Knowledge versus Discernment

The fall of man was cause by his desire to have the “knowledge” of good and evil. However, to “discern” good and evil is described as a sign of spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:14) and of a heart that is listening to God (1 Kings 3:9).

God placed two trees in the center of the Garden of Eden – the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating from the tree of life sustained the lives of Adam and Eve. Eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil resulted in their death.

Adam and Eve lived in a world that was only good, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). The serpent, possess by satan, lied to Eve. He told her the only difference between humans and God was the knowledge of evil. If she ate the forbidden fruit, she would obtain knowledge and “be like God” (Genesis 3:5). What he did not tell her is that she would know evil because she would be committing evil. There is no evil in God so actually would be less like God.

Simply stated, good is keeping God’s commandments and evil is violating God’s commandments. God knows evil without committing evil. For example, God recognizes a lie while it is impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

Man was made in the image of God and was meant to learn from God how to discern good and evil. For example, God taught man that killing was wrong without man having to take a life himself. Man can only have the “knowledge” of evil through experience.

Discernment is desirable. King Solomon prayed, “So give Your servant an understanding heart to govern Your people to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). The word translated as “understanding” means “to listen attentively.” To listen to God’s direction and instruction.

A listening heart is a heart of flesh and not of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). A heart with God’s word written on it (Jeremiah 31:33) that takes direction from it.

Instead of becoming like God, Adam and Eve experienced death. Death is separation. Physical death is the separation of our spirit from our body. The separation they experienced immediately (Genesis 2:17) was separation from the presence of God.

That separation was demonstrated by their removal from the garden (Genesis 3:24). They could do nothing to restore their unity with God. Only through Jesus paying the price for sin could man’s unit with God be restored.

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; [my commandments, John 14:15] and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John14:23).

God’s commandments instruct us to discern good and evil. Keeping God’s commandments shows Him that we love Him (Deuteronomy 11:1). Keeping God’s commandments is how we love our neighbor, “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;” (Romans 12:9).