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Genesis 2:15-17(ESV)
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,
17 but of 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.”
When God talked to Adam about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He was quite clear in his instruction to Adam. That is, Adam was commanded not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This seemed an easy request. However, the challenge presented when “another voice” started speaking.
Genesis 3:4-5 (ESV) states: But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Adam and Eve listened to the serpent – the ‘other’ voice – and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their eyes were opened, and they could now see they were naked.
Genesis 3:11 records God speaking to Adam. The verse states: He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat (ESV)?”
The fall of man, as recorded in Genesis 3, highlights something that should forever be burned in the hearts and minds of believers. That is, we must do what God tells us to do. We must obey God.
Obeying God is not something we do begrudgingly. Rather, it is something we do willingly out of our love for God. In John 14:15 (NIV), Jesus connected obedience to love. The scripture states: “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Scriptures reveal that there are benefits to obeying God. Consider the following:
- Proverbs 3:1-2 (ESV): My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
- Isaiah 1:19 (ESV): If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
- Luke 11:28 (ESV): But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
When we obey God, it shows our devotion and commitment to God. It shows that we honor God. It shows that we trust God.
When we obey God, it demonstrates that we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It shows that we are following the leading of Jesus Christ who walked in perfect obedience to God.
Romans 5:19 (ESV): For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domain.
