It seemed to make sense at the time.  Eve was probably convinced that this way, the way of eating what was forbidden, was right.  She didn’t remember (or believe) that it would lead to death.  The serpent had convinced her-or politely helped her convince herself-that perhaps she had misunderstood God.  Or maybe He was even holding out on them-although if God knew the full story, as she now did, He would probably allow this fruit fest.  After all, it was only an attempt to enjoy His creation and learn more of it.  What could be wrong with that?  God wants us to enjoy His bounty and He wants us to become wise.  Surely He would be okay with a little pleasure that honors His creation.         

The mind games we play during our times of temptation do not seem as evil as they turn out to be.  We often have good intentions, or at least we convince ourselves that we do.  Forsaking the clarity of God’s Word, we embrace the fuzziness of human reasoning.  Things become relative rather than absolute.  And while we maintain a sense that our motives are right, our decisions are wrong.  We have determined to “do good” rather than to obey God.