What is our defense against this evil onslaught aimed at our marriages?
When Jesus died on the cross, and was raised from dead three days later, and then He ascended back into heaven, the authority and power of the devil were utterly and completely destroyed. But the devil has become quite a poker player, always seeking to bluff us into believing his lies and deceptions. However, all we have to do is call his bluff. So, from the human perspective, we must take our stand for God and against the Enemy.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Our greatest defense in this spiritual warfare is merely "to resist," that is, to call his bluff! "Resist"! But specifically, how do we do this in our marriages? You put on the full armor of God on.
Ephesians 6:14-18
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
How do we daily put on each of these vital pieces of armor in our marriages?
1. First, we must gird our loins with truth. No marriage can survive the daily onslaught without putting on the belt that holds all of the other pieces of armor in place. Truth is our marital integrity and faithfulness. Our commitments to God and our mates, reflected in our marriage vows, gives us the freedom to overcome the evil one.
2. Then we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. This is the sanctifying righteousness or holiness that we are to practice in our marriage on a daily basis. Without it our hearts and lives are vulnerable to the worst attacks of the enemy.
3. Then we must fit our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. This refers to the stability and peace that our marriage gains from a correct understanding and sharing of the good news of the gospel. Peace reigns in a Christian marriage when we commit ourselves to knowing and sharing the gospel.
4. Then we are to take up the shield of faith. When a marriage is built on a faith-based relationship rather than a performance-based relationship, the flaming arrows of the enemy are quickly snuffed out. By accepting my mate by faith as God's perfect provision for my life, I free her or him up to become all that God desires her or him to become. Then, and only then, do we remain untouched by the arrows of insecurity and affliction.
5. Then we are to put on the helmet of salvation. When a couple knows and embraces both the present security of their salvation and the future hope of their final deliverance, then they will be protected from all of the assaults against their minds and wills. It is the Lord's protection from all of the devil's mind games.
6. And then we are to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon that we have for our marriage is God's Word. When a couple memorizes, proclaims, and applies the Word of God against specific attacks on their marriage, the enemy is slashed to pieces and must flee the field of battle, wounded, and defeated.
And finally, we must bring all the armor to bear against the enemy with a life of committed prayer-praying together! For our marriages to be victorious in spiritual warfare, we must commit ourselves to persistent and corporate prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit. Without this kind of committed prayer, all of the rest of the pieces of armor will fall to the ground, leaving us vulnerable to attack and utter defeat. This is where most Christian couples lose the battle! A prayer-less marriage is a powerless marriage. And a powerless marriage is a winless marriage.
God Bless, Israel
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