Genesis 2:9 (ESV)
“And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
At first glance, one might wonder: Why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, knowing it would bring death if eaten from?
Why didn’t He just leave the tree of life and other fruitful trees, so that man could live forever in joy and fellowship with God?
Could it be, from a human perspective, that God’s plans are difficult to understand?
Absolutely not. Let me assure you: God’s plans are always perfect, good, and full of purpose, even when they don’t align with our limited human understanding.
We often assume the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was evil in itself—that it shouldn’t have been in the garden. But that’s not what Scripture teaches. In truth, the tree was good. After all, everything God created was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). It served a divine purpose.
Without that tree, humanity would never have gained the capacity for moral discernment. Knowledge is not inherently sinful—it is a reflection of the image of God. But knowledge without submission to God leads to pride, self-rule, and ultimately, destruction.
Adam and Eve were created in innocence. Before eating the fruit, they didn’t possess moral awareness or the concept of shame (Genesis 2:25). They didn’t know sin or righteousness; they simply lived in obedient fellowship with their Creator. But once they ate from the forbidden tree, their eyes were opened—they became conscious of right and wrong, of shame and dignity, of moral responsibility.
And that’s exactly what God foresaw. He knew that true image-bearing would eventually require moral knowledge—but He also knew that knowledge apart from Him would lead to ruin. That’s why He gave a warning:
“…for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” — Genesis 2:17 (ESV)
To offset the danger of knowledge, God placed another tree in the garden—the Tree of Life. It symbolized not just eternal existence, but life in fellowship with God. Had Adam eaten of that tree after gaining knowledge, he would have received both wisdom and immortality—becoming like God not only in understanding but in holiness and eternal life.
But Adam and Eve chose independence. And we’ve been doing the same ever since.
Today, every human being carries this knowledge within. We can choose. We can plan. We can create. We can say “yes” or “no.” That’s why we don’t live like animals or programmed machines. We make our own decisions—often without relying on God, without seeking His will.
And therein lies the danger. As the Apostle Paul warns:
“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV)
Knowledge leads many to believe they don’t need God—that human wisdom, science, and progress are enough. That we can improve ourselves, enhance our appearances, chase pleasure, and redefine morality without any consequences. But this is deception.
As Scripture says:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)
Without the Tree of Life, we are lost in the wilderness of our own intellect. We need more than knowledge—we need redemption. And that redemption comes through Jesus Christ, who is now the true and living Tree of Life.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” — John 14:6 (ESV)
Many people today trust in their education, technology, or philosophy to save them. But salvation is not found in intellect—it is found in Christ alone. Without Him, our knowledge leads only to death.
“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” — John 8:24 (NIV)
These are the last days. The signs are all around us—moral decay, natural disasters, spiritual confusion. The trumpet could sound at any moment. The time to repent is now. The time to seek the Tree of Life—Jesus Christ—is today.
If you haven’t yet surrendered your life to Him, I urge you: Turn to Jesus now.
Confess Him as Lord, believe in His name, and be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38). Only then will you receive the eternal life that comes from the Tree of Life Himself.
May God bless you as you seek Him.
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