Temptation and Fall
37
Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon proba-
tion; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity
to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish.
God had made them the recipients of rich blessings; but should they
disregard His will, He who spared not the angels that sinned, could
not spare them; transgression would forfeit His gifts and bring upon
them misery and ruin.
The angels warned them to be on their guard against the devices
of Satan, for his efforts to ensnare them would be unwearied. While
they were obedient to God the evil one could not harm them; for, if
need be, every angel in heaven would be sent to their help. If they
steadfastly repelled his first insinuations, they would be as secure as
the heavenly messengers. But should they once yield to temptation,
their nature would become so depraved that in themselves they would
have no power and no disposition to resist Satan.
The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their obedience
and their love to God. The Lord had seen fit to lay upon them but
one prohibition as to the use of all that was in the garden; but if
they should disregard His will in this particular, they would incur the
guilt of transgression. Satan was not to follow them with continual
temptations; he could have access to them only at the forbidden tree.
Should they attempt to investigate its nature, they would be exposed to
his wiles. They were admonished to give careful heed to the warning
which God had sent them and to be content with the instruction which
He had seen fit to impart.
In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to em-
ploy as his medium the serpent—a disguise well adapted for his pur-
pose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most
beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through
the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color
and brilliancy of burnished gold. Resting in the rich-laden branches of
the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an
object to arrest the attention and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus
in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey.
The angels had cautioned Eve to beware of separating herself from
her husband while occupied in their daily labor in the garden; with him
she would be in less danger from temptation than if she were alone.
But absorbed in her pleasing task, she unconsciously wandered from
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