Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Thus, by touching and eating of it, our first parents stole the fruit, and since stealing is the byproduct of covetousness, they broke two commandments, and killed two birds with one stone, as it were. The laws of God are always broken in pairs with the sin of covetousness being the foundation, and then satellite sins such as adultery, killing, or stealing, but one thing is certain, all roads lead to covetousness.
Later on they lied about it when approached by God and therefore, the eating of the fruit, and their lying about doing so were satellite strands of the basic sin of covetousness, which manifested itself in the word and deed. And ever since that unfortunate day, the human race has been torn between our allegiance to God, or to the serpent.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 54] By partaking of this tree, he declared, they would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge. He himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and as a result had acquired the power of speech. And he insinuated that the Lord jealously desired to withhold it from them, lest they should be exalted to equality with Himself. It was because of its wonderful properties, imparting wisdom and power, that He had prohibited them from tasting or even touching it.
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!