“And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:9

Why did God create the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, especially considering God’s warning in verses 16-17: “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 in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”? Did you ever wonder?

The truth is that we don’t know. Some suggest it was put there as a test of man’s respect, love and trust for God since Adam and Eve were created with a free will (which was lost in the fall) rather than as robots doing what they were programmed to do. Others think it may have had another purpose in the garden.

One thing that is certain is that God did not put the tree there to be a temptation to sin for “God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one” (James 1:13), nor is it God’s fault that Adam and Eve sinned and brought sin into the world.

Some, of course, would like to blame God for everything, saying, “He made me like that,” and implying that God is the cause of our sinful inclinations, thoughts, words and actions. The blame, however, lies squarely upon us, and it is only of God’s undeserved love and kindness that He sent Jesus to bear our punishment and be our Savior!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

I have sinned, O God, and gone astray. You sent Your Son to win my stay. Grant that I trust in Him alway. Amen.