“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV)
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Introduction
Defending the Truth, Not Attacking a Person
As an apologetics ministry, Why Jesus Apologetics is committed to defending the truth of the Bible NOT attacking personalities. When public figures, especially respected ministers of the gospel, make statements that contradict Scripture, it becomes necessary to lovingly and biblically correct such teachings.
Recently, Pastor David Ibiyeomie made a controversial claim that Adam was not expelled from Eden for eating a fruit BUT for “touching God’s tithe.” This interpretation not only misrepresents the Genesis account but also introduces an entirely foreign concept into the biblical narrative.
In this post, we will address this claim biblically, clarify what Genesis really teaches, and affirm why accuracy in handling the Word of God matters — no matter who is preaching.
What Did Pastor Ibiyeomie Say?
In a recent sermon, Pastor Ibiyeomie stated:
“The sin Adam committed that got God so angry that He kicked him out of the Garden of Eden was not eating apple. IT WAS BECAUSE HE TOUCHED HIS TITHE. If it was apple, we’ll not be eating apple today.”
First, let’s start by correcting a long-held popular myth. This isn’t directly about what Pastor Ibiyeomie said, but it’s a widespread misconception many people believe: that the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve was an “APPLE”.
The Bible never says that the forbidden fruit was an apple. The Book of Genesis simply states:
“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes… she took of its fruit and ate…”
(Genesis 3:6, ESV)
Nowhere is the fruit identified as an apple. The identification of the fruit as an “apple” is a post-biblical invention that likely arose from Latin wordplay. In Latin, malum means both “evil” and “apple,” and this pun may have contributed to the association in later European art and literature. But Scripture is silent on the fruit’s identity — because the emphasis is on the act of disobedience, not the botanical nature of the fruit.
There is no mention of the type of fruit — the idea that it was an apple is a later artistic and cultural invention, not a biblical fact.
Back to Pastor Ibiyeomie’s claim.
Was the Forbidden Tree the God’s Tithe?
Pastor Ibiyeomie claims that the forbidden tree in the garden was “God’s tithe” and that Adam was expelled for “touching” what belonged to God. While it is true that God set aside one tree and prohibited Adam from eating of it, calling it a tithe is speculative and doctrinally problematic.
Here’s why this analogy fails:
- Tithe is never mentioned in Genesis 2–3.
The concept of tithing (ma‘aser) appears much later in biblical history — in Genesis 14 (with Abraham), and formally in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21). Genesis 2:17 makes no reference to “tithe,” but simply a divine command:
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat…” (Genesis 2:17)
2. Obedience, not financial stewardship, is the theme of Eden.
God’s command in Eden was a test of trust and submission, not of offering or giving. The gravity of the sin lay in human rebellion, not in violating an economic principle.
3. False analogies distort biblical interpretation.
To read tithing back into the Garden narrative imposes a later theological framework onto an earlier text — a common interpretive error called eisegesis (reading into the text what isn’t there).
“Genesis 2–3 is not about ritual, sacrifice, or tithes, but about divine command and human failure. The sin is one of disobedience and autonomy, not misappropriation.”
What Does the Bible Say Was the Real Sin?
The Bible explains the nature of Adam and Eve’s sin — and it had everything to do with disobedience and rebellion against God’s word.
i. Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin…”
Paul clearly identifies the cause of the Fall as sin, not financial mismanagement.
ii. 1 Timothy 2:14 – “Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.”
The term “transgressor” (Greek: parabasis) refers to a willful stepping over a known boundary — again, a matter of rebellion, not tithe violation.
iii. Genesis 3:11 – God says: “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
The transgression was clear: they disobeyed a direct command.
Twisting God’s Word — A Satanic Strategy from the Beginning
Both Satan and Eve technically played a role in distorting God’s original instruction, but in different ways:
The Bible never says Adam was punished for touching the fruit. The actual sin was eating it in disobedience to God’s explicit command.
God said to Adam:
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.”
— Genesis 2:17, ESV
The serpent later twisted this command when speaking to Eve:
“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of ANY tree in the garden’?”
This is the first twist:
God never said “ANY tree” — but The tree… (a definite and particular tree) was forbidden (Genesis 2:16–17).
Satan exaggerated the restriction to cast doubt on God’s goodness and make His command seem unreasonable.
So, Satan distorted God’s word to provoke mistrust.
This is the second twist:
Eve added to God’s Command (Genesis 3:3) by mentioning “touching” (Genesis 3:3),
“God said, ‘You shall not eat it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
But God never made “touching” the issue — the command was about eating. When Eve and Adam ate the fruit, they crossed the line of disobedience.
Here, Eve adds the phrase “neither shall you touch it,” which God never said in Genesis 2:17.
Eve expanded the command, possibly out of fear or confusion, but it was still a distortion.
What Pastor Ibiyeomie has done whether knowingly or not, is not new. It is the oldest trick in the book — literally. It’s the same strategy Satan used in Genesis 3.
Let’s compare:
- God’s clear command: “You shall not eat of the tree…” (Genesis 2:17)
- Satan’s distortion: “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree’?” (Genesis 3:1)
“You shall not eat of the fruit… neither shall you touch it…” (Genesis 3:3 – Eve, now adding to God’s word)
The serpent twisted God’s Word to create confusion, then Eve added to it — saying God said not to touch it — which He never did.
Biblical Account vs. Ibiyeomie’s Teaching
| Biblical Account (Genesis 2–3) | Pastor Ibiyeomie’s Teaching |
|---|---|
| God said: “You shall not eat of the tree…” | Ibiyeomie says: “Adam was expelled for touching God’s tithe.” |
| The sin was disobedience to God’s direct command. | The sin was interfering with what belongs to God (the tithe). |
| No fruit is named; simply called “fruit” from the tree. | Implies symbolic interpretation—tree as a tithe. |
| The focus is on moral failure and rebellion. | The focus shifts to financial symbolism and ritual ownership. |
| God’s command had nothing to do with sacrifice or money. | Claims God’s instruction was about divine portion and ownership. |
| God’s Word was distorted first by Satan, then by Eve. | God’s Word is again distorted from the pulpit today. |
This same distortion is what we’re seeing again: instead of “eating the fruit in disobedience,” we’re now told Adam was punished for “touching God’s tithe.” That’s not just wrong — it’s dangerously deceptive.
To say Adam was expelled for “touching God’s tithe” is a distortion that changes both the action and the meaning of the sin. It replaces the biblical focus on obedience and moral rebellion with a fabricated economic metaphor that is nowhere in the text. This is exactly what Devil did – distort the actual Word of God to Eve.
As shown above, Pastor Ibiyeomie’s interpretation not only contradicts the plain meaning of the Genesis text but also shifts the focus from spiritual disobedience to a man-made financial allegory that has no basis in Scripture.
Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: Why It Matters
Exegesis is the faithful process of drawing out the meaning of a text based on its context, language, and original intent.
Eisegesis is when someone reads their own ideas into the text — inserting personal interpretations or modern concepts that are not actually there.
What Pastor Ibiyeomie did was import the modern concept of tithing into the Genesis narrative, despite the fact that:
- Genesis never mentions tithes in relation to the tree of knowledge,
- The historical and grammatical context of Genesis 2–3 is about obedience vs. disobedience, not economic worship,
- And there’s no biblical or theological basis for equating the forbidden tree with “God’s tithe.”
What Pastor Ibiyeomie presented is not biblical exegesis — it is eisegesis, the dangerous act of reading a personal or modern idea into the text of Scripture. Nowhere in Genesis 2 or 3 is the concept of tithing mentioned, suggested, or hinted at. The narrative is not about financial stewardship but about obedience to God’s command and the tragic consequences of human rebellion.
Using the pulpit to teach speculative theology erodes biblical authority and misleads sincere Christians. When we replace the plain meaning of Scripture with symbolic inventions, we risk confusing people and opening doors to further distortion. This is why we must always be Bereans — testing every teaching against the plain meaning of Scripture (Acts 17:11).
The Apostle Paul warned:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
We must interpret Scripture faithfully, not creatively. Innovation in preaching is not a substitute for biblical accuracy.
A Loving Warning to the Church
- Be Watchful, Discern Truth, and Stand Firm
As believers, we must be on guard against heresies, no matter who teaches them. The Bible repeatedly warns us that false teachings will arise from even within the church:
“For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3
This is not about attacking individuals. It’s about protecting the flock of Christ and defending the truth of Scripture. We urge every believer, especially members of Salvation Ministries or those who admire Pastor David Ibiyeomie — to be cautious. Do not allow sugarcoated sermons or clever reinterpretations of Scripture to lead you astray.
As Christians, we are called to test every teaching (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1), and to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Whenever someone alters God’s Word — no matter how respected they are — we must stand up and correct it in love and truth.
Do not simply accept what is preached from the pulpit — examine it carefully. If it contradicts the plain teaching of Scripture, it must be rejected, no matter how eloquent or respected the preacher may be. Rejecting false teachings is not disobedience or rebellion.
2. Don’t Run — Stand and Speak Truth in Love
We understand the pain and confusion that arises when a respected leader says something false. But don’t let that drive you away from the body of Christ. You don’t have to run from the church — you can stand tall within it. You are the Church!
Be like the faithful Bereans. Be a voice for truth. Correct with love. Confront with Scripture.
That’s why we recently published an important article titled “Church Hurt & Leadership Failure: What’s the Way Forward?”
This article gives clear biblical guidance on how to handle situations when a church leader falls into error or preaches falsely. It helps you process the tension between loyalty to your local church and loyalty to Christ’s truth.
If you’re confused, hurt, or unsure what to do when spiritual leaders mislead, this article is for you.
You can read it here: “Church Hurt & Leadership Failure: What’s the Way Forward?”
Conclusion
A Call to Biblical Integrity
We reiterate: this response is not a personal attack on Pastor Ibiyeomie. We acknowledge his influence in Nigerian Christianity, and we pray he continues to proclaim the gospel. However, as defenders of the faith, we must sound the alarm when teachings depart from Scripture.
The fall of Adam and Eve was not about touching a tithe — it was about disobeying a clear command from God. Let us return to what the Bible actually says, not what we want it to say to support our doctrines.
Let every pastor, teacher, and believer heed the call to handle the Word of God with reverence, guarding the truth for the next generation.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
At Why Jesus Apologetics, our mission is to defend the truth of God’s Word and provide biblical answers to the pressing questions of our time. But we also want to hear your voice.
- Is there a controversial topic bothering you?
- Do you have a question your church hasn’t answered clearly?
- Have you heard something in a sermon that didn’t sound right, and you want biblical clarity?
We’re here to help.
Drop your questions or topic suggestions in the comment section below — whether it’s theological, doctrinal, cultural, or personal. We will prayerfully and carefully address it in future posts, always pointing you back to Scripture and the truth in Christ.
No question is too small. No topic is off-limits — as long as it seeks truth in love and the authority of God’s Word.
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