“The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.“— Charles Spurgeon 

In the Beginning: Created for Life 

In the beginning, God created a world that was good—a world filled with life, beauty, and purpose. When He placed Adam and Eve in the garden, He didn’t leave them to figure things out on their own; He provided everything they needed. More than that, He gave them Himself. They enjoyed perfect fellowship with God, living in His presence, experiencing His care, and knowing His love.  

God also gave them one command, a boundary set for their good: 

“You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) 

This wasn’t merely a rule; it was an invitation to live freely in trust, depending on God’s wisdom. God was saying, “I’ve given you everything you need, but this one thing—leave it to Me.” 

The Moment of Doubt: How the Enemy Worked 

In Genesis 3, the scene shifts. The serpent, Satan, approaches Eve with a seemingly innocent question: “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Here, he plants a seed of doubt. Notice, he doesn’t directly tell her to disobey; he starts by questioning God’s words and motives. 

Eve responds, explaining they may eat from the trees, except for the one in the middle of the garden, which they must not touch or eat, or they would die. Satan presses further: “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

The serpent’s words strike at the heart of temptation, suggesting God is withholding something good. He implies God doesn’t want them to “be like Him,” keeping them from their full potential. Suddenly, the fruit appears not just as food, but as freedom—a chance to rely on herself, to be in control. 

The Cravings of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride. 

As Eve looks at the fruit, three desires awaken within her—desires that have shaped humanity’s pattern of sin: 

1. The Craving of the Flesh: She sees the tree is “good for food,” a desire to satisfy herself rather than trust God’s provision. 

2. The Craving of the Eyes: The fruit is “a delight to the eyes,” stirring envy and dissatisfaction with what she has. 

3. The Pride of Life: She desires it “to make one wise,” yearning for independence, to elevate herself apart from God. 

Here lies the essence of sin: a craving for independence and self-reliance, a struggle found in every human heart. 

The Choice and the Consequence 

Eve takes the fruit and eats. She gives some to Adam, who eats as well. Instantly, everything changes. Their connection with God is shattered. Light gives way to darkness; intimacy to shame and separation. 

This act of disobedience affects not just Adam and Eve but the entire human race. Paul writes: 

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) 

Through Adam’s choice, we inherit separation from God. We are born into a world where we naturally trust ourselves over God, crave independence over fellowship, and seek fulfilment apart from Him.

The Reality of Spiritual Death 

The Bible describes our natural state as being “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). This is not just physical death; it’s spiritual death—a life cut off from God. It explains our emptiness, struggles with selfishness, and longing for something more. 

Living separated from God is like living without light. In darkness, we stumble, reaching for things that can never satisfy. This is what it means to be alienated from God. 

Alone, we are helpless. No effort, good deeds, or knowledge can bridge the gap. We are spiritually dead, utterly unable to bring ourselves back to life.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Questions 

1. What stands out to you about humanity’s fall in Genesis? How does this change your view of sin’s consequences? 

2. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus. How does understanding Adam’s fall deepen your appreciation for what Jesus has done? 3. How do you see spiritual death or separation from God manifesting in the world around us? 

Scripture for Meditation: 

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world… But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:1-5) 

Practical Application: 

Identify an area in your life where you struggle to accept your need for grace. This week, surrender that area to God and reflect on the depth of His love. 

Prayer Point: “Lord, help me remember the depth of my need for You and the life You’ve given me through Christ. Open my heart to see the world as You see it, and fill me with compassion for those who are still spiritually lost.” 

This text is an extract from the book “ARMED & DANGEROUS” written by  Rachel Mahouti. 
We invite you to read the following article “THE STRONGER MAN IN ACTION“.

DEAD IN TRESPASSES. DEAD IN TRESPASSES.