Adam and Eve’s act of disobedience in Eden distorted humanity’s reflection of God’s image, and negatively impacted every aspect of their lives. That distortion had its effect on marriage, both theirs and every marriage thereafter. Self-interest and self-justification prevailed where perfect love and unity once reigned. JTL14 4.6
Both Adam and Eve had enjoyed face-to-face communication with God; after their sin they fearfully hid from God, attempting to conceal the truth about themselves and engaging in accusations and rationalization about their sin. When couples today accuse one another while justifying their own behavior, they are partaking in Adam and Eve’s rebellion and disobedience. JTL14 4.7
After sin, God told the woman, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Genesis 3:16). Although God intended the submission of the wife to the husband (which did not change the basic equality of man and woman) to be a blessing in the post-Edenic world, it quickly distorted into dominance of men over women through abuse of power, manipulation, and destruction of individuality. JTL14 4.8
Today, Christian married couples seek to restore God’s ideal of mutual submission as far as possible, to better reflect the image of the Godhead in marriage. The essence of Christianity is to live in the self-denying harmony that characterized marriage before the fall. Both husband and wife will seek to contribute to the other’s happiness and joy, with neither losing his or her individuality. JTL14 4.9