Have you ever wondered why men do what they do to women? Come with me on an imaginary trip to the house of the first couple, Adam and Eve, after the fall and witness the devastation of sin on marriage (Genesis 3:1-19).

Adam:

Eve, darling, why didn’t you say, ‘no’ to the serpent when he told you it was okay to eat the fruit from that tree? You know God had forbidden us from doing that.

Eve:

I couldn’t, dear. The serpent got me to believe that God was hiding something wonderful and exciting from us – something that would make us like God Himself. That’s what caused me to give the tree a second look, and boy, did its fruits look good? Right then, a desire for it surged in me with such intensity that I couldn’t resist it.

Adam:

That was wrong, darling. God was emphatic when He said we would surely die the day we ate of that tree (Gen 2:17). He gave us everything in this Garden except the fruit from that tree. And now look at us. We lost it all.

Eve:

But, sweetheart, you should have said something when I asked you to take a bite, not now. Remember, you are the man, and I would never have disobeyed you. So, don’t blame me, dear! We are all at fault.

Adam: (Getting angry, a feeling he had never had before)

Fantastic! Now you turn it on me. It’s my fault, isn’t it? How could I resist you? You know. I love you, and I can never say ‘no’ to you. So don’t blame me for what you have brought on us. Remember, you provide the food; I eat.

Eve: (Also getting angry now)

No! You provide the food. I just cook and set the table for you. You should have questioned the source before eating it. And don’t forget, sweetie, God put you in charge, not me. My job is to support you.

Adam:

Great! Now you remind me of my role. I take note, and I will see to it that I am in charge and all you have to do is to support. From this day, you will do whatever I tell you to do. Are we clear on that?

Eve:

Fine! But you make sure you provide enough for the home, or…

Adam:

Stop it right there, woman! You have caused so much damage already. God is so angry; He has cursed the ground for my sake. So, don’t you lecture me on adequate provision for the home! O, now I see. This is all about getting rid of me through my hard toil so that you can have it all, isn’t it?

Eve:

Stop it, Adam! Don’t make it worse than it is for me. You brought this on yourself, not me. Next time God speaks… (Wham!)

Adam:

Don’t you lecture me woman! You don’t speak until I say so, period!

Adam stormed out of the house. He began to spend less time home with Eve and the bullying and suppression became worse each day. Does that sound familiar?

               It’s the same wrong mentality men use to abuse women over the years.

In response, women are up in arms to assert themselves for equality.

This struggle between right and wrong is the reason for the birth of Christ. Jesus came to die for our sin and restore us to God. The conflict between husbands and wives must be resolved in Him. Our enemy is not us. It’s Satan and his kingdom of demonic forces (Eph. 6:10-18).

               So, let’s stop this blame game and put on the whole armor of God to fight the real enemy with the spiritual weapons of love, mutual submission and respect for one another (Eph. 5: 22-33; 1 Pt. 3:1-7). It’s the only way to restore the sanctity of our marriages.