Forbidden fruit - why the knowledge of Good and Evil was not meant for us?

Why would God forbid the knowledge of good and evil to Adam and Eve? This seems strange as even the fruits from the Tree of Life were not forbidden to them. And when God forbid to eat these fruits, He explained what kind of tree it was. God wanted us to know that he hadn't meant the knowledge of good and evil for us. Why?

But the LORD God warned him, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden -- except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die."

( Genesis 2:16-17 )

Let’s see what happened to Adam and Eve on the very first meeting with God right after eating the forbidden fruit.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" He replied, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

( Genesis 3:8-10 )

The knowledge of Good and Evil made Adam and Eve hide from God. Hide from the one who created them, who loved and cared for them…

With this, we already see that the first response caused by the extra knowledge was not very promising. Adam and Eve, in the same way as we all, are simply not ready for such a powerful knowledge.

The knowledge of good and evil made us rely on our own judgement instead of following God. We do not see all that God sees, we do not comprehend all complexity and interconnectivity of things in this world. We lack God’s wisdom and understanding, yet we readily stamp the things we see with "Good" and "Bad"…

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

( Isaiah 55:9 )

This stolen knowledge blinds us and keeps away from the message of God. When we hear "bad" news or critique against us, we will judge that bad person instead of trying to understand his message for us.

Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One-- the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.

( Acts 7:52 )

King David was one of the rare exceptions who was actually listening to the word of God regardless of whether good or bad person it was coming from, and whatever form the speech took.

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul's family. "Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!" he shouted at David. "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?" Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. "Let me go over and cut off his head!" "No!" the king said. "Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the LORD has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?"

( 2 Samuel 16:5,7,9,10 )

Indeed, however loved by God David was, he was a murderer who later was not allowed to build a temple for God.

"But the LORD said to me, 'You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name.

( 1 Chronicles 22:8 )

If we look further, we’ll understand that we also get what we deserve no matter good or bad person it comes from. Yes, it’s natural for us to blame our manager who did not give us a raise, another driver who hit us in a car accident, a thief who stole something valuable from us, another person we had conflict with… We always see the evil in someone else, and do not see the message meant for us behind what had happened…

"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?

( Matthew 7:3 )

Yes, if bad person or bad circumstances approached, it's never without a reason.

But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the LORD your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.

( Jeremiah 26:13 )

So let’s withhold our judgement on those who we think is Evil, but shed the light of love on everyone, as a true children of our Heavenly Father.

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

( Matthew 5:45 )

Now we see that every knowledge comes with great responsibility. While we got the knowledge of Good and Evil, we do not have full understanding to use it properly. Therefore, let’s withhold our judgement and rely on God in all we do.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

( Proverbs 3:5-6 )