1. Introduction: The Two Natures of Mankind: From the Tree of Knowledge to the Tree of Life
From the very beginning of human history, God placed before man a choice: life or death, obedience or rebellion, fellowship or separation.
This choice was represented in the Garden of Eden by two trees: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life.
Though they may have seemed like just part of the scenery, each tree carried deep spiritual meaning. One led to the fall; the other offered eternal life. And the decision Adam and Eve made that day still echoes in us today.
Every human being—whether aware or not—lives in the tension between these two realities: the old nature we inherited through sin, and the new nature we receive when we are born again in Christ.
Today, I invite you to reflect: Which nature are you living from? Are you feeding on the knowledge of good and evil, or are you partaking of the Tree of Life, who is Jesus?
Join me on this journey through the Word, as we discover how God calls us to put off the flesh, ego, and sin—and to live fully in the Spirit as new creations in Him.
Humanity walks with two contrasting spiritual natures — the old and the new. This reality is rooted in the story of two trees: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life. The first brought death; the second brings life. This contrast shapes our spiritual journey and reveals the transforming power of Christ.
2. The Old Nature – Born of the First Adam
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
In Genesis 2, God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But they disobeyed, choosing independence from God over trust in Him. The result was catastrophic: sin entered the human heart, and mankind took on a fallen nature — the old self:
Self-centeredness replaced God-centeredness.
Shame and fear entered where innocence once lived.
Humanity became separated from the presence of God.
This old nature is carnal — it seeks to fulfill desires outside of God’s will. Paul describes this in Romans 7, where he wrestles with his flesh: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
We were born into this nature — a legacy of brokenness passed on through generations.
3. The New Nature – Born Again Through Christ, the True Vine.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6) “To the one who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Jesus is the Second Adam—the One who came to restore all that was lost. He not only lived a sinless life, but He is also the True Vine, the One who gives Life to all who believe in Him. Through His death and resurrection, He made a way for us to be born again—not of the flesh, but of the Spirit (John 3:3–6).
When we receive Christ, we are partakers of the True Vine (2 Peter 1:4)
We are given a new heart and a new spirit.
We become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are no longer slaves to sin, but sons and daughters of God.
This new nature desires holiness, intimacy with God, and obedience to His will. It is nourished by abiding in Christ — the true Vine (John 15).
4. The Daily Battle Between the Two Natures
Though we are made new in Christ, the old nature doesn’t disappear overnight. Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:17 that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
Our walk, then, is a process of sanctification — learning to crucify the old self daily and live by the Spirit. We do this by:
Renewing our minds with God’s Word (Romans 12:2)
Walking in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)
Feeding the new nature through prayer, worship, and obedience
5. Conclusion: Which Tree Are You Eating From?
The question for every believer is this: Which tree are you feeding from daily?
The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil leads to self-reliance, pride, and spiritual death.
The Tree of Life, representing Jesus, leads to dependence on God, humility, and eternal life.
To walk in the new nature is to abide in Christ, to feast on His Word, and to allow His Spirit to shape us into His image. Let us no longer live out of the old man, but from the life of Christ within us.
“Put off your old self… and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
