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Our Choice

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8–9)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

In Genesis 2:16–17, God said, “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.” Adam and Eve faced a choice: to obey God, trusting he knows best and has a perfect plan for them, or to do what they want.

The serpent (Satan) knew what to say to get Eve to doubt God. 

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “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 3:4–5) 

She began to wonder if God was holding out on them. Was God as good as they thought? Maybe life would be better if they took things into their own hands. These doubts led to disobedience. 

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Genesis 3:6).

When they ate the fruit, Adam and Eve were immediately filled with fear. They realized that by their disobedience they had broken their perfect relationship with God. In place of freedom and openness, they felt shame and guilt. Instead of running to God, who loved them, they tried to run away and hide. Worse yet, when God confronts Adam about eating the fruit, Adam avoided responsibility, blaming God and Eve. “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12). Eve, in turn, blamed the serpent.

When we turn away from God as Lord, we sin. God is holy, and he can’t tolerate sin. It has to be addressed. Eating fruit doesn’t seem like a big deal—don’t we need to eat? It’s only fruit. Should it really change the course of human history? But their actions revealed that they loved their own lives more than obeying God. Adam and Eve thought they knew better than God. They chose death.

Death, hard work, jealousy, pain, loneliness, and separation from God resulted from their choice. Because of sin, we live in a broken world, but it’s not supposed to be this way. Everything God made was good. And God has a plan to restore his creation. Before he told Adam and Eve the consequences of their sin, he cursed the serpent and promised future life to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve wouldn’t see the whole plan unfold in their lifetime, but God already had his plan in motion to save his people.

Reflect on these questions after reading Genesis 3.

• Have you ever decided that you knew better than God? What were the results?
• Why did Eve decide to eat the fruit? (See Genesis 3:6.) Do you think looks can be deceiving? Why or why not?
• Who initiated the relational connection after the sin: Adam and Eve, or God? (See Genesis 3:8–9.) Why do you think that is significant?
• How does Genesis 3:21 show God’s love for us?

Pray

Today’s prayer comes from 1 John 1:8–10.

Heavenly Father, if I claim to be without sin, I deceive myself and the truth is not in me. My thoughts, words, and actions reflect that I often think I know better than you. But if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. Please forgive me. I can’t fix myself. Thank you for seeking me out and not leaving me in my mess. Help me to trust your plans. In Jesus’ name, amen.