Consequences of Adam and Eve disobedience - JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

The consequences of the disobedience of Adam and Eve were many. It brought about a sense of guilt, suffering, evil, the breaking-down of law and order and the loss of God’s kingdom (rule) over man. We have seen all these bad consequences of sin from what happened after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

Disobedience brings sense of guilt: (Genesis 3:6-7). After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, their eyes opened and they realized that they were naked. They were ashamed of their nakedness. Instead of innocence, there was now a sense of guilt for having done wrong. Therefore, sin brings a sense of guilt.

Disobedience brings suffering: (Genesis 3:14-19). God made Adam and Eve suffer for their disobedience by punishing them so that they may learn not to disobey Him again. They were driven out of the Garden of Eden, which was their paradise. Instead of living in comfort, they were to suffer and die. The woman was to suffer pain at childbirth. The man was to earn his living by struggling and sweating for his daily bread. The serpent (devil) was to be their worst enemy. Thus, sin brings suffering.

 Disobedience brings Evil: (Genesis 4:1-12). The disobedience of Adam and Eve affected their children and all mankind; their children became evil and continued in the disobedience of their parents. When Cain realized that God had rejected his sacrifice in favour of that of his brother, Abel, Cain did evil by killing his brother. God was angry with Cain and He punished him. Instead of being a farmer, Cain was to become a fugitive and a wanderer in the wilderness. Therefore, sin leads to evil and wickedness.

Disobedience causes breakdown of law and order: (Genesis 6:5-7). As the descendants of Adam and Eve multiplied on earth, there was more and more evil. The people imagined wicked things against their neighbours and fought them and killed them. There was so much wickedness and cruelty in the world that law and order broke down completely. God was very, very angry. He was sorry for creating man because, instead of obeying Him, man had become rebellious.

Disobedience brings about the loss of God’s kingdom (rule) over man: The break in relationship that the disobedience of Adam and Eve caused between God and man meant that God’s rule, which He established over man by commanding him to obey Him, was no longer present in his life. By his act of rebellion, man had lost God’s kingdom or rule over him.