Adam and Eve and Temptation
Kyle Dudzinski
Ms. Cecelia
AP English 12
20 December 2010
Temptation Temptation has been around since the conception of our Earth. All civilizations, including the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the British, and even modern day individuals, have fallen victim to temptations that the world offers. John Owen described temptation as “a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or destruction.” A temptation is an act that appears enticing to an individual, but is usually coupled with damaging implications that may lead to feelings of regret and remorse. A person may fall victim to temptation when he lacks the self control to avoid enticing situations and is persuaded by another individual to commit such an act. The Bible provides many powerful examples of temptation. A most recognizable illustration of temptation is Adam and Eve’s insolence toward God in the book of Genesis. In this story, God has planted the Garden of Eden and set Adam and Eve there to watch over it, allowing them to eat from all the trees in the garden except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. A serpent, living in the Tree of Knowledge, tempts Eve into eating the fruit of the tree by saying it will make her more like God. The woman then convinces Adam to disregard God’s warning, thus causing each of them to succumb to temptation. God discovers their failure to abide by his rules and burdens Adam and Eve with humanity, including difficult labor and painful childbirth because they could not resist temptation. God insists that mankind not disregard His rules, even in the face of temptation. He wants mankind to rise above devilish seduction and lead faith-based lives. This message is also evident in the Lord’s Prayer when addressing God: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” These words confess man’s weakness when confronting temptation, and ask God to shelter him from persuasion, because
Ms. Cecelia
AP English 12
20 December 2010
Temptation Temptation has been around since the conception of our Earth. All civilizations, including the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the British, and even modern day individuals, have fallen victim to temptations that the world offers. John Owen described temptation as “a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or destruction.” A temptation is an act that appears enticing to an individual, but is usually coupled with damaging implications that may lead to feelings of regret and remorse. A person may fall victim to temptation when he lacks the self control to avoid enticing situations and is persuaded by another individual to commit such an act. The Bible provides many powerful examples of temptation. A most recognizable illustration of temptation is Adam and Eve’s insolence toward God in the book of Genesis. In this story, God has planted the Garden of Eden and set Adam and Eve there to watch over it, allowing them to eat from all the trees in the garden except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. A serpent, living in the Tree of Knowledge, tempts Eve into eating the fruit of the tree by saying it will make her more like God. The woman then convinces Adam to disregard God’s warning, thus causing each of them to succumb to temptation. God discovers their failure to abide by his rules and burdens Adam and Eve with humanity, including difficult labor and painful childbirth because they could not resist temptation. God insists that mankind not disregard His rules, even in the face of temptation. He wants mankind to rise above devilish seduction and lead faith-based lives. This message is also evident in the Lord’s Prayer when addressing God: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” These words confess man’s weakness when confronting temptation, and ask God to shelter him from persuasion, because