MAN IS FREE TO CHOOSE

God warned Adam and Eve about the tree of knowledge. He told them all about Satan's rebellion and the danger of listening to Satan's suggestions. But God did not make it impossible for them to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve were given the power to choose. They must choose to believe God, obey Him, and live, or listen to Satan, disobey God, and die. Adam and Eve both chose to eat the forbidden fruit. But the only wisdom they received from eating the fruit was a knowledge of sin and a feeling of guilt. The light that had covered them as clothing soon disappeared. They began to shiver and to cover their naked bodies.SRme 1.85

Adam and Eve had chosen to believe the words of what they thought was a snake. But the snake had not done anything to show that he loved them. He had not done anything to help them or make them happy. But God had given them everything that was good to eat and pleasant to look at. Everywhere they looked, they saw beautiful things that God had provided for them. But somehow Eve was deceived by Satan into thinking that God was holding back something that would make them wise. Instead of believing God and telling Him her secrets, she distrusted His loving kindness and believed Satan's lies.SRme 1.86

After Adam sinned, he thought at first that he was becoming wiser and more powerful. But as he thought about his sin he became afraid. The air that always had been the same perfect temperature now seemed to feel cold. Adam and Eve felt guilty about their sin. They were afraid as they thought about the future. The sweet love, peace, and happiness they had enjoyed was gone from their hearts. Instead, they felt that they needed something they did not have.SRme 1.87

Adam and Eve also began to think about covering themselves with clothing. Before they sinned they had been clothed in light, just as the angels. Now the covering of light was gone. Adam and Eve realized they were naked. They began to look for something to use as clothing. They did not want to be naked when they met God and the angels.SRme 1.88

Now Adam and Eve could see how wrong they had been. They realized more than before what it meant to disobey a command that God had given them. Adam blamed Eve for not staying close to him and for being deceived by the snake. They made themselves believe that because God loved them and had done everything to make them happy, He would excuse their sin. Perhaps their punishment would not be as bad as they first thought.SRme 1.89

Satan was excited about his success in tempting Adam and Eve. Satan had succeeded in getting Eve to distrust God, to question God's wisdom, and to want to understand some plans that God had not explained. Through Eve, Satan had caused Adam to sin too. Adam loved Eve so much he was willing to disobey God and to join her in sinning.SRme 1.90

When news of Adam and Eve's sin reached the angels in heaven, they stopped playing their harps. They were sad, and took their crowns off their heads. The angels were upset to think that Adam and Eve were so ungrateful to God when He had given them so much. A meeting was called in heaven to decide how Adam and Eve should be punished. The angels were afraid that Adam and Eve would now eat the fruit of the tree of life. If they ate that fruit, they might continue to live forever as sinners.SRme 1.91

The Lord visited Adam and Eve to tell them the result of their sin. As they heard God coming, they tried to hide from Him. Before sin, they always had been glad to have Him visit them.SRme 1.92

The Lord called, "Adam, where are you?"SRme 1.93

Adam answered, "I heard you calling, and I became afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."SRme 1.94

God asked, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil?"SRme 1.95

Of course, God knew the answer to His question. But He asked the question so Adam and Eve would understand clearly why they felt ashamed and afraid.SRme 1.96

Adam then admitted that he had sinned. Adam did not admit his wrong because he was sorry for what he had done; instead, he wanted to blame God. Adam said, "The woman You gave me gave me the fruit and I ate the fruit."SRme 1.97

God then spoke to Eve. "What did you do?" He asked.SRme 1.98

Eve answered, "The snake tempted me, and I ate the fruit."SRme 1.99