If You Don’t Guard Your Marriage, You Will Lose It
I love the book of Ephesians because, in it, the Apostle Paul tells the church at Ephesus about this wonderful life we now have with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.
That at one time, we were once alienated from God; but now the vile is torn because Jesus Christ died, was buried, and resurrected on the third day!
Because of this resurrection power, we now have life and life more abundantly!
Apostle Paul also lets us know that there is one that’s not so happy with this new life we have in Christ, and his name is Satan.
For Satan seeks to steal, kill and destroy, and one of the ways he attempts to do this is through your marriage.
See, this post is my testimony about how I overcame some of the wiles (deceits, schemes) of the enemy, that was meant to tear my marriage apart.
The reason why I say, “tear us apart,” is because the Bible says that when a man is joined with his wife, the two becomes one flesh. So, If the enemy can separate man and wife, he is literally tearing you in half.
Ah, but how many of you know that we serve the living God. One who says He would never leave you nor forsake you. One who says He has already overcome the world, all you must do is live from victory, not for victory, AMEN!
The Enemy’s Attack Plan
Men, there might have been a time in your lives where the enemy trick you into thinking you have failed. Failed as a husband, failed as a father because you were listening to the voice of the enemy in your head telling you of all the things we were doing wrong in your marriage.
Reminding you that you do not spend enough time with your wife, so that’s probably the reason she doesn’t love you anymore. Suggesting to you and that you’re not being that Godly example in your homes, so that’s why your children are acting, they have lost their minds.
Then if you’re like me, you start trying to fight a spiritual battle with physical people.
It says in Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (spiritual realm).
Sometimes the person we hurt the most, is the one sent to help us the most. Click To Tweet
Sometimes the person we hurt the most, is the one sent to help us the most.
My wife and I would argue so much that we would argue how to we should argue. It could be something simple like the toilet seat.
She might ask “why didn’t you leave the toilet seat down?”.
I might answer like “why didn’t you leave it up?”
(Testimony Alert: I have since learned my lesson that it’s not a good feeling if you go to use the bathroom in a hurry and you feel your butt touch that toilet water, toilet seat down, check ☑)
Our discussions turned to turned to disagreements, and then to arguments. In which I would then become verbally abusive. Which eventually that led to my wife saying she had enough.
We talk about separating. About who was going to the kids, even who was going to get the big screen T.V. But how many know that God always has a ram in the bush.
The Counterattack (and the gear we need)
I needed Jesus to show me how guard my marriage because I was losing it on my own.
As I studied His word, I learned about six pieces of armor, that when applied, helped save my marriage and my life.
The first one is the belt of truth.
Eph 6:14 says to “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.”
What is truth? Truth is simply God’s view of the matter.
Whatever situation you’re in, and you are wondering what is true, go to God’s word to see what it says about the matter. Married couples cannot afford to disagree with what the bible says is true. #thetruthshallsetyoufree
The second is the breastplate.
Eph 6:14 “having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”
The breastplate covers the vital organs like the heart. If we put on the righteousness of God, then we cannot be found guilty by the accuser of the brethren (Satan). God wants us to guard our heart against the little foxes (little white lies, past mistakes, feelings of guilt) that will try to spoil your witness. #ImnotprefectbutIknowwhois
The third principle is peace.
Eph 6:15 says to “shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
The preparation of the gospel of peace means that God had already prepared peace in the storm before it even arrived. Not saying that the storms wouldn’t come (kids sneaking out the house, bill mounting up, the husband decided he doesn’t want to go to church anymore, the wife decides she doesn’t want to be intimate anymore). God simply is saying that He has already seen this situation coming and he has equipped you with the peace to handle it. #peaceduringthestorm
The next three pieces of the armor, we are to pick up as needed.
The fourth principle is faith.
Eph 6:16 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
We all have a measure of faith (Rom 12:3). The KJV version of the bible says that God has given everyone “The measure of faith.” But for those times when you feel that your faith might not be enough (which it is, by the way), God says that He will let you borrow His. #myshieldisbiggerthanyours
Next, we have the helmet.
Eph 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation.”
The helmet protects the head which also protects the mind. Your mind is where the enemy will try to distort your thinking about God and yourself. We basically can’t afford to have a though about us that God doesn’t think about us. #amindisaterriblethingtowaste
The last but certainly not least is the Word!
Eph 6:17 “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Remember
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:35, 38-39) AMEN!
Question: What, if any, is trying to attack your marriage?
Feel free to leave your answer below in the comment section of the blog. I will use the most common responses and develop them into future blog posts to help others.
Here’s the LINK to leave a comment
