doctrine of sin
Introduction The first acts of sin takes place in Genesis 3: 1-24, The Fall of Man. God told Adam before Eve was created that he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen. 2:17) Further God warned that in the day he did eat fruit of that tree man would surely die. Satan tempted Eve; he took the form of a serpent. (Gen. 3:1) The serpent is described as being cleverer than any other animal of the field. This probably is why Satan chooses to take the form of a snake. Eve seems not to think it unusual that the serpent could speak to her. Possibly, Adam and Eve could communicate with animals, but again that is pure speculation. Satan begins the temptation with a question, "Hath God not said Ye shall no eat of every tree of the garden?"(Gen. 3: 1) This is the way of Satan to bring into question what God has plainly stated. It is actually bringing God Himself into question. To question God is suggest that God could be wrong, or have some evil reason for what He says. Eve's response was to correct Satan's question, by stating that she and Adam could eat of all the trees of the garden except the one tree called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve goes on further to say they could not eat or "touch" it lest they die. God had said in Genesis 2:17, that they should not eat it. God did not say anything about touching it. This addition to what God had said seems to indicate that Eve resented the fact of God prohibition not to eat of that particular tree. On the other hand, it could mean that she was indicating her understanding that God did not want them to have anything to do with this tree. God said not to eat the fruit; she concluded she shouldn't even touch it. Eve then allowed herself to be deceived in three areas. First, Eve saw the fruit was good for food, appealing to the flesh and bodily senses. Second, She saw it was pretty, appealing to the emotions, and third, it appealed to her mind and intellect, in that she wanted to be