How Adam Screwed Up Way Before Anyone Ate the Forbidden Fruit! The Ripple Effect of Silence

In the very beginning, the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; there He placed the man whom He had formed (Genesis 2:8). This paradise was overflowing with delicious fruits and amazing plants, all for Adam and Eve to enjoy! The Lord God said, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17).

(This is a spiritual death- a separation from God)

God freely let them eat from any tree in the garden, but there was one special tree right in the center. It was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God lovingly warned Adam and Eve not to eat from this particular tree. He explained that if they did, they would surely die. This wasn't because God wanted to be mean, but because He knew it would be best for them.

This one forbidden tree stood at the very center of the garden – a symbol of trust. God, in His infinite wisdom, presented them with a choice: obedience, a testament to their faith, or the allure of the unknown. This wasn't a test to control them, but a demonstration of the magnificent power He had entrusted to them – the power of free will.

God doesn't coerce; He empowers. He didn't force Adam and Eve to obey but allowed them the freedom to choose their path. This very freedom is a cornerstone of His love – a love that respects our choices, even when they lead us astray.

But one day, while Eve was admiring the beauty of the garden, a serpent, known for its cunningness (Genesis 3:1), walked up to her. The serpent spoke in a sly voice, "Did God really say you can't eat from any of the trees in the garden?" (Genesis 3:1).

The serpent's deceitful tactic was to sow doubt in Eve's mind regarding God's words. Although fully aware of God's instructions, the serpent aimed to deceive Eve by casting doubt on what she had been told. This manipulation stands as the serpent's ultimate trick even today.

Eve, surprised at what the serpent said, explained, "We can eat from any tree in the garden except the one in the center. God said if we eat from that one, we will surely die" (based on Genesis 3:2-3).

The serpent, with a tempting tone, replied, "No! You will not surely die. In fact, God knows that when you eat from that tree, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (based on Genesis 3:4-5). This got Eve thinking. Could the serpent be right? Could the fruit hold such power? The idea of being like God, knowing everything, was very tempting.

The serpent enticed Eve with the allure of curiosity and the desire for more—more knowledge, more wisdom; to be like God. Have you ever felt that craving for more, simply for the sake of having more? Or to out-do a friend or even to out-shine an enemy or win-over someone whom you admire?

This is precisely why God advises us to find contentment in our present circumstances and with what we possess until our next season arrives.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5

Many people focus on the part of the story where Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, disobeying God's clear instruction. This is certainly an important part. However, the story of Adam and Eve is richer than just disobedience. It's also a story about:

Freedom of Choice: Adam and Eve had the liberty to obey or disregard Gods counsel. This story shows God's desire to shepherd us along the path of righteousness, emphasizing the crucial significance of attuning our ears to His voice, all while honoring our ability to exercise free will and make our own choices.

The consequences of our choices: When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they experienced a separation from God, spiritual death, and a change in the world around them (Genesis 3:16-19).

While the story mentions Eve being approached by the serpent (Genesis 3:1), both Adam and Eve are held accountable for eating the forbidden fruit. But interestingly, God directly addresses Adam, not Eve: In Genesis 3:17, God speaks to Adam, saying, "Because YOU listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it', highlighting Adam's greater accountability in the situation.

Perhaps this is because earlier in Genesis (2:15), it mentions God placing Adam in the garden to "tend and keep it," suggesting a leadership role alongside Eve. Adam's potential leadership role adds another layer to the story, highlighting the shared responsibility between him and Eve.

The Bible makes it clear that God should be our ultimate priority. Deuteronomy 6:5 states: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This means putting our love and commitment to God above all else.

Ephesians 5:23 describes husbands as the head of the household, but also clarifies that this headship is to be exercised in loving service, just like Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). This leadership is about responsibility and care, not dominance.

Nevertheless, it's crucial to highlight Adam's silence in addressing Eve when the serpent suggested actions contrary to God's commands. It's likely they were together when the serpent spoke to Eve. Adam's failure to intervene and correct the deception was a great mistake.

Adam's significant flaw in this situation was his silence. Instead of speaking up and preventing Eve from eating the fruit, he remained silent. By not intervening, he effectively aligned himself with her and ultimately chose to eat the fruit as well. Adam's failure to take a stand and his decision to follow Eve's lead led to the disobedience that brought about consequences for both of them.

This story holds a crucial lesson for us all. Have you ever witnessed a friend or family member about to do something you know is wrong, and you chose to look the other way? Doesn't God demonstrate here that we are responsible and held accountable for our silence? If Adam had spoken up, could he have prevented Eve from disobeying God? Perhaps.

With every act of disobedience, there comes discipline. Not even the serpent got away without a curse. This concept is evident in Genesis 3:14, where God addresses the serpent after its deceitful actions. As part of the curse, God decreed that the serpent would now crawl on its belly and eat dust for the rest of its days. This punishment implies a significant change in the serpent's form, suggesting that there may have been a time when it walked on legs like a man or perhaps looked more like the dragon.

Genesis 3:14, God addresses the serpent: "So the Lord God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.'"

Before Adam, Eve, and even the serpent disobeyed God, they enjoyed a much better, easier life. Now, Adam must toil the land through sweat and hard work, a task that will never be finished. Eve is destined to endure great pain during childbirth. And the serpent, as a consequence, now slithers on its belly.

Genesis 3:16-18: "To the woman he said, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.

Now being naked, after clothing Adam and Eve, the Lord God expressed concern that they had become like divine beings, knowing good and evil. God banished them from the Garden of Eden and placed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard its entrance.

The story of Adam and Eve isn't just about a forbidden fruit; it's a powerful lesson on the importance of using our voices. Disobedience to God doesn't just impact us, it creates ripples that spread outward, affecting everyone around us, like a pebble tossed into a still pond.

Think of it like this: God's instructions were a gift, a roadmap to a blessed life. By following them, Adam and Eve safeguarded not only their own happiness but also the potential for a world built on obedience and love.

But silence in the face of temptation can be as dangerous as the temptation itself. When Eve was presented with the forbidden fruit, Adam remained silent. Perhaps he didn't want to cause conflict, or maybe he was unsure. Whatever the reason, his silence had devastating consequences that you and I are still feeling today.

We can learn a powerful lesson from this. When we see someone we care about teetering on the edge of a wrong decision, we can't stay silent. Speak up with conviction, but also with compassion. Offer guidance, remind them of God's promises, and help them choose the right path.

Remember, even a small voice can create a powerful wave. Don't be afraid to use yours. Uphold God's laws, not just for your own sake, but to uplift and protect those around you.

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2024. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.