Consequences of Sin

Based on Genesis 3:7–19 and Romans 5:12, what were the main con-

sequences of sin?

Captivated by the persuasive speech of the serpent, Eve did not antici­

pate the far-reaching consequences of the road that she was following.

In itself, the act of eating from the forbidden fruit was not as significant

as what it actually represented. By such an act of disobedience, Eve

broke her loyalty to God and assumed a new allegiance to Satan.

Genesis 3 describes the fall of Adam and Eve and some of its most

tragic consequences. From a theological perspective, both were over-

taken by theophobia (being afraid of God) and hid themselves from

Him (Gen. 3:8). From a psychosocial assessment, they were ashamed

of themselves and began to accuse each other (Gen. 3:7, 9–13). From

a physical standpoint, they would sweat, feel pain, and eventually die

(Gen. 3:16–19). And from an ecological perspective, the natural world

had degenerated (Gen. 3:17, 18).

The Garden of Eden was no longer the beautiful and pleasant place

it used to be. “As they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the

first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply

than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate

flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast

off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that

death is the portion of every living thing.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs

and Prophets, p. 62.

Adam and Eve did not die immediately, in the sense of ceasing to

live, but on that very same day they received their death sentence. The

Lord told Adam, “ ‘In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till

you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are,

and to dust you shall return’ ” (Gen. 3:19, NKJV). The Fall brought

tragic consequences indeed to all humanity. The apostle Paul explains

that “just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came

through sin, . . . so death spread to all because all have sinned” (Rom.

5:12, NRSV).

The sad and painful fact is that just as humanity has experienced

through all ages, we today suffer the consequences of what happened in

Eden. How thankful we can be, though, that because of Jesus and the Cross

we have the hope of eternal life in a world where sin will never rise again.

As we reflect on Eve’s tragic experience, what lessons can we

learn from it about the consequences of our own sinful acts?