The Two Trees: A Choice Between Life and Death

Since the beginning of time, humanity has been caught in a battle between two opposing principles: virtue and vice. In the book of Genesis, chapter 2, we find the story of two trees—the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God gave mankind, both male and female, free access to the Tree of Life, with one condition: they were to avoid the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The Bible does not specify how long humanity adhered to this directive. For all we know, it could have been thousands of years. What we do know is that during this time, mankind enjoyed an intimate relationship with both God and one another.

The Fall: When Vice Entered the World

Genesis 3 recounts how this harmony was shattered. Tempted by Satan, mankind chose to disobey God and partake of the forbidden tree. This act severed their relationship with God and disrupted their unity with each other. Once unashamed in their nakedness (Genesis 2:25), they suddenly felt exposed and covered themselves with foliage (Genesis 3:7). Symbolically, humanity continues to do this today—hiding behind facades rather than embracing truth and virtue.

Virtue, which represents a commitment to moral excellence and truth, is the fruit of the Tree of Life. In contrast, vice—a life of moral depravity and deceit—is the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. One leads to life; the other, to death.

Why death? Because when we reject divine moral guidance and create our own standards of right and wrong, we elevate ourselves above God, effectively making ourselves gods. This is a dangerous and ultimately futile position, given that God is immortal, while we are not.

The Modern Battle: Virtue vs. Depravity

This ancient struggle between virtue and vice remains central to our lives today. Alarmingly, it seems that vice is gaining the upper hand. Many of our political, social, commercial, and industrial leaders have, in essence, made deals with the devil.

Whether it is supporting the murder of innocent unborn children, accepting millions from lobbyists to sway votes, or persecuting and imprisoning those who expose corruption, they have abandoned virtue. In doing so, they have forsaken the very principles that lead to prosperity, freedom, and justice for all. Humanity has sought to become its own god, yet we are not God. And in the wake of this rebellion, death follows—not just physical death, but the death of dreams, true community, prosperity, joy, and freedom.

The Case for Virtue in Leadership

During my research for my Master of Arts in Leadership degree, I discovered a striking pattern: the most sustainable organizations and successful leaders typically function best when they uphold biblical principles of virtue.

Of course, there are many financially prosperous organizations and individuals who reject virtue. However, over time, these entities crumble, and their downfall is rarely mourned. We need only think of some of our most recently disgraced and deposed world leaders.

The Path Forward: A Return to Virtue

What, then, is the solution to this age-old problem? Thankfully, God offers second chances. When we change our minds and our ways—turning from vice to virtue, from our standards to His—we can find restoration.

But what is virtue? While no single comprehensive list exists, the Bible provides a powerful guide in Galatians 5:22-26, where nine classic virtues are listed as the “fruit of the Spirit.” These virtues—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are given to us through the Spirit of God when we turn back to Him.

With His guidance, we can walk in righteousness, resist the lure of moral depravity, and win the battle of virtue over vice.