5033 knowledge of good and evil

Every human being has some innate knowledge of good and evil. The full knowledge of good and evil derives from God and is revealed in Scripture. The human desire of Adam and Eve to know good and evil, and thus gain independence from God, brought about the fall.

The human quest for knowledge of good and evil

Ge 3:22 See also Ge 2:9; Ge 3:5-6; 2Sa 14:17; 2Sa 19:35; Eze 28:2-7

The consequences of the attempt to attain this knowledge

Ge 2:17 See also Ge 3:7-19; Eze 28:13-19; Ro 1:28-32

God as the source of full knowledge of good and evil

Ps 119:66 See also Job 28:28; Ps 34:11-14; Ps 111:10; Ro 7:7

The natural knowledge of good and evil

Given in the human conscience Ro 2:14-15 See also Job 27:6; Eze 36:31; Jn 3:20; Ac 24:16; Ro 9:1; 2Co 1:12; 1Ti 1:5,18-19; 1Pe 3:15-16

Conscience and moral decisions 1Sa 25:30-34; 1Ch 21:6-7; Ps 37:27; Am 5:14-15; Eph 4:25-32

A natural knowledge of good and evil will not necessarily empower anyone to do good Ro 7:15-25

See also