and evil |
| Blaming others | Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent rather than take responsibility for their own actions |
| Pain in childbirth | Eve was cursed with increased pain in bearing children as a constant reminder of her sin |
| Marital strife | Adam and Eve’s relationship was damaged by blame and lack of trust |
| Difficulty farming | The ground was cursed to produce thorns and require hard labor |
| Physical death | Adam and Eve experienced the fulfillment of God’s promise that they would die the day they ate the forbidden fruit |
God’s Response and Promise
Although God punished Adam and Eve for their disobedience, He also gave them hope. Right after they sinned, He promised a Savior who would defeat sin and restore humanity’s relationship with God (Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament, this Messianic promise was developed and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He came to undo the curse of the forbidden fruit through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death for sin, and victorious resurrection from the dead.
Jesus is the only solution for sin’s consequences. All who repent and believe in Him are forgiven and made righteous before God, bringing fellowship with Him. They also receive eternal life instead of death. So while Adam and Eve’s sin profoundly impacted humanity, God set into motion His grand plan of redemption.
Comparing the Consequences and Solutions
| Consequence | Solution in Jesus |
|---|---|
| Broken fellowship with God | Reconciliation and restored relationship with God |
| Shame and guilt | Forgiveness and cleansing from sin’s stain |
| Blaming others | Taking responsibility for our own sin |
| Pain in childbirth | Hope and joy in raising children who can know God |
| Marital strife | Principles for healthy marriages and relationships |
| Difficulty farming | God’s provision and care with life’s difficulties |
| Physical death | Eternal life and restored bodies forever in Heaven |
Conclusion
God’s command to Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil represented a test of obedience that would impact all future generations. Sadly, Eve was deceived by the serpent into eating the forbidden fruit. She and Adam disobeyed God’s clear word, leading to shame, blame, difficulty in relationships and life, and ultimately death. This tragic sin separated humanity from God. Yet God promised the offspring of Eve who would crush the serpent and undo sin’s curse through His sacrifice. This Savior was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who restores eternal life and fellowship with God to all who place their faith in Him.