By way of introduction: Adam and Eve had no need for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were created in perfect environment. Their knowledge was virtually unlimited because it came from God Himself. Adam & Eve are the only human beings who did not have human parents, a childhood, or relatives.
Adam and Eve fellowshipped with the Lord.
In Genesis 3:8, “Christ came in the cool of the evening.” From this verse we can deduce that the Lord (Jesus Christ) taught Adam and Eve face to face, perhaps every day. Wouldn’t that be awesome? So Adam and Eve had perfect environment and they fellowshipped with the Lord regularly.
So, join me won’t you as we go back in time to the Garden of Eden and look in on Adam and Eve.
Two Trees
Please open your Bible and read the entire 3rd chapter of Genesis in preparation for our study.
There were two trees in the Garden of Eden that would come to divide the course of human history: “The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and “The Tree of Life.” One of these two trees will be chosen by every person who ever lived who is capable of making a rational decision.
As you read Genesis chapter three, you will recall that Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and immediately “their eyes were opened and they knew that they were naked” this is the knowledge of good and evil. It was also the birth of the sin nature — our nature to sin because of Adam’s choice, which passed to all men for all have sinned (as proof); (Romans 5:14,17,21) … we have a choice (Genesis 3:7).
When Adam and Eve ate, they not only knew good and evil, they knew disobedience — right and wrong.
It is interesting that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is located in the “center” of the garden (Genesis 3:3) and when Adam ate of it he became “self-centered.” The temptation of the fruit caused him to look at himself (pride).
The first Act of Self-Righteousness
Adam’s first act after he disobeyed God and ate of the tree was self-righteousness (pride) “they covered themselves with fig leaves” (Genesis 3:7). But, Jesus rejected Adam’s covering. The Lord made a covering of sheep skin, a symbol of his future Sacrifice on the Cross — the innocent lamb would lay down his life for the sheep (John 10:7-14). Just as soon as they sinned, the Lord came to their rescue with the plan of salvation.
Since the fall of Adam, all men must make their own choice between the two trees: the tree of “Good and Evil” or the “Tree of Life” — the Cross. The Cross of Christ’s death became the life giving Cross for every man in history since Adam — all Adam’s descendants.
Please note: Both good (human good) and evil are human traits. Human good is rejected by God! Proof of this is the Cross. Every man since Adam is invited to freely eat of the Tree of the Cross (John 6:37, 38, 56, 57; Acts 5:30). The first tree was forbidden. The second tree (the cross) is an open invitation. Won’t you partake?
In Genesis 1:11, 12&29 and Luke 6:43&44, God said that trees would produce fruit after their own kind, forever establishing a pattern. Therefore, the Tree of Good and Evil would always produce good and evil. The tree of life (Genesis 2:9); will always produce eternal life. Jesus is Eternal Life (John 11:25). The Tree of Eternal Life — The Cross — will always produce believers (Luke 6:43, 44). Christ as the Eternal Tree of Life makes each believer a Tree of Righteousness (Isaiah 61:3).
On the other hand, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil appeals to human nature, the nature of Good and Evil. This is why many men do not come to the cross to be saved.
The common reasoning of man is: “I know what is good and what is evil, therefore I will do good and please God.” But, man cannot be good enough to please God because he is the enemy of God by his nature, by his very seed under Satan (Genesis 3:15). Every unbeliever is a child of Satan (the seed of Satan). In John 8:44 Jesus Christ made this statement to the unbelieving Scribes and Pharisees who questioned His authority. Our Lord did not pull any punches, Jesus told it like it is … he literally said if you have not received Him (Christ) you are still a child of Satan. Please read it for yourself.
The seed of Satan is unbelieving mankind because of Adam’s transgression. And now you should also understand more clearly why Christ Himself said “you (all men) must be born again” (John 3:3, 3:5, 3:7). Now you must more clearly realize why Christ came to die in our place, for without Christ we were hopeless sinners (Romans 5:8).
We are all born spiritually dead because Adam disobeyed God and ate the forbidden tree deliberately, and death passed to all men. You need to understand a very important point of doctrine: In Genesis 2:17, “dying” is plural, literally “two deaths” – spiritual and physical. It should have been translated dying (spiritually) thou shalt die (physically). To this day we are all born without a human spirit, this is the reason Christ said we must be born again, “spiritually” (John 3:3-7). To this day we all die physically.
Both death and the need to be “born again” are proof of the depravity of man and his need for a Savior, which is why, in due time, Christ came. Remember, Adam lived another 900 years or so after he disobeyed and ate. As the first man, (representative man), Adam’s sin passed to all men for “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).
Here is another point of doctrine: Religious people crucified Christ. The same self righteous hypocrites — consisting of religious Jews, Scribes, Sanhedrin (supreme council and tribunal of the Jews) Pharisees and the High Priests caused the crucifixion by conspiring against the God of the universe — their very own Messiah whom they rejected (Mark 14 53-56; John 8:44).
Man tries to keep the law for salvation, but, the law convicts! It does not save! It does not make us right with God – it is a curse (Galatians 3:10, 11). Christ became a curse for us and thereby redeemed us from the curse (Galatians 3:13). Jesus Christ fulfilled the law. He kept the law, then He went to the Cross to pay for our imperfection.
Good and evil are counterfeit to the Cross of Christ. It is Satan’s trap of deceit. He tricked Eve, then she convinced Adam and they ate and instantly both knew good and evil. The result of good and evil is the sin nature – our nature to sin.
Eve gave birth to two sons, Cain and Able, and we can discern the seeds of the two trees in each. After the Fall, the Lord prophesied the perpetuation of the two seeds within man, meaning there would always be two kinds of people on the earth: those who trust Christ “seed of the woman” and “the seed of Satan.” Cain was a tiller of the ground (Genesis 4:2), “earthy”, a symbol of rejection of salvation and devoid of God. In other words, Cain rejected the God of Heaven. He chose to be earthen. Abel on the other hand chose to be a shepherd, symbolic of his salvation.
Man is still worshiping the created. Man is by nature a creature of worship but, because of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, many men will choose creature worship rather than worship of the Creator. Religion is the worship of idols – man’s invention. Human good is the good side of evil – which is still evil. The “spiritualist” seeks their harmony and fulfillment in the worship of creation. The New Age Movement is a perfect example of man as his own God, man in his egoistical arrogance.
In closing: From the First Book of the Bible we have learned about the two trees. We learned that the two seeds of man are: the Seed of Satan and the Seed of Christ. Which seed are you? Throughout Scripture we can see the path of deceit and destruction. Throughout history we can see the seeds of aggression and evil. There is a trail of blood throughout history. Every generation since Adam has left its trail. This is why history repeats itself. Human nature is the same in every generation and every person must choose between the Two Trees.
The Tree of Life stood silently in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of the Cross, today, stands silently as a Memorial to our Savior, but shouts to a world living in darkness … won’t you come to the cross and be saved from God’s wrath? Come to Jesus!
Amen. Happy Studying!