The fall of Adam marked the first sin, commonly known as the Original Sin. It was the disobedience committed by Adam when, in the presence of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he ate the forbidden fruit. However, the underlying cause of this original sin remains a subject of profound contemplation.
In the Mark 7th chapter, Jesus provides a profound insight into the driving force behind Original Sin.
Mark 7:14-15: Jesus called all the people to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone. Understand this: nothing from outside can defile a person. But the things that come out of them defile the person.”
Jesus explained that evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness, all originate from within and defile the person.
From the depths of our hearts, evil thoughts arise, as Jesus firmly declared. He also asserted that food and drink do not defile a person. Jesus said, “Don’t you realize that anything that enters a person from outside cannot defile them?”
Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Jesus explained that evil originates from the heart, and what defiles a person comes from it. He further explained that when a person’s intention or purpose is to do evil, it starts as a thought. He said, “Evil thoughts originate from within, from the depths of men’s hearts.”
This is precisely what Jesus intended to convey when he accused the Pharisees of having the same thoughts and intentions as their father.
John 8:44, where Jesus asserts, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do,” is not a challenge to the lineage of the Pharisees but rather an exploration of the qualities that resembled their fathers and the true meaning of the term “father.”
The term “father” wasn’t used as an endearment to honor their ancestors but rather as a reminder of their behavior. However, the question arises: which father was Jesus referring to? Was it Adam, the creator, or Satan, the embodiment of evil? The answer seems straightforward: Jesus declared, “You are of your father the devil,” unequivocally asserting that the devil was their father.
However, some doctrines complicate this straightforward response. For instance, the doctrine of Satan leaves the matter to itself, accepting the literal fact that the devil was their father without explanation. On the other hand, the doctrine of the Flesh must redefine scripture, alter its meaning, and either portray Jesus as a sociopath or a common liar. My intention is not to engage in a debate about the identity of the father. I believe that the Father is easily discernible from the actual scripture itself.
Our objective is to understand the reason behind the original sin that Jesus was referring to: “The lusts of your father you will do.” Jesus declared that the devil was the first being to lie. This statement was made in the past tense, indicating that it had already occurred. The past tense serves as a category that denotes time reference. In this context, it refers to the inception of human creation.
But then, Jesus shifts his perspective and describes the Pharisees’ actions in the present tense. Jesus concluded by saying that the Pharisees reminded him of the devil when he said, “When he speaks a lie, he speaks of himself: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Jesus was referring to the devil’s presence in their current time when he addressed the Pharisees. Adam, who had been deceased for 4,000 years, couldn’t possibly be the father Jesus was referring to.
However, it’s undeniable that Jesus was referring to a living being. Jesus encountered this entity, the devil, who attempted to deceive him and employed cunning tactics to manipulate the Savior into fulfilling his desires. The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
This living entity, driven by its desires, was the subject of these words: “When he speaks a lie, he speaks of himself.”
This entity is utterly self-centered, which forms the central theme of this thesis: self-centeredness. Just like their father, this self-centered entity prioritized their interests over the well-being of their flock.
The devil, the serpent of the Garden of Eden, was the first to unveil the true origin of disobedience to humanity. It all began with self-centeredness. He targeted a trusting and naive individual, the easiest to persuade. Eve, created with a heart of a servant, was destined to obey her husband and those in authority. To Eve, everyone she encountered represented God. This belief was unwavering, as she had been taught to be a helpmeet to her husband and others. As a servant by nature, Eve readily believed the serpent’s words, mistaking him for an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The dragon, the ancient serpent, who was the Devil, known as Satan, was the one who deceived Eve and tempted Jesus through subtle means. He deceived Eve with self-centered lies and omissions.
Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Paul, aware that deceit could be misinterpreted as prophecy, cautioned that those who taught false lessons could easily be mistaken for apostles of Christ, just as Satan was misunderstood by Eve as an angel of light. Recognizing this potential for confusion, Paul emphasized that it was evident that Satan’s ministers could also be mistaken for ministers of the Word of God.
Eve, deceived by her desires and choosing herself over God, mistakenly believed that her will was equal to God’s. The serpent posed a question that had never occurred to her until she spoke with him:
Genesis 3:1 “And he said to the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Paul included this event as a teaching tool against false prophecy. He said:
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The serpent, with his subtlety, posed a question to Eve that she hadn’t considered, confusing her. She answered his question:
Genesis 3:1
“And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
We can’t fully comprehend how Eve was presented with this question. What facial expressions did you use to convey deceit? What voice inflections did you employ to change the meaning of your exchange into a taunt? Regardless of the circumstances, Eve responded with this retort:
Genesis 3:2
“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:”
This statement appears to be presented as a point of contention to debate the accusation that she genuinely had the option to select any of the tree’s branches and their fruits. She then adds her caveat:
Genesis 3:3
“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.”
Eve asserts her boundaries set by God, which the serpent promptly denies. Recognizing her fallen state or God’s plan, he presents his conspiracy theory.
The serpent said:
Genesis 3:4
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”
A bold lie, without waver, marked the beginning of the false doctrine he was teaching to Eve.
Genesis 3:5 reveals that God is aware that when Eve eats the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, her eyes will be opened, and she will become like gods, knowing good and evil.
The serpent, cleverly concealing his true intentions, discloses his deepest desire to Eve, presenting it as an absolute truth. However, this is a sociopathic distortion of reality. Satan, the master manipulator, dangles the carrot, the reward for disobedience, a calculated and premeditated act intended to influence Eve’s character, the helpmeet. The serpent’s words, “You shall be as gods,” seem like an enticement for Eve. But how would the serpent know that the position of godhood would tempt Eve? The obvious answer is that the same offer had tempted the serpent himself. In his mind, he believed himself to be a god, all he needed was worshippers who believed in him as a God.
Then, he concludes this statement by asserting that God has a hidden agenda, which the serpent is revealing to Eve and the reason behind suppressing God’s teachings of evil. The serpent declares, “knowing good and evil,” which the serpent claims God has concealed from Eve.
This is an admission of guilt by Satan, the serpent. Satan claims to possess the knowledge of “good and evil,” asserting his divine status. To accept this, he must believe that God and Jesus were aware of the distinction between good and evil. This belief necessitates the assumption that they had committed evil, just like he had done.
Satan, as the embodiment of Genesis 3:5, served as irrefutable evidence that his words to Eve were indeed true. The serpent, in his arrogance, mistakenly believed he had attained divine status, proclaiming, “You shall be as gods.” Titus further delves into this delusion in the subsequent verse.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Genesis 3:5 reveals the consequences of consuming the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As an angel of light to Eve, he suggested that she could become like him. Unsuspecting, she swallowed the bait, hook, line, and sinker. Eve deliberately chose to disobey God and partake of the forbidden fruit.
Eve made a selfish decision based on irrational reasoning and false beliefs. She willingly chose to do as she pleased and reveled in her own choice.
Genesis 3:6 states, “And when the woman 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, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
However, it’s never explained what and how Eve ate from the tree. The prevailing interpretation is that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the serpent. If we interpret the conversation as Eve consuming and accepting a false doctrine, then this verse, Genesis 3:6, becomes evidence of what transpired.
Eve engaged in a conversation with the serpent, also known as the tree, indulging in self-centered thoughts such as eating, consuming, listening, and being fed. She observed the serpent, who had disguised himself as an angel of light, and found his appearance captivating. This led to her envy of his physical attributes. Later, she shared this knowledge with Adam, who willingly partook in the act of eating, fulfilling his desires toward Eve overriding those of God.
All three characters in this conversation were self-centered. One was a narcissistic sociopath, while the other two adopted the same behavior as their father, who had nurtured their malevolent desires in the garden.
Adam and Eve’s selfishness manifested in disobedience, as exemplified by the serpent. This disobedience resulted in the divine curse of death upon all humanity.
Before the act of Adam and Eve, humanity was not cursed with death. This raises the question: had the serpent been judged for his disobedience?
Genesis 3:22 states, “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:”
This scripture is rarely used as an origin of the serpent because it rarely serves as a teaching tool to reveal the truth about the fallen angel, commonly known as Satan. This revelation provides irrefutable evidence that Satan is not a human being.
The Lord God, who was Jesus, was speaking to God the Father and/or the Heavenly Host. Jesus proclaimed that Adam and Eve had become as one of the Heavenly Hosts. They believed they had achieved this position by becoming the eaters of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Jesus then stated that Adam and Eve would attempt to claim the benefits they had once partaken of without consequence, eating again from the Tree of Life to live forever.
One of the Heavenly Hosts had consumed the knowledge of good and evil. They had committed an act of disobedience, disregarding their divine duty and succumbing to their desires and self-centeredness. The actual act is not explicitly mentioned here, but there is a strong hint of reason in the book of Mark when Jesus accused the Pharisees of wrongdoing.
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Traditions are beliefs that emerge from illogical reasoning. They are imaginative concepts developed to adapt to evolving circumstances. For instance, the serpent believed himself to be a God, a member of the royal family, and a member of the generation of Gods composed solely of two participants: Jesus and Almighty God. The scripture that lends proof that Satan had practiced evil intent without action is spoken of by Jesus and the thoughts and intent of a man’s heart.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The serpent's belief transformed him into a nonbeliever, eventually leading to divine punishment if he acted mischievously. That fateful day arrived when Satan fulfilled his heart’s desire; his lust manifested in the garden with Eve, and he deceived Eve with his teachings of Satan. His desire was to be believed and treated as a god. Eve recognized the serpent as a god by believing his doctrine over God’s command. The serpent was also judged alongside Adam, Eve, and humanity that day. God meted out this judgment as a form of punishment for their self-centeredness.
Self-centeredness manifests in various ways and is mentioned in every book of the Bible.
Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the Good Samaritan all exemplify self-centeredness in their respective stories. Eve’s pursuit of godhood was driven solely by self-interest and independence. Adam’s indulgence to please his wife. Similarly, Cain’s self-centeredness stemmed from a desire for God’s attention. Moreover, the robber in the Good Samaritan story’s lust for money exemplifies self-centeredness. On the contrary, those who refused to help the Good Samaritan displayed their selfishness by resisting any form of assistance. They were unwilling to be burdened or influenced by others.
Pharaoh, driven by fear of defiance, demonstrated his self-centeredness by resisting the Ten Plagues. Jonah, driven by his prophetic duty and his self-interest, sought retribution instead of forgiveness. Noah’s story serves as a reflection of the world’s self-centeredness and self-indulgence. The Coat of Many Colors symbolizes jealousy and the recognition of power within a family and government. Finally, the Temptation of Jesus exemplifies Satan’s self-centeredness, fueled by a desire for recognition and authority.
James describes self-centeredness as humanity’s most profound concern. In James’s view, self-centeredness is the root cause of all evil, a self-inflicted affliction.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
We often prioritize our well-being, which can conveniently excuse self-centered behavior, leading to justified evil. To overcome this, we must acknowledge our self-centeredness. The Bible gives self-centeredness its own identity by naming it the Flesh.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh (self-centeredness) shall of the flesh (self-centeredness) reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh (self-centeredness), the desires of the flesh (self-centeredness) of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh (self-centeredness).
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh (self-centeredness) in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh (self-centeredness), through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (self-centeredness), and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
Our selfish desires, overpowered by emotions, justify our malevolent intentions, leading us to commit evil thoughts and actions openly, causing harm and destruction not only to our victims but also to ourselves.
Self-centeredness is the root cause of disobedience and the downfall of humanity. Jesus taught us the most profound commandments, which directly contradicts self-centeredness when he proclaimed:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
We must internalize these scriptures, replacing all selfish desires with the love of Christ and his people.
Written by: Charles Cohenour Jr. 3/2025
