Knowing Evil
Because Adam and Eve had not yet eaten of the Tree of Knowledge, they had no discernment or basis for knowing that the serpant was lying (i.e. was being evil). They were, in the best sense of the word, naive; they were pure. So, how could they possibly have known that they were being deceived? They should be given a pass, right? Wrong. They didn't HAVE to know the difference between good and evil; they didn't need to be able to have that kind of discernment IF THEY HAD SIMPLY BEEN OBEDIENT.
There are many times that I am deceived into evil. There are times when I cannot tell the difference in the subtleties between good and bad. Does that give me a pass? No. In the same way Adam and Eve should have simply been obedient, if I am in tune with what God says, I don't have to rely on my own, flawed ability to discern. Obedience protects me from myself as well as the evil that lurks in the shadows that tries to get me to fall. I think that's why in the Great Commission, Jesus tells His disciples to "teach them to observe all that I have commanded." It is a command of protection as well as faithfulness. I must simply learn to obey.
Created over 2 years ago
