Identifying And Overcoming Our Enemy
It’s not possible to overstate the importance of identifying and using the weapons we have to overcome our REAL enemy as we stand for the restoration of our marriages, because it is NOT our husbands or even another woman. Ephesians 6:12 makes that very clear, because it says For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So our enemy is Satan, and the sooner we realize and understand that and start acting accordingly, the sooner the Lord can and will work to restore our marriages.
Unfortunately, Satan is currently holding our husbands captive to sin, just as Paul revealed about himself in Romans 7:22-23, where he said For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. So we’re ALL susceptible to the wiles of the devil, which is why Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) tells us Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. But the awesome good news is that Jesus came to set the captives free through faith in Jesus Christ, as confirmed in Galatians 3:22-23, which says But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. And we need not think we are above being deceived and lured into sin ourselves by the devil, because 1 Peter 5:8-11 warns Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. Then the same passage in The Amplified Bible says Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it). That means the devil is ALWAYS actively and aggressively watching for ANY opportunity we give him to pounce on us, but we CAN withstand him through our faith in Jesus Christ, and the Lord will ALWAYS deliver us in time.
As so often happens, I couldn’t believe how perfectly timed Joyce Meyer’s TV broadcast message this morning was after my SOF posts for the past two days, because the reason we need to understand the importance of faith and the power of God’s word is so we’re properly equipped to overcome the warfare Satan is now waging against us, our husbands, marriages and families. And we have Jesus’ assurance in John 10:10 (AMP) that He came to give us victory over every one of the devil’s wicked intentions, because He said The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). And Luke 10:18-20, even says He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” So Jesus came to give us victory over every weapon Satan is now using to destroy our husbands, marriages and families, but it’s only through our faith in the promise we have in the word of God and our willingness to live in accordance with it, that we can realize all that Jesus came to give us. So please listen to this very important message from Joyce Meyer about Dealing with the Devil – Part I, and then put it into practice.