Questions about Eden
Why do we have we sin in us because of Adam and Eve's action? Why did God put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden to provide the opportunity for man to fall into sin?
The Bible speaks of imputed guilt (Romans 5:12-19). You and I were not personally present in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, but God has charged you and me and all people as being guilty of sin. In addition, Adam and Eve have passed down through the generations a sinful nature. With the exception of Jesus Christ, all people are conceived and born in sin (Psalm 51:5).
People sometimes object to one person’s sin in the Garden of Eden adversely affecting others. Romans chapter five also makes it clear that one person’s life of perfect obedience (Jesus Christ) has positively affected others.
Certainly, God knew that his perfect world would become corrupted by sin. While God could have prevented that from happening, he did not. The Bible does not tell us why. Still, God’s knowledge of future evil does not make him responsible for it.
The placement of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—and the command not to eat from it—provided Adam and Eve with tangible opportunities to show their love and devotion to God. When they disobeyed God’s command, there were grave consequences. Yet, God promised a Savior (Genesis 3:15). Jesus Christ came into the world as true man in fulfillment of that promise to deliver us from sin, death and the power of the devil. Thanks be to God.