CONSEQUENCES OF SIN IN MARRIAGE AND CHILDBEARING

Eve was the one who was deceived by Satan and influenced her husband to sin. As a result, God judged her with these words, "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you" (Genesis 3:16, NLT). From now on, Eve's childbearing will be painful. From pregnancy to childbirth, there will be both physical and emotional pain, which could include fears during pregnancy because of the possibility of death and sickness. Before sinning, God instructed Adam and Eve to multiply and fill the earth through childbearing without pain and suffering. After sinning, Eve would experience suffering in childbearing, and this consequence would affect all women after her. Eve's sin would also affect her relationship with her husband. Before I explain the next part of Genesis 3:16, I want to point out that I used the New Living Translation (NLT) because it interprets the Hebrew original language better than the New International Version (NIV). The NLT translated the second part of the verse as "And you will control your husband, but he will rule over you," whereas the NIV translated it as "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." 

The other consequence of Eve's sin is the power struggle within the marriage relationship. Eve's desire would want to control her husband according to her desire by usurping the authority that God has given to her husband, Adam. It is similar to how she influenced her husband to eat the forbidden fruit. As a result, Adam would exercise his leadership authority by ruling or dominating her influence over him. Their marriage relationship will struggle because of a power struggle. All marriages today have the same struggle in this area. The wives could use their leverage to control their husbands, and husbands would lead their wives through their dominance. Fear, mistrust, and resentment fill the relationship between the husband's and wife's roles in marriage. God then gave us the solution to this problem in Ephesians 5:33. It says, "So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." 

The pain and suffering in childbirth and the problems in marriage are the result of sin. Many people blame God for all the sufferings in this world, but they do not understand that all sufferings are the result of disobedience against the commandments of God. God knows what is best for us, and we must follow His ways if we want to have a good life. Living in sin is not worth it, as it brings heartache and suffering. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is the reason for the suffering of childbearing and the power struggle in marriage? What is God's solution to the power struggle in marriage? How should I live my life according to today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for helping me understand that suffering is a result of disobedience against you. Please help me to listen and obey your instructions, for it is only your ways that can lead me to life, peace, and joy. Please give me the courage and strength to change, do what is right before you, and repent from my sinful ways so that I can live according to your ways. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.