The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

I was thinking this morning about how much we all are controlled by that first fateful bite. As you may recall, there were two trees in the garden of Eden - the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As you also know, the latter tree was the subject of God's prohibition. They could eat all they wanted of the Tree of Life, but avoid the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil at all costs, or die. Wow! I would have cut a wide birth, wouldn't you? At least, I think I would have. Who knows for sure?

Anyway, biblical teachers tend to focus on the death sentence of the fall to the exclusion of other foci. What about this - what about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would bring death to mankind? Think about it . . . I'll wait . . . .

The knowledge of good and evil seems like a good thing, doesn't it? Shouldn't we focus on being good and not evil, and knowing the difference? How else will we know how to live? And yet, God said that that knowledge would bring death to us, each and every one. Knowing life brings life - knowing good and evil brings death. What does it mean to know Life? Jesus said that He was the Life, the Way and the Truth.

I find myself too easily grading life, grading others, grading myself according to that good and evil tree. Every single time it brings forth death, and only death. When I extend life, love and grace, it always brings forth the good fruit of Life.