Soon this one tree becomes so important that temptation becomes almost overpowering. The one forbidden tree thus in fancy becomes all the trees, and God s justice questioned. Quickly she regains some of her balance, knowing that this is going too far of course, God never was that unjust. Moreover, God is fearful lest we become really like Him, with eyes opened to everything. It is time we took matters into our own hands so let us eat this delectable fruit and really live.
Sin enters the world through subtlety and deception.
Another factor that leads to temptation and sin is the very situation of man s limited dominion. Man s highest authority is over the wild creatures, the serpent of course included, and this unfortunately leads him to feel he ought to have more. Thus does the serpent, representing a part of creation man rightly rules, become a source of temptation to want to rule over more and thus pridefully assume God s place and authority. Pride goes before destruction, and pride assists in mankind s fall. Now let us seek to summarize the cause of sin.