Would You Eat the Apple? A Reflection on Original Sin and Human Nature

Sitting there in the perfect world tempted by someone telling you that it can get even better.... would you eat the apple?

Thanks for joining me on this reflection on original sin and human nature as has been opened to me and my heart by the Lord to help me understand better his Grace. It's my honor to share it with you.

Today, I want to look deep into human nature and dive deep into a thought experiment that has been on my heart lately. Let’s begin with the story of Adam and Eve. In Genesis, God created a perfect world and placed the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. They had everything they could ever want—perfect communion with God, a beautiful paradise, and a life free from sin (Genesis 2:15-17). Now imagine yourself there, in their shoes. You have no wants, no needs, and no separation from God. But then, you’re faced with the same temptation they were: the forbidden fruit. So my challenge to you is engage with me in a reflection on the original sin and human nature and answer me this, would you eat the apple?

Understanding Temptation and Sin

In Genesis 3:1-6, we see how the serpent tempts Eve with the idea that by eating the fruit, she could gain knowledge and become like God. Despite living in a perfect state, both Eve and Adam chose to eat the fruit, thereby introducing sin into the world. This moment is pivotal in human history because it reveals something profound about our nature: the temptation to go beyond God’s will, even in perfection, exists within all of us.

Jesus speaks about the kingdom of heaven being here on earth (Luke 17:21), and yet, we struggle to live without want, control, or hurting others. Why? Because, like Adam and Eve, we’re susceptible to believing that we know better than God. Even when we have everything we need, the temptation to want more, to be more, leads us astray.

The Funk That Holds Us Back

I often think about the “funk” that holds us back in life—the mental and spiritual blocks that prevent us from fully surrendering to God. For me, the funk was addiction, depression, and shame, much like the weight of sin Adam and Eve felt after eating the apple (Genesis 3:7-10). It’s a funk that remains with us all, even as believers. But recognizing it allows us to depend more on God and less on ourselves.

In Romans 7:15-25, Paul shares his own battle with sin, describing how, even when he wants to do good, sin is always close at hand. This struggle is part of the human experience. The more we accept our sinful nature, the more we can lean on God’s grace.

The Potential for Both Good and Evil

Here’s something that has transformed my thinking: every one of us has the capacity for both great good and terrible evil. In fact, unless we can relate to the sins of others, we can’t truly forgive them. Jesus made this clear when He said, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15).

Recognizing that we are capable of the most heinous acts humbles us and drives us to rely on God. It’s easy to look at the sins of others and think, "I would never do that." But the truth is, under the right circumstances, we could all fall into temptation. By accepting this, we can develop deeper compassion and understanding for those who have sinned, just as God has had compassion on us.

Embracing Dependence on God

When we acknowledge our potential for sin, it leads to a beautiful truth: we are utterly dependent on God. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Only by relying on Him can we find true freedom from the bondage of sin.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Yet, through Christ, we have been given the gift of grace, and it’s this grace that allows us to transcend the human condition. We can’t do it alone, but through compassion—suffering with others—we reflect Christ’s love and mercy in the world.

Would You Eat the Apple? A Reflection on Human Nature and the Original Sin

So, I leave you with this question: Would you eat the apple? Given a perfect life, would you still be tempted by the promise of something more, even if it’s a lie? It’s a question that brings us face-to-face with our own humanity, but it also offers us an opportunity to embrace the grace and forgiveness of God.

By recognizing that we are both Adam and Eve—capable of great good and terrible wrongs—we can fully surrender to Christ. Only when we recognize the depths of our sin can we truly fall into the loving, forgiving arms of our Savior.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wellness and life coach, author, entrepreneur, and lifelong researcher and practitioner in the fields of trauma, sports psychology, and spirituality.

His personal journey of overcoming childhood sexual abuse, sexual identity confusion, and addiction to ultimately find Christ fuels his mission and passion in this work. 

Mark created the NViZN program to share the transformative strategies that helped him when triathlon saved him following suicide attempts, a journey detailed in his bestselling memoir, My Suicide Race.

Written and Performed by Mark A. Turnipseed

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