The Impact of the Fall on Humanity
Summary
In our exploration of the state of fallen humanity, we began by reflecting on the original condition of man as created by God. Man was made in the image of God, living in perfect harmony and fellowship with Him, possessing original righteousness and moral uprightness. However, the current state of humanity starkly contrasts this original design. The question arises: what caused this drastic change? The answer lies in the biblical doctrine of the Fall, which is not merely allegorical or mythical but a historical event that fundamentally altered human nature and the world.
The Fall introduced sin and evil into the world, not as inherent qualities within man, but as external forces that tempted and led to disobedience. The serpent's temptation of Eve, and subsequently Adam, was rooted in a desire for a shortcut to divine knowledge and an insinuated doubt of God's love. This act of disobedience was a refusal to submit to God's will, resulting in a severance from God and a host of consequences: shame, guilt, fear, spiritual death, and a new, adversarial relationship with nature.
Despite these consequences, man retained his intellectual capabilities, though his moral and spiritual faculties were deeply affected. The Fall did not strip man of his essential qualities but marred his original righteousness and fellowship with God. This historical event explains the pervasive presence of sin and the need for salvation, highlighting the profound impact of the Fall on humanity and creation.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Image of God and Original Righteousness: Man was created in the image of God, reflecting His glory and living in perfect harmony with Him. This original state was marked by righteousness and moral uprightness, which was lost due to the Fall. Understanding this original design helps us grasp the depth of humanity's current fallen state. [00:41]
2. The Nature of Temptation and Sin: Temptation and sin entered the world from an external source, not from within man's original constitution. The serpent's temptation was rooted in a desire for a shortcut to divine knowledge and a doubt of God's love, leading to disobedience. This highlights the importance of vigilance against external influences that lead us away from God's will. [18:33]
3. Consequences of the Fall: The Fall resulted in a range of consequences, including shame, guilt, fear, spiritual death, and a broken relationship with nature. These consequences underscore the gravity of sin and the profound impact of disobedience on humanity and creation. [29:25]
4. The Retention of Intellectual Power: Despite the Fall, man retained his intellectual capabilities, which allowed for the development of civilization. This retention indicates that while sin marred humanity's moral and spiritual faculties, it did not strip man of his essential qualities. [35:42]
5. The Historical Reality of the Fall: The Fall is a historical event, not merely allegorical or mythical. Accepting its historicity is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative and the pervasive presence of sin in the world. This acknowledgment challenges us to confront the reality of sin and the need for redemption. [12:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the State of Fallen Man
[00:41] - The Image of God in Man
[01:39] - The Change in Humanity
[02:34] - The Need for Salvation
[03:11] - Refuting Alternative Theories
[04:07] - Dualism and Evolution
[05:56] - Resistance and Knowledge Theories
[08:02] - The Biblical Doctrine of the Fall
[09:04] - Allegory vs. History
[10:56] - The Serpent and Symbolism
[12:34] - The Historicity of Genesis 3
[18:33] - Temptation from the Outside
[22:35] - Ambition and Shortcut to Knowledge
[29:25] - Results of Disobedience
[35:42] - Intellectual Retention Post-Fall
[39:13] - The Ruins of Man Post-Fall
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-24
2. Romans 5:12
3. 2 Corinthians 11:3
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 3, what specific actions did the serpent take to tempt Eve, and how did Eve respond to these temptations? [20:26]
2. In Romans 5:12, how is the entry of sin into the world described, and what consequence does it highlight?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 11:3 compare the deception of Eve to the potential corruption of believers' minds?
4. What are the immediate consequences of the Fall as described in Genesis 3, and how do they affect Adam and Eve's relationship with God? [29:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being made in the "image of God" relate to the original righteousness and moral uprightness of humanity before the Fall? [00:41]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of temptation and sin, particularly in terms of external influences versus internal desires? [18:33]
3. How does the historical reality of the Fall, as emphasized in the sermon, challenge modern interpretations that view it as allegory or myth? [12:34]
4. In what ways does the retention of intellectual power post-Fall reflect on humanity's ability to develop civilization despite moral and spiritual decline? [35:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt tempted by external influences. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Eve's experience in Genesis 3? [20:26]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of vigilance against external influences that lead us away from God's will. What are some practical steps you can take to guard against such influences in your daily life? [18:33]
3. Considering the consequences of the Fall, such as shame and guilt, how do these feelings manifest in your life, and how can you seek reconciliation with God? [29:25]
4. The sermon discusses the historical reality of the Fall. How does accepting this as a historical event impact your understanding of sin and the need for redemption? [12:34]
5. Despite the Fall, humanity retained intellectual capabilities. How can you use your intellectual gifts to honor God and contribute positively to your community? [35:42]
6. Reflect on the idea of a "shortcut" to divine knowledge as a form of temptation. Are there areas in your spiritual journey where you are seeking shortcuts instead of following God's intended path? [22:35]
7. How can the understanding of the Fall and its consequences influence the way you approach relationships with others, especially in terms of forgiveness and grace? [29:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Image of God and Original Righteousness
In the beginning, humanity was created in the image of God, reflecting His glory and living in perfect harmony with Him. This original state was marked by righteousness and moral uprightness, which was lost due to the Fall. Understanding this original design helps us grasp the depth of humanity's current fallen state. The Fall introduced sin and evil into the world, not as inherent qualities within man, but as external forces that tempted and led to disobedience. This act of disobedience resulted in a severance from God and a host of consequences: shame, guilt, fear, spiritual death, and a new, adversarial relationship with nature. Despite these consequences, man retained his intellectual capabilities, though his moral and spiritual faculties were deeply affected. [00:41]
Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV): "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Reflection: In what ways can you reflect God's image in your daily interactions with others today?
Day 2: The Nature of Temptation and Sin
Temptation and sin entered the world from an external source, not from within man's original constitution. The serpent's temptation was rooted in a desire for a shortcut to divine knowledge and a doubt of God's love, leading to disobedience. This highlights the importance of vigilance against external influences that lead us away from God's will. The story of the Fall serves as a reminder that sin often presents itself as an attractive alternative to God's plan, promising immediate gratification or knowledge. However, these temptations ultimately lead to separation from God and the loss of original righteousness. [18:33]
James 1:14-15 (ESV): "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
Reflection: Identify a temptation you face regularly. How can you prepare to resist it today by relying on God's strength?
Day 3: Consequences of the Fall
The Fall resulted in a range of consequences, including shame, guilt, fear, spiritual death, and a broken relationship with nature. These consequences underscore the gravity of sin and the profound impact of disobedience on humanity and creation. The historical reality of the Fall explains the pervasive presence of sin and the need for salvation. It challenges us to confront the reality of sin and the need for redemption, as well as to recognize the ongoing effects of the Fall in our own lives and the world around us. [29:25]
Romans 5:12 (ESV): "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel the consequences of the Fall. How can you seek God's redemption and healing in that area today?
Day 4: The Retention of Intellectual Power
Despite the Fall, man retained his intellectual capabilities, which allowed for the development of civilization. This retention indicates that while sin marred humanity's moral and spiritual faculties, it did not strip man of his essential qualities. The ability to think, reason, and create remains a testament to the image of God within us, even in a fallen state. This intellectual power can be used for good or ill, and it is our responsibility to align our thoughts and actions with God's will, using our capabilities to glorify Him and serve others. [35:42]
Proverbs 2:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."
Reflection: How can you use your intellectual gifts today to serve others and honor God?
Day 5: The Historical Reality of the Fall
The Fall is a historical event, not merely allegorical or mythical. Accepting its historicity is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative and the pervasive presence of sin in the world. This acknowledgment challenges us to confront the reality of sin and the need for redemption. By recognizing the Fall as a real event, we are better equipped to understand the depth of humanity's brokenness and the necessity of Christ's redemptive work. It calls us to live in the light of this truth, seeking God's grace and transformation in our lives. [12:34]
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV): "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How does acknowledging the historical reality of the Fall change your perspective on sin and redemption in your life today?
Quotes
We examined as far as we can in the light of scriptural teaching what this image of God in men really means we found that he was in correspondence with in fellowship with God reflect something of the glory of God happy care able to live without toiling eating of the fruit of the Garden in a state of bliss and possessed of an original righteousness an uprightness his moral being and character corresponding to the god with whom he was thus in Fellowship. [00:38:43]
The whole picture is entirely changed and the question to which we must address ourselves obviously therefore is what is it that uh has produced this change we look at men's present moral and spiritual and even physical condition and I say that we see something entirely different we are confronted by a new series of phenomena with regard to life and death and the whole character of human nature and human life in this world. [00:01:39]
There are those who would say that what the Bible calls evil and sin is just uh a kind of resistance that is an essential part of human nature and has which has been put there by God in order that men might have something to overcome and by overcoming it that he should grow now of EX develops you musle or if you're using any kind of instrument the way to develop your power is to act against a resistance. [00:06:04]
The whole statement in this chapter is given to us as history there's no suggestion of allegory here at all it offers itself to us as plain unvarnished fact and history and if you begin to say that it isn't history or that parts of it are not history you'll find yourself in a utterly contradictory position for instance we are told there about the punishment that followed men's sin and transgression in verses 14 and 15. [00:12:42]
The first thing he tells us is this that evil and sin and temptation came from the outside they came from Satan using the serpent the thing I'm anxious to emphasize is this there was nothing in men's own Constitution that produced it there was no physical necessity at all to produce it it was nothing sensual in men that produced it it came to men enti L from the outside and he had a perfect free will to decide what to do with it. [00:18:30]
Ambition came into it and ambition taking a particular form and the form was this it was a desire for a short road to Divine knowledge now I'm most anxious to emphasize that for this reason I'm never tired of saying in this Pulpit that the ultimate trouble with most false doctrines and especially most false doctrines of sanctification is that they're trying to arrive at something by means of a shortcut. [00:22:31]
The result in their minds it led to a transgression of God's law and to a departure from God perhaps we can sum it up like this it was a refusal on the part of men I'm speaking of Adam and Eve together it was a refusal on the part of men to subject himself to the will of God and to have God to determine the C of his life and his determination to settle this for himself that was it in its Essence. [00:24:03]
The first thing that we are told is that they became conscious of their flesh it's an extraordinary thing this man as he was made originally by God was quite unconscious about his flesh and about his body the men and the wom were naked and that was no trouble to them at all but the moment they said the moment they fall they become conscious of their flesh they become ashamed of it a shame develops in connection with the body. [00:29:38]
He was immediately condemned within himself he became guilty the next thing that's emphasized is that he began to develop a fear of God which he hadn't got before and instead of running to God when God calls him in the cool of the evening he runs away from him to hear the voice of God to men before that was the highest Bliss possible he was in that state of perfect corespondence he had no Craven fear of God and he ran to God he now runs away from him. [00:31:28]
The result of the Fall was this that now it is not possible for him not to die per some of you would like this in Latin the original condition was P non Mari it is now non Noni before possible not to die now not possible not to die he must die therefore he need not now he must it is impossible for him now not to die unless there is some special intervention. [00:34:30]
He didn't lose his intellectual power neither did he die physically immediately indeed there doesn't seem to have been any immediate physical change in him in other words the results and the effects of sin were delayed both physically and mentally there was subsequently a very great decline in man's intellectual and moral and all his other faculties as you see described in the sixth chapter of This Book of Genesis but it didn't happen at once. [00:36:15]
When men fell he did not cease to be men he was still men he didn't lose any of his essential qualities or elements or attributes what he lost was that original righteousness that correspondence to God but his intellect remains his power of self analysis remains his understanding remains his will remains these things remain we'll come into to that later in Greater detail but he lost his original righteousness he lost that fellowship with God he became fearful of God he hides himself he becomes asham self-conscious in a bad sense doesn't know what to do with himself. [00:38:00]
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