Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WHAT DID ADAM DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?

Perhaps the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is one of the best known stories from the Bible. However, it needs to be revisited often. What did Adam do that was so wrong?

The first couple was given the grand privilege of living in paradise. Theirs was simply to dress the garden and keep it, and to abstain from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Sounds simple enough. However, being innocent in the strictest sense, they knew nothing about evil, therefore, knew nothing about good either. Remember the forbidden tree was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. How long they remained in their blissful state of innocence is anybody's guess, but apparently it was not a very long time. Then the tempter came.

The tempter always wisely picks the weakest point to work on. First, he implanted doubt as to the consequence of partaking of the forbidden tree. Then he used the threefold temptation of I John 2:16. Eve saw that the tree was pleasant to behold, that it was good for food, and that it was desirable to make one wise (the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life). So, she ate and gave unto her husband and he, too, did eat. So, what did Adam do that was so wrong? Wasn't the fruit pretty? Yes, it was. Wasn't the fruit good to eat? Yes, it was. Isn't the acquisition for knowledge the perpetual quest of mankind? Yes, it is. Doesn't a man want to please his most beautiful wife? Yes, he does! So what did Adam do that was so wrong? To put it in simple terms, he disobeyed God! Eve was honestly deceived by the deceiver in the transgression, but Adam did what he did with full knowledge that he was disobeying God. Suddenly, their understanding was opened to know both good and evil, but horribly, they did not have the power to choose the good and forsake the evil. Thus sin in all of its horrible, deadly effects became a part of their lives sealing itself into the very nature of mankind so that there never has been or ever will be an offspring of man who is not a sinner. Then as a sinner, his destiny is sealed in the doom of him who is the father of it, even Satan and his final abode in the lake of fire. This would have been the fate of Adam, and all mankind if it were not for the grace of God and substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus. But that is another story--a wonderful story.

In retrospect, it appears so easy to make drastically wrong decisions with far reaching consequences. Moreover, it is still that way today. Often, decisions are made in haste without forethought of what will come of them. Many have wept bitterly with many tears, but with no chance to change what has happened. Think about Esau! Hebrews 12:16-17.

Is there anyone who would say that Adam did not do anything wrong? It was so wrong! If God says it, we do extra well to hear and obey whether we understand or not. God is totally righteous. He is the Creator; we are the created. He has not and cannot command of anyone or anything to do or to be wrong.

FOR THOUGHT: Did Eve’s deception in the temptation excuse her from its consequences? Do you think deception or even lack of knowledge will be an acceptable excuse for your sins? Does the sinful rationale of people still cause them to fall in the temptations of the world as spoken by I John 2:16? Is there a way for a sinner to be made righteous? It is easy to blame Adam and Eve, but who is it that does not sin in a similar manner?