YOUR MARRIAGE: A TOOL IN THE HAND OF GOD OR THE DEVIL?
God created man in His own image and in different sexes, with different reproductive organs to achieve His purposes, one of which is procreation which should not be carried out outside marriage (Gen 1: 26-27, Gen 5:1-3: 9:6, 1 Cor 11:7, Col 3:10, James 3:9). He also gave humans the will to make choices in life which are crucial to the foundation of the divine assignment. Man was endowed with reasoning and decision making power. These great attributes portray the likeness of the image of God. With regards to procreation, either sex alone cannot single handedly perform this function. Each sex has distinct attributes and roles assigned that contribute to the realization of the assignment. Oneness is however required to achieve this aim; this oneness is established through marriage.
Therefore, marriage was designed by God to reflect the love of God for man to be in His image and to function according to His will of creating us in His image. Marriage is the most intimate human relationship that was appropriately chosen to reflect the relational aspect of divine image of God. This relationship must be nurtured and maintained for the welfare of all. Without marriage, there will be no procreation and no society. That is why a man must leave his father and mother and CLEAVE to his wife to become ONE. Gen 2:24, Eph 5:31.
The devil has decided to focus on and attack the marriage institution. He knows the importance of unity in marriage. His first attack on the human race was to bring SIN into the whole world in the Garden of Eden. He lured our first parents created in the image of God into DISOBEDIENCE and he is still in the same business till date. Right from the time of Adam and Eve, he understands the family is the primary unit of the society and he tries to bring the world down to hell through it. Unfortunately, man fell and is still falling into the pit of the devil. The very nature and character of God is to multiply life, whereas the nature and character of satan is to multiply death.
Goddesigned marriage to fulfill Six (6) important and vital functions; Companionship: True companionship grows out of oneness of spirit. This occurs in marriage when both agree and act as best of friend. Amos 3:3.:
Enjoyment: The principle behind enjoyment is self control. Marriage is honourable (precious) in all, and the bed should be kept undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Heb 13:4
Completeness: God designed Eve to complete that which was lacking in Adam’s life. And Adam said , …. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of Man Gen 2:23. Couples mostly compesate each others weaknesses and strenghts.
Fruitfulness: God’s first command in scripture is that we should be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth Gen 1:28
Protection: Husband is to protect his wife by laying down his life for her Eph 5:25. A wife is to protect the interest of her home Titus 2:4-5. Parents are to protect their children to raise up Godly seeds. Prov 22:6
Typifies Christ and the Church: Marriage is to be a human object lesson of the divine relationship between Christ and believers Eph 5:31 – 3
WEAPONS USED BY DEVIL AGAINST MARRIAGE
Poor foundation and reasoning power to decide. 1 Cor 3:11, 1 Chronicles 4:9 -10 Divorce Mark 10: 2-12, Matthew 5:31-32 Adultery Heb 13:4, 1 Cor 6:18, Prov 6:32-33
Polygamy Heb 5:31, Deut 17:17, Gen 29:30
Fornication common among unmarried youths and seen as normal, in an attempt to seek pleasures and bysatisfy the flesh
Separation of husband and wife Matthew 19:3-6, Genesis 2:24
Lack of Trust / interest
Money
Sickness
Barrenness
Lack or poor communication
EFFECTS OF MARITAL DISTRESS
Lack of Peace
Sickness
Depression
Wayward Children
Poverty
Lack of Progress
Divorce / separation
Anxiety and worry
Death
HOW TO OVERCOME MARITAL DISTRESS
All the weapons used by the devil are centered around SIN. Sin is the primary basis that devil holds on as a root weapon that gives birth to other problems in marriage. When you are genuinely saved as a child of God you have the ability to resist the devil and his devices and you will experience a wonderful peace in marriage.
The first thing is to carefully and prayerfully choose your life partner before getting married because your partner is your destiny. It means fulfilling your destiny in life lies in the choice of whom you marry. This can either make your destiny or mar it. The devil knows that this great decision greatly affects destinies and wait patiently for glorious children at this crucial stage of their lives by using the weapon of confusion and self satisfaction against the will of God to decide and choose wrongly. The devil always sets his trap in a beautiful package.
Another way out is to avoid youthful lust and will to please the flesh which always lead to SIN and its consequences. Nowadays, fornication and adultery are seen as normal societal culture and is a great weapon in the hand of the devil. The bible says we should not defile the bed and thou shall not commit adultery (Heb 13:4). God respects His words more than any other thing even if heaven and earth will pass away, His words stand.
Polygamy is a poly – pit wisely organized to destabilize and truncate so many glorious lives and destiny. The bible says man shall leave his parents and cleave to his wife and NOT his WIVES. The foundation that is built on polygamy is a faulty one. The life of Solomon and his end depicts this to a large extent. Polygamy is a powerful tool in the hand of satan and his agents. True unity which is the basis of marriage can never reign in a polygamous home.
Trust is an essential element in a relationship. A Godly home must be built on trust. Lack of trust brings disunity. When there is disunity, the devil can strike with the spirit of separation which leads to so many single parents that are alive but on their separate lives. What a pity! The purpose of God in marriage is ruined with human sinful nature. Separation gradually leads to divorce, all in the attempt to please our sinful nature or fleshly will. God hates divorce with perfect hatred but the cataract of Sin will never allow men to put God first in their decision. A God fearing home must NOT DIVORCE
Let money serve you in marriage and don’t be the husband and wife that serves money. Money is a powerful instrument used against homes. It has caused a lot separation and divorce in homes. Money must be carefully handled on the altar of prayer, trust and diligent planning supported by both partners. Transparency is the medicine that Christian homes need to solve the problems of money. May God help our home with His wisdom. Amen
Dear readers, if the foundation is destroyed, what will the righteous do? The righteous must go into the presence of God prayerfully, seeking God’s face for divine mercy and intervention in whatever bad situation his marriage is. This cannot be possible when you are an enemy of God and living in sin. Give your life to Jesus and He will repair you, your foundation, your marriage and help carry your heavy loads. It is not late now, but tomorrow may be too late. Repent and be saved now! If Jesus Christ should come now, in the twinkling of an eye, ARE YOU RAPTURABLE? Please Ponder on this. If you answer yes to this, congratulations and if not, it is not late now. It may be too late the next moment.
Surrender all to Jesus now, admit you are a sinner, confess your sins and accept you have been forgiven. Forsake your old ways and Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. You can say this prayer with me, Lord Jesus, I believe you died and rose to save me. I know I am a sinner, forgive me all my sins, write my names in the book of life and guide me to please you always in Jesus name. Amen. Attend a true bible believing church to guide and build you up spiritually. May the Lord uphold you. Amen