Basic Bible Basic Bible TeachingTeaching

Lesson 3Lesson 3THE PROBLEM OF SINTHE PROBLEM OF SIN

IntroductionIntroduction Review:Review:

The creation of Adam and EveThe creation of Adam and Eve God’s First God’s First lawlaw

The reason why God created the SerpentThe reason why God created the Serpent The Serpents reasoning and theThe Serpents reasoning and the ffirst irst llieie Why Eve listened to the Serpent and disobeyed GodWhy Eve listened to the Serpent and disobeyed God The source of temptation and sinThe source of temptation and sin The The result of sin – we all deserve to dieresult of sin – we all deserve to die HopeHope

Review: Review: Adam and EveAdam and Eve

Created in the image of God (Gen 1:27, 9:6)Created in the image of God (Gen 1:27, 9:6) Formed of the dust of the ground and the breath Formed of the dust of the ground and the breath

of life (Gen 2:7)of life (Gen 2:7) Naked and unashamed (Gen 2:25)Naked and unashamed (Gen 2:25) Given dominion over other creatures (Gen 1:28)Given dominion over other creatures (Gen 1:28) Placed in the Garden to tend and keep it (Gen Placed in the Garden to tend and keep it (Gen

2:15)2:15) They did not know good and evil (Gen 3:22)They did not know good and evil (Gen 3:22)

Review: The First LawReview: The First Law

God did not create Adam and Eve as robots. They had freewill.God did not create Adam and Eve as robots. They had freewill.

To test their obedience, God gave Adam and Eve one law to keepTo test their obedience, God gave Adam and Eve one law to keep

Just like us today, Adam and Eve had the choice to obey or disobey GodJust like us today, Adam and Eve had the choice to obey or disobey God

When we obey God we honor him, and He is pleased with us, and He then When we obey God we honor him, and He is pleased with us, and He then can reward us with lifecan reward us with life

And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; But you must not eat from the tree from any tree in the garden; But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. surely die. Gen 2:16-17Gen 2:16-17

What was in the garden?What was in the garden?

Everything that was Everything that was needed, needed,

as well as; as well as; The tree of LifeThe tree of Life The tree of the knowledge The tree of the knowledge

of good and evilof good and evil

God's 1st commandment

Where did the Serpent come Where did the Serpent come From?From?

An animal made by God:An animal made by God: 'Now the serpent'Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild was more crafty than any of the wild

animals animals the LORD God had made.the LORD God had made.”” Genesis 3:1Genesis 3:1

It was part of God’s “very good” It was part of God’s “very good” creationcreation “ “ God saw God saw allall that he had made, and that he had made, and it was very good.it was very good.””

Genesis 1:31Genesis 1:31

It is likely that God created the serpent It is likely that God created the serpent especially to test Adam & Eve’s especially to test Adam & Eve’s obedience to himobedience to him ““more crafty”more crafty” = cunning & deceitful = cunning & deceitful Could talk and reason with manCould talk and reason with man

The SerpentThe Serpent

A beast of the field (Gen 3:1)A beast of the field (Gen 3:1) The Most cunning/subtle/crafty (Gen 3:1)The Most cunning/subtle/crafty (Gen 3:1) Had the power of speech (Gen 3:1)Had the power of speech (Gen 3:1) Could reason (Gen 3:1-5)Could reason (Gen 3:1-5) Knew of God’s command (Gen 3:1)Knew of God’s command (Gen 3:1)

The Serpent’s Reasoning The Serpent’s Reasoning Genesis 3:1-Genesis 3:1-55

The Serpent said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not The Serpent said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'you must not eat fruit from the tree that the garden, but God did say, 'you must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die."die."

"You will not surely die,""You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.  "For God the serpent said to the woman.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'be like God, knowing good and evil.'

• The original Hebrew word for “God” used here is the plural word “Elohim” which can refer to God’s Angels who act as His representatives.

• The Serpent knew of God’s command and probably overheard several conversations between Adam/Eve and the Angels

• The Serpent observed two major differences between Adam/Eve and the Angels:

1) The Angels were Strong & incapable of dying; and

2) The Angels know (or have experience of) “good and evil”

• However, the serpent came to the wrong conclusion regarding the reason for these differences.

The Serpent’s ReasoningThe Serpent’s Reasoning

Adam & Eve

Angels or “Elohim”

BODY EAT?

Knowledge of

Good & Evil

Strong

Weak

Anything

Anything EXCEPT

the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil

Yes

No

Serpent’sLogic

Difference =

1. Eat the Fruit

2. Obtain theKnowledge ofGood & Evil

“your eyes will be opened”

3. Become Like God(Elohim or the Angels)

“You will not surely die”

What the Serpent MissedWhat the Serpent Missed1) God’s law that obtaining a Knowledge of good and evil (by 1) God’s law that obtaining a Knowledge of good and evil (by eating the fruit) will result in deatheating the fruit) will result in death

““but you must not but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you for when you eat of iteat of it you will surely die." you will surely die." Genesis Genesis 22:1:177

Therefore, the serpent’s logic “you will not surely die” was Therefore, the serpent’s logic “you will not surely die” was the first liethe first lie

2) That a Knowledge of Good & Evil = to know or experience sin2) That a Knowledge of Good & Evil = to know or experience sin ““For the wages of sin is death” For the wages of sin is death” Rom 6:23Rom 6:23 ““the sting of death is sin” the sting of death is sin” 1 Cor 15:56 1 Cor 15:56 ““sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15James 1:15

Therefore:Therefore: Eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil = SinEating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil = Sin

SIN

SIN

What the Serpent Missed What the Serpent Missed (2)(2)3) That the Angels were once Sinners3) That the Angels were once Sinners

After Adam and eve sinnedAfter Adam and eve sinned, the Angels expressed their understanding of , the Angels expressed their understanding of what it was like to sin:what it was like to sin:

“ “And the LORD God And the LORD God [Elohim – Angels][Elohim – Angels] said, "The man has now become said, "The man has now become like one of like one of usus, knowing good and evil.”, knowing good and evil.” Genesis Genesis 33::2222

4) That God rewarded the Angels with eternal life after a period of trial.4) That God rewarded the Angels with eternal life after a period of trial. 2 Major Reasons:2 Major Reasons:

1) God alone (the Father of all) has immortality and has always existed:1) God alone (the Father of all) has immortality and has always existed:

“… “… God who gives life to all things…. God who gives life to all things…. alone has immortalityalone has immortality” ” 1 Tim1 Tim 6:13-166:13-16 “… “…from everlastingfrom everlasting to everlasting you are to everlasting you are God” (El – singular) God” (El – singular) Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2

2)2) God’s principle is trial before salvation: God’s principle is trial before salvation: ““To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also

overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev 3:21Rev 3:21 “… “… exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through

many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.“ many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.“ Act 14:22Act 14:22

Therefore, at some stage prior to the creation record in Genesis 1, Therefore, at some stage prior to the creation record in Genesis 1, it is likely it is likely thatthat God rewarded the Angels with immortality after a period of trial (when God rewarded the Angels with immortality after a period of trial (when they were once like us, mortal sinners)they were once like us, mortal sinners)

Where the Serpent went Where the Serpent went wrong: wrong:

Adam & Eve

Angels or “Elohim”

BODY EAT?

Knowledge of

Good & Evil

Strong

Weak

Anything

Anything EXCEPT

the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil

Yes

No

Serpent’sLogic

Difference =

1. Eat the Fruit

2. Obtain theKnowledge ofGood & Evil

“your eyes will be opened”

3. Become Like God(Elohim or the Angels)

“You will not surely die”

A. Correct, but it didn’t understand the background of Angels, and how they were once sinners

B. It’s conclusion was a lie, in direct opposition to God’s word.

½ ½

Why did Eve listen to Why did Eve listen to the serpent?the serpent?

She was deceived!She was deceived!14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

HOW WAS SHE DECEIVED?

1. Listening to the serpent

2. Listening to her own lusts

“It was good for food”“It was pleasant to the eyes”

“It was a tree to be desired to make one wise” Gen. 3:6

The Source of The Source of TemptationTemptation

1st John 2:15,16

Lust of the Lust of the fleshflesh

Lust of the eyesLust of the eyes

Pride of lifePride of life

Genesis 3:6

Good for food

Pleasant to the eyes

Desired to make one wise

The ConsequencesThe Consequences

The arrival of sin The arrival of sin & death& death Removal from the Garden of EdenRemoval from the Garden of Eden Removal from the presence of GODRemoval from the presence of GOD Sin Sin & death & death is passed on to all humankindis passed on to all humankind

What is sin?What is sin?

““Sin is the transgression of the law” Sin is the transgression of the law” 1 John 3:41 John 3:4

Disobedience toward GodDisobedience toward God

The desire to serve our own lusts and The desire to serve our own lusts and passionspassions

Why do we Sin?Why do we Sin?When tempted, no one should say, "God is When tempted, no one should say, "God is

tempting me." For God cannot be tempted tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.dear brothers.

James 1:13-15James 1:13-15

When tempted, no one should say, "God is When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is temptedeach one is tempted when, when, by his own evil by his own evil desiredesire, he is dragged away and enticed. , he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived,Then, after desire has conceived, it gives it gives birth to sinbirth to sin; and ; and sinsin, when it is full-grown, , when it is full-grown, gives birth to deathgives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my . Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.dear brothers.

James 1:13-15James 1:13-15

PunishmentPunishment

Then to Adam He said …Cursed is the ground because of you … By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.

Genesis 3:17,19: NASB

To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall bring forth children; Yet your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you. Genesis 3:16: NASB

"And the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly shall you go, And dust shall you eat All the days of your life” Genesis 3:14: NASB

A Mental Change: "The eyes of both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked ” (Gen. 3:7) They were now aware of what sin was, and the Bible teaches that from that time forward, human nature has had a bias toward sin. This mental change caused . . .

A Moral Change: They were no longer “Very Good” , but because of their actions from their now sinful nature they became estranged from God. Finally, the punishment that God had clearly stated became a reality, the result being . . .A Physical Change: They began to die, as God had had said they would – “for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Gen. 2:17)

The Downfall of Adam & The Downfall of Adam & EveEve

We inherit We inherit Adam and Eve’s Adam and Eve’s fallen naturefallen nature

'As it is written: "There is no-one righteous, not 'As it is written: "There is no-one righteous, not even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God.who seeks God. All have turned away, they have All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one.“does good, not even one.“

Romans 3:10-12 Romans 3:10-12

““Therefore, just as through one man sin entered Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned“spread to all men, because all sinned“

Romans 5:12Romans 5:12

Consequence of SinConsequence of Sin

Genesis 2:17 & 3:19 Genesis 2:17 & 3:19 Death Death

Romans 5:12Romans 5:121.1. ““Sin entered into the world”Sin entered into the world”

2.2. ““and death through sin”and death through sin”

3.3. ““and so death passed upon all men”and so death passed upon all men”

4.4. ““for all have sinned”for all have sinned”

1)1) “ “ Sin Entered Into The World . . . ”Sin Entered Into The World . . . ”From then on, sin reigned like aFrom then on, sin reigned like a king over mankind.king over mankind. “ Let “ Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”obey it in the lusts thereof.” ((Romans 6:12)Romans 6:12)

2)2) “ “ And Death By Sin . . . ”And Death By Sin . . . ”Death was a penalty imposed by God once sin had Death was a penalty imposed by God once sin had

become a fact.become a fact. 3)3) “ “ Death Passed Upon All Men . . . ”Death Passed Upon All Men . . . ”What was a penalty to Adam, became to all others a law What was a penalty to Adam, became to all others a law of their nature.of their nature. 4)4) “ “ For That All Have Sinned . . . ”For That All Have Sinned . . . ”Adam's descendants inherited not only mortality, but also a proneness towards sin. All men, left to themselves, will inevitably sin. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately desperately wicked; who can know it?wicked; who can know it? ” ” (Jeremiah 17:9)(Jeremiah 17:9)

Rom. 5:12Rom. 5:12 - 4 Important - 4 Important Points: Points:

Death: A State of Death: A State of HopelessnessHopelessness

Cessation of life, thought, actionCessation of life, thought, actionPsalm 6:5; 30:9; 88:10-12; Ecclesiastes 9:5-10; Isaiah Psalm 6:5; 30:9; 88:10-12; Ecclesiastes 9:5-10; Isaiah 38:18,1938:18,19

A state of silence A state of silence Psalm 115:17Psalm 115:17

A condition of corruption A condition of corruption Acts 13:36Acts 13:36

Life & immortality Life & immortality promisedpromised not possessed not possessed 2 Timothy 1:102 Timothy 1:10

Apart from resurrection, the dead have Apart from resurrection, the dead have perished perished 1 Corinthians 15:1-191 Corinthians 15:1-19

HOPEHOPE

Remember John 3:16?Remember John 3:16?

‘‘For God so loved the world that he For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'perish but have eternal life.'

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1.1. How did God punish Adam and Eve?    How did God punish Adam and Eve?   

2.2. Why did Eve eat of the fruit of the tree of Why did Eve eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?   the knowledge of good and evil?  

3.3. What is sin?    What is sin?   

4.4. Where does it come from?    Where does it come from?   

5.5. Who took away the great problem of Who took away the great problem of sin?   sin?   

Further resultFurther resultss of Adam and Eve’s of Adam and Eve’s disobediencedisobedience

The The promise in Eden: deliverance from sin & promise in Eden: deliverance from sin & deathdeath

The promises of God to AbrahamThe promises of God to Abraham and David: and David: to inherit the whole world forever.to inherit the whole world forever.

How we can share in these promisesHow we can share in these promises

Next lessonNext lesson

The Promises of GodThe Promises of God