The painful problem for men is primarily unknown. It is not a secret or hidden, but men and women don't know about it. It is part of God's curses or judgments on mankind after Adam and Eve sinned. 

Even worse, people do not understand that it impacts their life RIGHT NOW. These curses hurt you every day, just like they did Adam and Eve unless you follow God's perfect ways. And, the curses impact ALL men and ALL women. That means each day of their life, they don't understand the underlying foundation of their frustrations at work or in relationships.

A JUDGMENT is also on women, so God is equally just for Adam and Eve and ALL men and women. Click here to read about the "Painful Problem for Women.".

When men understand the curse in Genesis 3:17-19, they often state that it tells an accurate story about their life! That's because it is part of the consequence of the sin of Adam and Eve that has been passed along to all men.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: Cursed is the ground for your sake in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” -- Genesis 3:17-19

Below is a brief explanation of some critical details of the "painful problem for men."

The Theme

First, God tells Adam "why," then tells him "what" the judgment is. 

Second, God curses the ground, not Adam, which clearly impacts Adam. The ground now grows thorns and thistles instead of just good things. It works against Adam, and that requires more effort to produce food. Finally, sweat is a regular part of his life as he works, which was not true of his work before the sin.

Third, note that the very substance from which God made Adam, the ground, he will return to when he dies.

So, the overall theme is about work.  The ground no longer cooperates with and supports Adam; it fights against the work Adam does.

The simple paraphrase of the painful problem for men could be, "Your work will be painful and unfulfilling - and then you die."

That sounds like fun!

Of course, it isn't, but that is part of the consequence of sin! And, the painful problem for men is worse than it sounds.

You will understand how much worse once you see the connection between the judgment and the man's design. Check out course 02A - God's Design for Excellent Relationships to understand the design and the critical link. 

Heed Or Lead

God told Adam very clearly why he was judged - He listened or heeded his wife's voice. I know some of you may want to misapply God's statement. Be careful; of course, this does not mean men should not listen to their wives! And listening to your wife is not the "painful problem for men."

It means, men, that it is sin when you don't follow what God says. When you follow someone or something that isn't aligned with God, that is sin. And one of the most prominent ways men sin is to abdicate leadership in their homes.

Adam did not lead Eve; he followed her. He did not protect her; he did not take the situation to God - he just ate the fruit, just like Eve. "Heeded" or "listened" in this context means to obey or yield to. Adam obeyed and yielded to Eve, not God. That is the obvious reason Adam was judged.

Men, do you listen to God or something other than God?

Pain

The painful truth about the man's judgment is most revealing when you understand the word "toil" in Genesis 3:17. That is the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 3:16 when God talks about women's childbirth pain.

I find that interesting because it makes sense when I look at my work. While I very much enjoy what I do and love that God allows me to do it, it is nevertheless painful at times. Even when done right, the work you do falls apart and needs to be done again. Consider pulling weeds from your yard or flower bed. You can do it exceptionally well, but those weeds grow back. 

The same is true for all work. Right now, writing this blog requires toil. While I enjoy doing it, there are many more to write in the future. The work is never-ending. And there are other items that I need to "plant" and "cultivate."

The pain for both men and women last throughout their life. For women, pain with relationships, and for men, pain with work. But there is HOPE.

God has a solution. He always provides a way out, and the answer lies in following His prescription and your design. When you pay attention to God's way, the judgments are powerless. The judgments are powerless when you follow Titus 2:1-8 and Ephesians 5 & 6 and glorify God in all you do (1 Corinthians 10:31)Titus 2:1-8 and Ephesians 5 & 6 and glorify God in all you do (1 Corinthians 10:31), the judgments are powerless. But, too often, you follow your sin nature, and the judgments fuel your self-absorption and self-seeking ways.

Click here to look at the "Painful Problem for Women.". Again, it is unknown and yet impacts every woman in the world!

PURSUING THEIR BEST - Freedom in Relationships