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medium the serpenta disguise well adapted for his purpose 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
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unconsciously wandered from his side。 On perceiving that she was alone； she
felt an apprehension of danger； but dismissed her fears； deciding that she
had sufficient wisdom and strength to discern evil and to withstand it。
Unmindful of the angels' caution； she soon found herself gazing with mingled
curiosity and admiration upon the forbidden tree。 The fruit was very
beautiful； and she questioned with herself why God had withheld it from
them。 Now was the tempter's opportunity。 As if he were able to discern the
workings of her mind； he addressed her： 〃Yea； hath God said； Ye shall not
eat of every tree of the garden？〃 Eve was surprised and startled as she thus
seemed to hear the echo of her thoughts。 But the serpent continued； in a
musical voice； with subtle praise of her surpassing loveliness； and his
words were not displeasing。 Instead of fleeing from the spot she lingered
wonderingly to hear a serpent speak。 Had she been addressed by a being like
the angels； her fears would have been excited； but she had no thought that
the fascinating serpent could become the medium of the fallen foe。
To the tempter's ensnaring question she replied： 〃We may eat of the fruit of
the trees of the garden： but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst
of the garden； God hath said； Ye shall not eat of it； neither shall ye touch
it； lest ye die。 And the serpent said unto the woman； Ye shall not surely
die： for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof； then your eyes shall
be opened； and ye shall be as gods； knowing good and evil。〃
By partaking of this tree； he declared； they would attain to a more exalted
sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge。 He himself had
eaten of the forbidden fruit； and as a result had acquired the power of
speech。 And he insinuated that the Lord jealously desired to withhold it
from them； lest they should be exalted to equality with Himself。 It was
because of its wonderful properties； imparting wisdom and power； that He had
prohibited them from tasting or even touching it。 The tempter intimated that
the divine warning was not to be actually fulfilled； it was designed merely
to intimidate them。 How could it be possible for them to die？ Had they not
eaten of the tree of life？ God had been seeking to prevent them from
reaching a nobler development and finding greater happiness。
Such has been Satan's work from the days of Adam to the present； and he has
pursued it with great success。 He tempts men to distrust God's love and to
doubt His wisdom。 He is constantly
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seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity； a restless； inquisitive
desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power。 In their efforts
to search out what God has been pleased to withhold； multitudes overlook the
truths which He has revealed； and which are essential to salvation。 Satan
tempts men to disobedience by leading them to believe they are entering a
wonderful field of knowledge。 But this is all a deception。 Elated with their
ideas of progression； they are； by trampling on God's requirements； setting
their feet in the path that leads to degradation and death。
Satan represented to the holy pair that they would be gainers by breaking
the law of God。 Do we not today hear similar reasoning？ Many talk of the
narrowness of those who obey God's commandments； while they themselves claim
to have broader ideas and to enjoy greater liberty。 What is this but an echo
of the voice from Eden； 〃In the day ye eat thereof〃transgress the divine
requirement〃ye shall be as gods〃？ Satan claimed to have received great
good by eating of the forbidden fruit； but he did not let it appear that by
transgression he had become an outcast from heaven。 Though he had found sin
to result in infinite loss； he concealed his own misery in order to draw
others into the same position。 So now the transgressor seeks to disguise his
true character； he may claim to be holy； but his exalted profession only
makes him the more dangerous as a deceiver。 He is on the side of Satan；
trampling upon the law of God； and leading others to do the same； to their
eternal ruin。
Eve really believed the words of Satan； but her belief did not save her from
the penalty of sin。 She disbelieved the words of God； and this was what led
to her fall。 In the judgment men will not be condemned because they
conscientiously believed a lie； but because they did not believe the truth；
because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth。
Notwithstanding the sophistry of Satan to the contrary； it is always
disastrous to disobey God。 We must set our hearts to know what is truth。 All
the lessons which God has caused to be placed on record in His word are for
our warning and instruction。 They are given to save us from deception。 Their
neglect will result in ruin to ourselves。 Whatever contradicts God's word；
we may be sure proceeds from Satan。
The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the
hands of the half…reluctant Eve。 Then he reminded her
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of her own words； that God had forbidden them to touch it； lest they die。
She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit； he declared； than from
touching it。 Perceiving no evil results from what she had done； Eve grew
bolder。 When she 〃saw that the tree was good for food； and that it was
pleasant to the eyes； and a tree to be desired to make one wise； she took of
the fruit thereof； and did eat。〃 It was grateful to the taste； and as she
ate； she seemed to feel a vivifying power； and imagined herself entering
upon a higher state of existence。 Without a fear she plucked and ate。 And
now； having herself transgressed； she became the agent of Satan in working
the ruin of her husband。 In a state of strange； unnatural excitement； with
her hands filled with the forbidden fruit； she sought his presence； and
related all that had occurred。
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam。 He appeared astonished
and alarmed。 To the words of Eve he replied that this must be the foe
against whom they had been warned； and by the divine sentence she must die。
In answer she urged him to eat； repeating the words of the serpent； that
they should not surely die。 She reasoned that this must be true； for she
felt no evidence of God's displeasure； bu