The Fall of Man, as described in the Book of Genesis, marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, where humanity's original state of innocence and communion with God was disrupted by sin. This event not only introduced physical and spiritual death into the world but also resulted in the depravity of the human mind, affecting all of Adam's descendants.

Genesis Account

The narrative of the Fall is found in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve, the first humans, were placed in the Garden of Eden with the freedom to eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent, more cunning than any other beast, tempted Eve by questioning God's command and suggesting that eating the forbidden fruit would make them like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5). Eve, seeing that the fruit was desirable for gaining wisdom, ate it and gave some to Adam, who also ate (Genesis 3:6).

Consequences of the Fall

The immediate consequence of their disobedience was the opening of their eyes to their nakedness, symbolizing a newfound awareness of sin and guilt (Genesis 3:7). This act of rebellion against God's command resulted in a fundamental change in the human condition, affecting the mind, will, and emotions.

Depravity of Mind

The depravity of the human mind is a direct consequence of the Fall. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, describes the fallen state of humanity: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts" (Romans 1:21). This futility and darkness indicate a corruption of the mind, where human reasoning is impaired and inclined towards sin.

Paul further elaborates on this condition in Ephesians, stating, "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts" (Ephesians 4:18). The hardness of heart and ignorance are manifestations of a mind that is estranged from God, unable to comprehend spiritual truths without divine intervention.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The depraved mind is characterized by an inability to discern moral and spiritual truths, leading to a life that is contrary to God's will. In Romans 8:7, Paul writes, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so" . This hostility and rebellion against God are inherent in the fallen nature, resulting in a propensity towards sin and moral corruption.

Redemption and Renewal

Despite the pervasive effects of the Fall, Scripture offers hope for the renewal of the mind through Christ. Paul exhorts believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2), indicating that through the work of the Holy Spirit, the mind can be restored to align with God's truth and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Fall of Man brought about a profound depravity of the human mind, affecting humanity's ability to know and relate to God. This condition underscores the necessity of divine grace and redemption through Jesus Christ, who offers the hope of renewal and restoration.Romans 8:5-7
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you from now on walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 1:21
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... The consequence of this fall, besides that ... So he drove out the man, and he placed
at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword, which ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm

State in which Man was Created. The Faculties of the Soul --The ...
... and degradation of our nature in consequence of the ... must diligently guard against
this depraved procedure, and ... transient will, that out of man's fall he might ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 state in which.htm

The Heavenly Treasure in Earthen Vessels
... But all of these are more debased and depraved by the fall of man, than we can ... If
I judge a man to be better than he really is; in consequence I really ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 124 the heavenly treasure.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... or indirectly, were injured and misdirected by the fall. ... the evils that overtook
his constitution in consequence of sin ... Man by nature is degraded, because he is ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ...
... provided better for our safety by preventing Adam's fall. ... is not improper to say,
that, in consequence of the corruption of human nature, man is naturally ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm

Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
... especially in subjects where error is of pernicious consequence. ... For the natural
man cannot bear to recognise ... well from experience how often we fall, even when ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 man now deprived.htm

Seventh Proposition of Arminius
... one a priore, the other, a posteriore or by absurdity of consequence. ... a posteriore
was as follows; If God ordained that man should fall and become ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/seventh proposition of arminius.htm

Moral Depravity.
... the antipathies and repellencies of the feelings fall into great ... make up the outward
life of the selfish man. ... is greatly out of balance, in consequence of the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxii moral depravity.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... It is of no consequence, that many blots may be detected in their conduct; by the
mere study of virtue ... Man, since he was corrupted by the fall, sins not ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

Human Inability
... room at any hour you choose, and to fall upon your ... do not like to hear you say a
man cannot save ... my own option, repent and believe, and the consequence is that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human inability.htm

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