0318. 313. Eve’s Three Sins

313. Eve’s Three Sins

Eve did three things in connection with the Word of God. She added to it, took from it, and she altered it.

1. She Took from the Word of God. The Lord’s command was as follows: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat” (Gen_2:16). Eve’s answer to the serpent’s tempting question was: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden” (Gen_3:2). It will be seen that the woman left out of God’s direction the word “freely,” and by doing so she not only took from His Word, but cast a reflection upon His character.

2. She Added to the Word of God. God made one exception to the trees from which our first parents were to eat, and that was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. His command was: “But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen_2:17).

Eve’s reply to the tempter is as follows: “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Gen_3:3).

The woman added to the words of God, by saying, “Neither shall ye touch it.” The Lord did not say anything about touching the tree. His command was that they were not to eat of the fruit of it.

3. She Altered the Word of God. The consequence of disobedience was stated very clearly and emphatically. The Lord said: “Thou shalt surely die” (Gen_2:17). But the woman altered the words to “Lest ye die” (Gen_3:3). Thus minimising the sharp and pungent words, “Thou shalt surely die.”

Men are doing the same things today in connection with God’s Word, and it becomes all of us to see to it that we do not do the same.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH