The Lodestar

Many who read the story of creation in the Bible always note a few important themes and moments. One of these is the existence of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But why would God put it there, to begin with?

As we read Genesis, we find only two trees mentioned in the garden: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now, what does the Tree of Knowledge represent?

There are two main things that the tree represents:

Seeking our own understanding

Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the garden; they were also in commune with God. There was no need for them to seek their own understanding and know their own forms of good from evil when God was there to show them.

God told them that the eating of such fruit would cause them death, which it did. They lived in a state of spiritual death, which was a life away from God. As modern-day Christians, this is important for us to note because we often seek worldly knowledge and figure things out ourselves when the simple answer is right in front of us: seeking God.

Freewill

Some critics think that God set Adam and Eve up for failure by placing the tree in the garden. However, it is important to note that without the tree, Adam and Eve would have no choice in obeying God. They could have exercised their free will if they had no choice. Thus, God gave them free will by placing the tree in the garden.

Why is free will important?

God wanted an active relationship with Adam and Eve, as he wants with us. However, a forced relationship is not a real relationship. God gives us free will to choose whether and how much of our lives he should be a part of. He is an ever-present and ever-loving God waiting for our arrival.

It is truly up to us and only us to decide how much of a relationship we seek with our maker. This relationship could potentially change our lives if we allow it to.

(Shruthi Susan is active in her church and is passionate about the various complex issues the Christian youth face in their individual journeys of faith and growth.)