What sort of fruit grows on a tree of “the knowledge of good and evil?” What looked so irresistible to Eve that it made her disobey God? Was it an apple, a pear, a pomegranate or what?
Wrong question. The fruit (undoubtedly delicious) did not produce the sin. Something went wrong deep inside the hearts of Adam and Eve when they fell for the forbidden fruit. Eve tried to blame the serpent and Adam blamed Eve, but in fact, they had only themselves to blame.
It is easy to blame our sins on other people or things. We like to point to poverty, abusive parents or the seductive entertainment industry to justify our vices. Such excuses won’t fly with God. Beauty is not to blame for adultery. Money does not make us greedy. Poverty and pain occur to us all, but some face it with virtue while others blame it for their vice. The problem lies deeper than objects and circumstances.
Jesus knew where the problem was. He said, “A good man produces good out of the storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” (Luke 6:45).
Turning our circumstances around is not enough. Oh, it may provide a temporary fix, but it can’t create virtue or correct vice. Do-it-yourself religion won’t work either. A turn must take place in your heart and it must be a full 180. And to keep from turning back, you must keep a firm hold on God’s hand and trust His knowledge of good and evil over your own.