As a pastor, I get so many questions from people from all walks of life. This is especially common among young people. Before responding, it’s important to note that the Bible narrates the event of how Adam and Eve sinned against God in Genesis 3. If you have your Bible, please read it now so that we’re on the same page.
Reading Genesis 3 gives us clear biblical insight about what happened at the fall. I will start with my conclusion that sex wasn’t the “forbidden fruit” that Adam and Eve ‘ate’. Here are five reasons:
1. Sex was already blessed by God.
After creating man God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen.1:28).
2. The fruit was actual.
Notice this verse, “so, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” (Gen. 3:6). It was an actual fruit that Adam and Eve ate. They individually ate it which points to the fact that it was an actual fruit.
3. Adam and Eve were sent out of Eden and away from the trees.
When God banished them away from the garden of Eden, the trees remained in the garden guarded by a cherub with a flaming sword (Gen.3:24). They didn’t leave sex in the garden but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life.
4. The Bible is plain when it talks about sex.
For example, “Adam knew Eve and she conceived.” (Gen. 4:1, 25), “Daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father.” (Gen. 19:36), “Amnon violated his sister, Tarma, and lay with her.” (2 Sam. 13:14) and many more examples. If the “forbidden fruit” was sex, the Bible would have mentioned it plainly.
5. The original sin was outright disobedience.
God told Adam and Eve “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”(Gen. 2:17). But in disobedience they both ate the fruit. (Gen. 3:6).
Consequently, every person is now born in sin; opposed to God and on his way to hell. But God demonstrated his love by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place and save us. When we repent of our sins and turn to Christ in trusting faith, we find salvation.
What have you always thought the forbidden fruit was? If you have any question, please use the contact form to submit to us for answers. Thanks!