I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 11:3
Why did God put a limitation on the tree in the Garden of Eden? Why do we have limitations at all?
In order to enjoy freedom, there must be sufficient restriction so that we can understand what freedom is. A baseball player isn’t free to play baseball if there are no foul lines. A football player isn’t free to play football if there are no sidelines. God placed the restriction in the Garden of Eden to give us the ability to choose. In that way, freedom is better understood.
Another reason why God put a restriction in the Garden of Eden was to remind man that he is a created being. Restrictions make it clear who is in charge. God wanted it to be clear that there is a major difference between created man and the Creator God. God is transcendent. He is infinite and omniscient. We are not.
Satan used these restrictions to trick Eve into focusing on the negative. He distracted her attention from the goodness of God and directed her to the restrictions of God. In following Satan’s lead, Eve lost sight of the freedom God had given her.
Do you appreciate the restrictions in your life as opportunities to enjoy your true freedom?