Topical Bible: Conscience of Adam and Eve, After They Sinned

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The account of Adam and Eve's conscience after they sinned is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, marking the transition from innocence to the awareness of good and evil. This event is recorded in Genesis 3, where the first man and woman, created by God and placed in the Garden of Eden, disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:6-7 : "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves."

Upon eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, signifying the awakening of their conscience. This newfound awareness brought with it a sense of shame and guilt, as evidenced by their immediate reaction to cover their nakedness. The act of sewing fig leaves together to make coverings indicates their attempt to address the internal conviction of their wrongdoing.

Genesis 3:8-10 : "Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to the man, 'Where are you?' 'I heard Your voice in the garden,' he replied, 'and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.'"

The response of Adam and Eve to hide from God further illustrates the impact of their awakened conscience. Their fear and attempt to conceal themselves from the divine presence reflect an acute awareness of their transgression and the resulting separation from God. This fear is a direct consequence of their disobedience, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of their actions.

The dialogue between God and Adam reveals the depth of their internal struggle. When questioned by God, Adam admits his fear and nakedness, indirectly acknowledging his guilt. This interaction underscores the role of conscience as an internal witness to one's actions, prompting an acknowledgment of sin and the need for accountability.

Genesis 3:11-13 : "And God said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?' The man answered, 'The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' 'The serpent deceived me,' she replied, 'and I ate.'"

In their responses, both Adam and Eve attempt to shift blame, yet their confessions reveal an underlying recognition of their culpability. Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent, but neither can escape the reality of their disobedience. This blame-shifting is indicative of a troubled conscience, struggling to reconcile the knowledge of sin with the desire to avoid its consequences.

The narrative of Adam and Eve's conscience after they sinned serves as a foundational example of the human condition post-Fall. It illustrates the immediate effects of sin on the human conscience, characterized by shame, fear, and a fractured relationship with God. This account sets the stage for the biblical theme of redemption, as humanity's need for reconciliation with God becomes evident through the awakening of conscience.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 3:7,8
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
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Library

Results of True Repentance.
... right." Someone has said that it was born when Adam and Eve ate of ... sharp words to
his wife, and then to ease his conscience, he goes ... Adam tried it, and failed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/results of true repentance.htm

On Our First Parents and their Fall
... A. Adam and Eve on account of their sin lost innocence and ... I have not to answer in
my conscience for the ... After Adam's sin his will became weak and less able to ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 5 on our first.htm

The Doctrine of Man
... a) On Our First Parents"Adam and Eve. ... of original sin; and How can God justly impute
Adam's sin to ... wicked (Jer.17:9, 10); the mind and conscience are defiled ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of man.htm

Sin and Grace
... describe the anguish of a convicted conscience; for," said he ... had we lived with Adam
and Eve in paradise ... sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

Repentance
... Adam and Eve persuaded themselves ... Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the
thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose; that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

The God of Peace
... through the wondrous mediatorship of Jesus Christ; and he is the God of peace because
he makes peace in the conscience and in ... See Adam and Eve: their days ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the god of peace.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... this not because it is a leaf from the diary of Adam and Eve, but because ... Deflection
from the moral standard set up by each man's conscience, even though ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm

Law and Grace
... Without a divine revelation men can sin, and sin exceedingly"conscience, nature,
tradition, and reason, being each of ... When Adam and Eve rebelled against ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/law and grace.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... For when Adam and Eve, being created ... All the worldly goods which I so carefully gathered,
would I now give for a good conscience, which I so carelessly ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

Where Sin Occurs God Cannot Wisely Prevent It.
... purpose to make moral agents sin; not, for example, Adam and Eve in the ... adopted
professedly to vindicate God as against the human conscience, holds that ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xiii where sin occurs god.htm