The Biblical Model of Man's Failure

Introduction

God’s Word is the only true source and authority for living.

Psalm 19:7–11 KJV 1900

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It reveals man’s failure, the subsequent consequences, and the effect that man’s original sin has on today’s world (based on Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-4:12; Romans 5:12).

Mankind was created in God’s image

Genesis 1:26–27 KJV 1900

26 And 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

NOTE: Man was unique, created in righteousness, recipient of blessings and responsibilities.

Mankind sinned and has borne the many consequences of that sin unto the present day.

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Spiritually (warning of separation from God )

Genesis 2:17 KJV 1900

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Physically (focus on self)

Genesis 3:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 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.

NOTE: Adam and Eve gave in to the desires of self-gratification and self-exaltation, knew they were naked, sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves.

Mentally (fear, worry, anxiety, deceptiveness)

Genesis 3:8–10 KJV 1900

8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

NOTE: Adam and Even hid themselves because they were afraid.

Socially (Adam-blame shifting, discontent with marriage; Eve-blame shifting; seeking to justify sin)

Genesis 3:12 KJV 1900

12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:13 KJV 1900

13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Environmentally (the natural realm suffers)

Genesis 3:17–19 KJV 1900

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Interpersonally (anger)

Genesis 4:4 KJV 1900

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

NOTE: Abel’s offering accepted.

Genesis 4:5 KJV 1900

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

NOTE: Cain’s offering rejected resulting in Cain becoming angry accompanied by a fallen countenance.

Genesis 4:7 KJV 1900

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

NOTE: God’s exhorts Cain and gives him the solution to depression.

Genesis 4:8 KJV 1900

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

NOTE: Cain refuses God’s solution and murders Abel.

Personally (fugitive and self-pity)

Genesis 4:9 KJV 1900

9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Genesis 4:12 KJV 1900

12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

NOTE: Cain did not repent and was cursed as a vagrant and a wanderer.

Genesis 4:13 KJV 1900

13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

Perpetually

Genesis 5:3 KJV 1900

3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

Universally (born in sin)

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Man’s primary need is to be justified (declared righteous) by God and reconciled through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5).

A regenerated person is called to holiness (purity, without blame) and sanctification (set apart from God) (1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 5:23; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:16, 2:9).