Those contradictions may only be misinterpreted... maybe it's God telling you NOT TO TAKE THAT STUFF TOO LITERALLY. It's more of a metaphor then anything.

The snake in the tree of knowlage tells only lies... follow your heart and not your mind. I'm reading The Tree Of Knowlage by Don Miguel Ruiz and it's pretty interesting... it explains how one builds up their ego or "The Tree Of Knowlage" from when they start speaking a language. Not right away but shortly after they start believing in their own dream world, and see and feel only what they want to in their minds. Very interesting stuff.