 | ||||||
                       [?] Subscribe To This Site
|
Sadly, 50% of couples are divorcing. Add to that number those who are separating and not reconciling and the number soars to 66%. Additionally, research shows only 25% of couples are truly happy. With numbers like these, We can't deny that couples are in a serious battle for their marriages. It's been reported that the numbers for this research apply equally to those within the visible church of Jesus Christ as they do to those outside of the church. This tells us some thing is terribly wrong. Would you agree? I mean, it just doesn't make sense that people who have the spirit of Christ in them would be experiencing the same patterns of divorce and other marriage problems as those in the world do. Though this article is not intended to explore the various reasons that might explain this pattern, we can't ignore this condundrum. Therefore, first piece of marriage advice I can give you is this: If you and your spouse are on a destructive marriage path then the most important thing to do is to take inventory of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul says it like this, "Examine yourself to see if you are really in the faith." Beyond, testing yourself to see if you are in the faith, there are 5 core Biblically based marriage advice principles that are important to grasp. Understanding and applying these principles can help you have a great marriage that satisfies you and glorifies God. 1. Your struggle is not against flesh and blood. Okay, you've read it. Now I want you to say it, out loud. Yes, right now, say it. Come on, this is important! "My struggle in my marriage is not against flesh and blood." Now, I'll explain this in more detail, but it is critical that you remember this principle. And remind yourself often (say it out loud!) This principle is so important because... It is so easy to start seeing your spouse as the enemy. We start fighting against each other instead of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Like little lost sheep we tend to lose our focus very quickly. Like Peter, once we lose our focus and take our eyes off Jesus, we start to sink. Again, this isn't just marriage advice, this is truth that the Christian must learn to live by. "Okay" you say, "so if our battle is not against flesh and blood, what or who is it against? 2. You must recognize Satan's Strategy. The second marriage advice principle comes from Ephesians 6:12 which states "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." In general our enemy is not our spouse it is the spiritual forces of evil commanded by Satan. Let's take a look at how this all started... Satan from the beginning, has had his hand in destroying marriages by causing conflict. What kind of conflict do you think erupted after Eve and Adam ate the fruit and were banned by God from the garden? Can you imagine some of the choice words they might have had with each other?
Sound familiar? The point is this -- As I said above, Satan destroys marriages by causing conflict. That combined with our own selfish natures (we prefer to blame rather than take responsibility) results in many marriage battles. Just remember, marriage problems are a consequence of the fall. So my marriage advice to you is remember that you are in a battle and that Satan is always trying to arouse conflict in your marriage. There are 3 more Christian Marriage Advice principles that Christian couples should understand. Sign-up for Christian Counseling Connection Newsletter Return from Marriage Advice to Home Copyright 2004-2011 Christian-Counseling-Online.com | |||||
