The woman says, “The men are to blame – they’re the culprits!” And the man says, “No, it’s the women – they’re the real problem.” The gender war…so who’s right?
In 2 Timothy 3 God describes the conditions that will exist in the “Last Days.” He says that there will be a serious decline in character—a dramatic loss of personal integrity. In verses 1 and 2 God says, “This know, also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…” And all the women say, “Amen! See, I told you – it’s the men. They’re the problem!” Well, not exactly.
You see, the word for “men” here is not the word for “male.” It’s the Greek word anthropos, from which we get our word anthropology – the study of mankind. This word means “man” in the general sense, and in the plural (as used here), it is better translated “people.”
“For people shall be lovers of their own selves.” There is no gender distinction here. We’re all guilty – men and women. We’re all lovers of our own selves, and that’s the fundamental problem in our society: selfishness!
Now it’s true that men have been real stinkers. They’ve turned away from the Lord to their own selfish pursuits. They’ve neglected their families, and taken advantage of their wives. Personal fulfillment has become their sole goal, and they have acted irresponsibly. Who can blame the women of America for reacting against that?! But then, women have turned around and done the same thing. They’ve also acted out of selfish interest and made personal fulfillment the goal of their lives.
Well, what’s the answer? I think the answer is not for women to become men, but for men to become men—for people to get their eyes back on the Lord and put away their selfishness.
Hey—the blame game never solves anything. We’re all guilty. Think about it!