Earth’s Very First Lie

Knowing the truth matters…

God created a paradise on earth. He placed Adam and Eve in this paradise filled with trees that were beautiful to look at, fragrant to smell, and filled with delicious fruit and nuts. Four rivers ran through the garden, and gold filled its soil. It was perfect.

There was only one caveat. In the middle of the garden, God put a tree that bore spectacular fruit. It was the only tree from which Adam and Eve couldn’t eat.

Genesis 2:16-17 is very clear: “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

One day, the biggest liar of them all showed up in the garden. He spoke the very first lie recorded in the Bible: “You won’t die…God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).

Adam and Eve wanted that fruit. Why shouldn’t we eat it? It looks delicious. It will make us as wise as God. God is so unfair not to let us eat it. So Eve slowly reached out and touched the fruit with one finger, then wrapped her hand around it, and pulled it off the tree. She stared at it for a few seconds, and finally took a huge bite. She handed it to Adam, and he had a bite, too.

Just that quickly, paradise changed. Adam and Eve changed. Mankind changed. And nothing was ever the same again.

What can we learn from the very first lie?

1. God’s word is truth. Satan is the father of lies. John 8:44 says that the devil is full of nothing but lies. When he speaks, he speaks his native language of lies and deception. In contrast, God’s word is always true. Hebrews 6:18 says it is literally impossible for God to lie. That’s why we absolutely must immerse ourselves in the Bible—because we must know what is true. Our eternal destination depends on knowing the truth.
2. We tend to justify our sinful desires and actions. Adam and Eve wanted to eat that fruit, so they justified their desire to disobey God. When we start thinking God’s word doesn’t apply to us because our situation is so unique, we’re in trouble. When we justify desires and actions we know violate God’s word, we’re heading down a dangerous path that will lead to our destruction if we don’t change direction.

God’s word is the source of all truth. God’s word in our hearts prevents sin. God’s word keeps us moving in the right direction. It reveals the lies of the enemy. We ignore the truth of God’s word at our own peril.

In John 17:17, Jesus prayed for us. He said, “Your word is truth! So, make them holy by the truth.” Amen and amen. Let it be so.

Dear God, teach me the truth. I know your word is the source of truth. Give me a desire and determination to read and know your word so I will not be deceived or confused about what is true and what is a lie. Order my steps in your word. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.