Satan knows that God created marriage as a beautiful, living picture of Christ and the Church. God designed both marriage and the family for our benefit. Satan knows the value of the family, how it is the fabric of a good solid society, the foundation of vibrant growing assemblies, and the future of God’s work on earth. If Satan can be successful in tearing down the structure and substance of the family unit, then he will be successful in damaging what is dear to God’s heart.
Let’s not forget about Satan’s initial attack on the family occurred in Eden where the old serpent worked his evil deception and destroyed the harmony of the first marriage/family (Gen 3). In listening to Satan and disobeying God, Eve and Adam plunged themselves, and all subsequent families, into slavery in the “kingdom of darkness.” Satan’s attack on the family has continued until today. There are signs of it all around us. With the increasing rate of divorce, the acceptance of common-law relationships, the barrage of Hollywood immorality, and the legalization of same gender marriages, we can see how successful Satan has been in twisting and perverting God’s best for us and depriving us of the blessings that God ordain marriages brings to the family.
It’s pretty obvious these malicious attacks is a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12 says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood”, but we need flesh and blood for the war against the devil. No family feud is only relational; there is always more going on than meets the eyes. Eve’s disobedience and Adam’s passivity may have appeared as just as a flesh-and-blood issue but as mentioned above we know who was deceptively working behind the scenes. The counsel of Job’s wife, as the waves of trials swept over them, may have seemed simply like the words of a troubled soul (Job 2:9). But the author of Job lifts the curtains and shows us that behind those words lay an evil force. Job’s battle was not against flesh and blood; it too was spiritual.
When the enemy goes hard after your family you’ll notice:
*Anger, resentment, and bitterness
*Unforgiveness
*A block against clear communication (misunderstandings, silent treatments, yelling, etc.)
*A lack of joy and peace in the home
Undoubtedly, the enemy hates those God has fearfully and wonderfully made, and he wants to see every image-bearer destroyed. So what’s the solution—how do we fight in this war? With the weapons God has given us: the armor of God (including prayer,
worship, praise, and God’s Word) and the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:13-18 says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
My brothers and sisters, I want to remind each of you to be strong in the Lord and take heart as you fight for your families—we know how the story ends! Christ is victorious, and those who have trusted in Him will dwell with Him for eternity. Hallelujah, thank You Jesus, and Praise be unto God!
4GIVEN 