Genesis 3:1-13
We shall see that man’s happiness in Eden was short-lived. In the guise of the serpent, the devil introduces himself into the garden and gains the woman’s trust at the same time as he insinuates into her heart mistrust towards God. "God does not love you," he whispers, "since He is depriving you of such a great advantage. Not only will you not die but ’ye shall be as gods’". The Liar thus sows pride and envy in the poor human heart (read in contrast Philippians 2:6).
"When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin" (James 1:14-15). Alas, man has been deceived; the knowledge of good and evil has not given him any strength to do the good or to avoid the evil. The only result has been to make him conscious of his nakedness. He is ashamed of what he is by nature. And the apron of fig leaves which he has made for himself only serves to illustrate the vain efforts of humanity to hide its moral misery. But "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). "Where art thou?" (v. 9). "Hast thou eaten of the tree?" (v. 11). "What is this that thou hast done?" (v. 13). These are terrible questions which do not allow evasions or excuses.