Men Are Not From Mars and Women Are Not From Venus (Part One)

What if Men are not from Mars and Women are not from Venus?  Exploring the notion that we are, indeed, from the same planet… I remember reading the phenomenal # 1 New York Times bestseller, Men Are From Mars, Women Are from Venus, by John Gray, Ph.D.  Published in 1992, this book is regarded as the seminal work on communication and relationships between the sexes. However, a subtitle on the front cover reveals a rather self-centered recurrent theme found throughout the book. “Improving communication and getting what you want in relationships,” pretty much sums up Dr. Gray’s attitude toward the “differences” between men and women. Whatever it takes, one should always strive to “get what they want.” Let’s examine the possibility that men and women may have a whole lot more in common than Gray suggests and more could be “gained” by having a servant’s heart in relationships. We begin our journey by examining a portion of scripture found in Genesis 1:26. “And, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” KJV Or, in another translation, “God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature.”  The Message These words are filled with a keen spiritual depth as exemplified by the careful choice of pronouns. Us:  God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit made the corporate decision to make man. Jesus may have spoken all things into existence, but the Trinity indisputably played a major role in the planning and creation process. Our:  Once again, this pronoun reiterates a threefold work in the creation of mankind. Genesis 1:27 takes us a step further. “Let us make man in our image.  So, male and female, He created them.” A shallow review of this verse may lead the reader to believe that this reference is to two entirely separate beings, male and female. But, the chronology of events comes unraveled, if this position is embraced. Perhaps, this “conclusion” is erroneous? When Adam was formed from the dust of the earth and the Spirit of the living God was breathed into his lungs, his nature was both male and female, as he was created in the “image” of God.  Man was thus born with masculine and feminine genes and chromosomes, as science has discovered. Genetically, Adam had male and female traits and qualities.  “Male and female, He created (him).” At this juncture, I think we need to define a few terms that are very relevant to this discussion. Watchman Nee, author of The Spiritual Man, explains how man reflects the very nature of God: spirit, soul, and body.  “Sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete.”     1 Thessalonians 5:23 The spirit is the very heart of an individual, the deepest, innermost part.  It is the center of a person’s will.  Only two “choices” can be made from the spirit: will or won’t, can or can’t, yes or no. Situational ethics does not find a home in a person’s spirit. Not to be confused with the soul, which is the seat of the intellect and the emotions, man can truly worship God in spirit and in truth.  And, the entrance to the heart should be guarded with extreme vigilance.  Proverbs 4:23 The physical body is the tangible vehicle in which the spirit and the soul reside.  According to Nee, the spirit, soul, and body must be in perfect harmony with one another with the body subject to the soul, and the soul subject to the spirit. Make note of the fact that we still do not have a woman named “Eve” in our picture, but a merciful God saw that Adam was alone and needed a partner, a helpmeet. This situation was about to be addressed. Adam was put into a deep sleep by the world’s first anesthesiologist and a rib was removed from his body. I love to imagine Adam upon awakening to find a naked “female” figure lying beside him, indescribably beautiful, awesome beauty beyond description.  Tongue-tied, Adam may have just been able to barely utter, “Whoa, Man!?” “Woman” had shown up in Adam’s life as a further manifestation of God’s love.  She was real.  She was there.  Adam had to be overwhelmed, but filled with joy. They were naked and unashamed, living and fellowshipping with Creator God, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  They lived in the perfect environment, at peace with each other, all of the earth’s creatures, and nature. “Male and female, He created them.” Each of them was made in the image of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with masculine and feminine traits and characteristics. And, neither man nor woman was from Mars or Venus.