Why Men Are Always Wrong

There is a standing joke that goes: If a man who is standing all alone in a forest with no woman around, speaks, is he still wrong? This is a rhetorical question with the anticipated answer being “Yes.” However, I have heard more than one woman speak up and answer, “Of course!”

Have you ever wondered why this is? Is this merely an attitude? Is this merely a clash between the genders?

Why are men always wrong?

The answer is really very simple: Because we are.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Romans 5:12)

It is true. Because of one man’s refusal to act like a man, no man would ever be right again. Because of one man choosing to listen to the voice of a woman rather than standing on what he had already been told is right, everything would be wrong from then on.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:17-19)

God has declared that it is true. Men are always wrong. What man can argue against it? No man can ever stand alone and not be wrong.

No man except one.

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:18-21)

Apart from Christ, no man is ever right. Apart from Christ, no man can ever expect to speak and be heard. It is only when we men remember our place that we dare to speak. It is only when our words repeat the words of Christ that we are able to stand without shrinking back.

When men speak as they are meant to speak, their women do hear them, at least if their women are also truly in Christ. After all, when men remember their place and speak only what God has given them to speak, why would anyone who is of God turn aside? For God is love. His Word proclaims His grace.

When a man is in Christ and walks according to spirit rather than according to flesh, he speaks faithfully and lovingly, even as Christ does with His bride, the Church. Then a man is patient and continues seeking only what is good. Then a man continues gently pressing what is right until what is right is received and heard. This means that the man does not press for his own will to be heard and done, but the will of the One who is Love. This means that the man always counts others as more important than himself and seeks the good of others before seeking his own good. This is the way of love.

Do you suppose that this could be a good theme for Valentine’s Day? I expect that St. Valentine would think so. This is the way that God has pronounced to be good. And He is never wrong.

Happy Valentine’s Day!