Genesis 3:22

Genesis 3:22

The temptation under which man fell in paradise was an ambitious curiosity after knowledge which was not allowed him; next came the desire of the eyes and the flesh; but the forbidden tree was called the tree of knowledge; the tempter promised knowledge, and after the fall Almighty God pronounced, as in the text, that man had gained it. What is so miserably seen in the history of our first parents has been the temptation and sin of their posterity ever since, indulgence in forbidden, unlawful, hurtful, unprofitable knowledge. (1) Notice that evil curiosity which stimulates young persons to intrude into things of which it is their blessedness to be ignorant. (2) The pursuit of science, which characterises these times, is very likely to draw us aside into sin of this particular kind, if we are not on our guard. (3) There are persons who boast themselves of what they call their knowledge of the world and of life. There are men who look upon acquaintance with evil as part of their education. (4) Another very different class of persons who study evil and pride themselves upon it, and are degraded by it, are those who indulge themselves in contemplating and dwelling on the struggle between right and wrong in their own minds. Even when used rightly, the knowledge of sin is not without its danger. The love of God alone can give such knowledge its right direction.

Reflections such as these show how different is our state from that for which God made us. He meant us to be simple, and we are unreal; He meant us to think no evil, and a thousand associations, bad, trifling, or unworthy, attend our every thought. But Christ has purchased for us what we lost in Adam, our garment of innocence. He has bid us and enabled us to become as little children. He has purchased for us the grace of simplicity.Let us pray God to give us this great and precious gift.

Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times,"vol. v., p. 335. (See also J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. viii., p. 256.)

References: Genesis 3:22. J. Martineau, Endeavours after the Christian Life,p. 313; T. Arnold, Sermons,vol. iv., p. 1; R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis,vol. i., p. 86; L. D. Bevan, Christ and the Age,pp. 193, 243.Genesis 3:23. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xiv., p. 115.