Why the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil??
Many people wonder why God created the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil if He knew Adam and Eve would fall. But the tree wasn’t a trap — it was part of God’s loving design for real relationship.
Supportive Scriptures:
Genesis 2:16–17 — “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–5 — “Love… does not demand its own way.”
First, God wasn’t trying to hide information from them. He would have taught Adam and Eve about the brokenness and imperfection that existed outside His will. He wasn’t a “because I said so” parent. He wanted to guide them into wisdom, not keep them in ignorance.
Second, love always gives a choice. God had to give them the freedom to choose His way or their own way. Love never forces itself. Without a real choice, there can be no real trust, obedience, or relationship.
Third, they would have faced this decision eventually. If it wasn’t this tree, another moment of choice would have come. At some point, they would have had to decide whether to trust God’s voice or trust their own understanding.
Fourth, choosing the tree was an act of pride — choosing to learn the hard way instead of letting God teach them gently. But God never intended for humanity to learn through pain (and He still doesn’t). His heart has always been to lead us, teach us, heal us, and give us wisdom without shame or suffering.
The tree wasn’t about withholding. It was about relationship, freedom, trust, and love.
Reflection:
Where do you feel tempted to “learn the hard way” instead of trusting God’s voice and timing?
