A woman said, "That design of men and women is interesting, but I don't fit the design you are talking about. I often act very different from the design you talk about."

Louie and I have heard that many times from both men and women. Does that mean the biblical designs are wrong? Of course not. Just because I have a design does not mean that the design will be properly utilized. For example, have you ever used a standard kitchen knife as a screwdriver? It can be used that way, but the design is less functional than when the knife is used to spread jelly or butter on some bread.

The judgments God issued for men and women in Genesis 3:16-19 can create confusion about God's design. That means we need to understand the judgments since they are directly related to the designs. Most importantly, the judgments will create the thinking that you don't fit the design shown in Genesis.

The Judgment for Women

If you want to understand something it is helpful to understand the “big picture” as well as the details. You will miss why they are so powerful if you do not see the theme of the judgments or curses.

Remember the context of the judgment for women? The serpent had a conversation with Eve, then…

“…the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took the fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” – Genesis 3:6

Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, they saw they were naked, sewed fig leaf clothing, and then tried to hide from God when He came to walk with them in the garden. When confronted by God, they tried to blame everyone but themselves, which led to the judgments – first to the Serpent, then Eve, then Adam. In GR8 Relationships, we only analyze the judgment of women and men.

So, the serpent’s curse is not covered in this material, which brings us to God dealing with Eve or woman. This verse contains the reason that you might believe you don't fit the design.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” – Genesis 3:16

Three Elements of the Judgment

The theme reveals itself through the three key elements of the judgment. The first two phrases are about children, and the next two are about the husband.

With only that little clue of information, can you see the theme?

You are correct! It is about relationships or how relationships will go for women, primarily in the family. The impact is not only on the family but also on relationships in general, especially man-woman relationships that a woman has.

The Judgment and Design Connection

Now why is this judgment so penetratingly perfect? Do you remember how a woman is designed? The one word to remember about the design of a woman is…

RELATIONAL

Notice how bad this judgment is! God designed a woman to be relational, but this judgment now makes it difficult to fulfill her relational design. So, it will be easy for a woman to say, "I don't fit the design you are talking about."

Ladies, you experience this daily if you are not doing what God asks. There is a solution by God’s extraordinary grace, but if you operate on AUTO-PILOT, your sin nature drives you to live in your judgment.