Sin Enters the Garden

Background Scripture: Genesis 3
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 3:3-13

Introduction

Genesis 3 could well be counted as one of the more important chapters in the Bible. In this chapter, sin enters the human race, bringing the consequences of natural and spiritual death. Adam and Eve chose to do what they knew was wrong—they chose themselves over God, causing irreparable damage to all of humanity. We call this the original sin; it was the first sin, but it is also the defective gene of evil passed on to us—the seed of sin within. Without this account, we could not begin to understand the darkness that blankets the earth. With it, we can catch a glimpse of the light which shines in the darkness. In this tragic story, we see the depravity of human nature, the desire for that which is forbidden, lust for knowledge, and the inclination to justify ourselves by blaming someone else for our own disobedience. Thus, we too are estranged from God and find ourselves fearing the very One who loves us with his whole being. Salvation is the story of God’s search for man. It starts with the fall of Adam and Eve and climaxes with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Key Verse

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In this story of the fall of mankind, everyone who is seeking salvation is able to see themselves through the events of this chapter. The pattern of how sin entered the world happens in our own lives. First the devil tempted Adam and Eve by twisting the truth of God’s commandment and questioning its validity. Then he induced them to doubt God’s intentions. He convinced Eve to entertain sin, to rationalize it, and to find a way in her own mind to make it acceptable. As we seek truth, this story becomes less about two people eating fruit in a garden and much more about sin and me. What is sin? Sin is pride, and when I doubt God’s goodness, ignore his commands, and convince myself to do something God said is wrong, pride is at work. Sin always results in shame and damages and destroys our relationship with God, but He responds to sin by inviting us to repent and believe that his salvation will crush the head of the serpent.

Practical Truths for Today

“Because of original sin, human nature has become inwardly corrupt. Because of this depravity, man’s heart, or nature, has become evil, even as the prophet said, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?’ (Jer. 17:9). Jesus bore witness to this when He said, ‘Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies’ (Matt. 15:19) . . .

“From the beginning God had a plan of redemption for man. The apostle Paul said, ‘He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4) . . .

“It is given to every man and woman to choose his own path. God does not force salvation upon anyone. Moses exhorted the children of Israel, ‘Therefore choose life’ (Deut. 30:19), and Joshua also said, ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve’ (Josh. 24:15).” 1

“The Scriptures state: ‘The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth’ (Gen. 8:21). What else than original sin moves people to evil from youth on? David also agrees with this; for when he had fallen into the awful sin of adultery, he was reminded of his original sin, and he expressed it in the following manner: ‘Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me’ (Ps. 51:5). That this can be said of all men is verified by experience; for of those who have been born of human seed and according to the flesh, none is found who has not received a sinful and depraved body. This original sin covers all humanity. No person in this life is wholly delivered from the seed of original sin. There are possibly those who glory so much in their redemption, new birth, and sanctification and become so elated in mind that they consider themselves entirely sanctified and perfect, cleansed from sin just as Adam was before the fall. To those who profess this I say, out of love for their souls, that they do not recognize their depravity. . . . Children of justified and sanctified parents have original sin, which proves that the holiest of people are not entirely freed from original sin. Those who deny this reveal their blindness and ignorance of the knowledge of God and their own depraved nature. . . . How [can] children have original sin if they have not inherited it from their parents? How can a child inherit the inclination to sin where there is nothing to inherit? Is it not a great lack of understanding for people to consider themselves entirely free from original sin?” 2 The Bible says that death reigned from Adam to Moses, meaning from Adam’s sin throughout the Old Testament era.

Sin is our problem; in contrast to the claims of modern social engineering, we should not blame sin on our childhood or environment. Adam and Eve experienced no childhood trauma; their “Father” (God) was gracious and provided all that they needed to live fulfilling and joyous lives. Yet they rebelled against God. Like Adam and Eve, we would choose to sin, even in a perfect environment.

Suffering is because of sin; ultimately it led to the ravages we see around us daily—particularly physical pain due to disease (natural evil) and emotional pain due to sinful choices (moral evil). Philosophers make much of “innocent” suffering, but biblically, there are no true cases of innocent suffering, save one, which was the very purpose of Christ’s incarnation and crucifixion. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21). The death of Christ is the only case of a genuinely innocent person suffering, and He did so to reconcile us to God.

Our solution is Christ and God’s promise to provide a way for us to escape the tragic consequence of sin. While the choice to “take and eat” ultimately plunged mankind into the darkness of death, the Son of God freely provided redemption for us by offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross, if we will but take and eat of the Bread of Life (John 6:47-51; Matthew 26:26-29). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).

Questions

1. Is doubting God’s goodness the foundation of unbelief? How did Adam and Eve doubt God’s goodness in the lesson scripture?
2. If a person is determined to make it on his own, will he be interested in finding God? Why or why not? What has to happen in a person’s life to cause them to quit depending on themselves and begin looking for God?
3. How will we know we are sincerely committed to finding God?
4. 1 Bible Doctrine and Practice, pp. 79-83
5. 2 Mirror of Truth, pp. 201-202
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).