MANSPLAINING AND OTHER TEMPTATIONS

WOMEN FACE

Beth Johnson

In an article by Mark Peters, from Behind the Dictionary, October 29, 2013, we learn that our dictionaries now have another new word.  It is called “mansplaining.”  Mansplaining is defined as “a fella explaining something, unnecessarily and often incorrectly, with oodles of condescension.”  This attitude is as old as relationships between men and women. The word itself has been around since about 2009, but it’s blossomed since, providing a potent weapon in worldly women’s arsenal against overbearing dudes. I am told the word is here to stay.

Who has not been the victim of such ignorant condescension, whether from a husband, a boss or even a sibling?  Does this attitude only come from the male gender?  Even if males were the only one to behave this way, would that change a woman’s position in the home or in the church?

God’s direction about women’s subjection is not about the value or intelligence of the genders; it is simply about function.  The chain of command in 1 Corinthians 11:3—But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God, gives nothing that even indicates man is more valuable than woman.

How should one answer the sisters who like to complain about the faults of their men folk? The first and most obvious question is: Are all men like that? Even if they were, would that give ladies a right to disobey the command for women to honor their men as head? Admittedly, some men’s faults are more apparent and they can be difficult to get along with. But do all women behave perfectly every time? Does poor behavior on the man’s part change the woman’s position in any way? What can she do? What should she do? How can she overcome her own temptation to sin when she is faced with such a situation? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

What traits in husbands tend to make wives grow weary in a marriage, and how can these things be overcome by hope?  Marriage isn’t easy. Husbands aren’t flawless, and neither are wives.  A wife can’t “fix” a husband, but she can sure work on herself.  No matter what the earthly result of a marriage might be, wives can have great hope for reaping eternal good, if they follow God’s commands for the marriage. Her relationship to her husband can give her experience to be: faithful, obedient, temperate, selfless, and more. Look at some things that tend to make wives grow weary in their marriages—especially when relationships are not easy.

• ·       What if the husband does not love wife as his own body (Eph. 5:28-29)?
• ·       What if the husband does not forgive mistakes (Matt. 18:35)?
• ·       What happens when the husband carries a grudge (Eph. 4:26)?
• ·       Does the husband take vengeance or get even (Rom. 12:19-21)?
• ·       What can the wife do if her husband uses threats and hatred to control (1 Pet. 5:3)?
• ·       Obviously some husbands are untoward (wicked) masters (Eph. 6:9).

Wives must remember that someone else’s sin does not give them license to do the same thing or worse.  We must serve our mates as if we were serving Christ (1 Cor. 7:23). “For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? (1 Cor. 7:16). Probably the strongest hope women have in situations described above comes from 1 Peter 3:1-2.  “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.”

It is not easy to remember we are supposed to serve Christ and not man (Eph. 6:5-8). Are we women really working for the Lord (Rom. 14:6-9)? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).