When a man and woman stand before God and a cloud of witnesses and pledge their love to one another until death, nobody imagines their matrimony will end in divorce.
Sadly, it’s estimated up to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, so what’s happening?
Many couples are falling prey to satan’s scheme – and believing the biggest marriage lie of all time.
So just what is this destructive lie?
The lie is that marriage is all about self-satisfaction, and “being happy.”
Our modern-day culture perpetuates the lie that everything is about us – and that we should “seize the day” or “follow our own path.”
Advertisers use these slogans to convince people to “indulge” and “treat themselves” – regardless of the financial or moral complications. Of course, none of this is Biblical.
Jesus was the ultimate model – and he reminds us in Luke 9:23“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
As God reminds us, true and lasting happiness isn’t found in living for self – it is found in dying to self.
Marriage is like a mirror – it shines the light on the areas in our lives that perhaps haven’t been fully given over to God.
If we are naturally impatient – marriage can intensify our impatience when things don’t go “our way.”
Prone to anger?
A conflict in marriage can cause the guy who “thought” his temper was under control, to lose it.
But if we allow God to work in our lives and truly transform us from the inside out, marriage can be the ultimate sanctification tool, to make us more like Christ.
Our goal as Christians should never be about our own immediate happiness.
Instead, we should pray we become more like Christ, so we can fully live out His will for our lives – which includes selflessly loving our spouse.
Countless people are “listening to their hearts” – only to find that their deceitful heart has led them astray.
Love isn’t a fleeting feeling – it’s a decision to love – even when its hard. Even when you don’t “feel” like loving.
As Desiring God says:
“The deepest marital happiness comes through self-denial, humility, unselfishness, patience, kindness, and the crucifixion of our me mentality. Ultimately, the wise Christian couple pursuing a happy, God-glorifying union will model their marriage on Christ and him crucified. Jesus found joy through self-denial (Hebrews 12:2), and so will husbands and wives.”
Does this mean God wants you to be miserable? Of course not!
We aren’t talking about becoming a stoic who “denies” himself feeling any type of emotion.
Instead, it’s important to lean back on God’s Word and remember His design for marriage.
A human marriage is the closest earthly representation of Christ’s relationship with His church.
It’s a sacred covenant, meant to be kept for a lifetime.
If you are struggling in your marriage – please reach out to your Pastor or a vetted Christian counselor for help.
And remember to PRAY for your spouse!
The power of a praying spouse is something we won’t understand in this lifetime but praying for your spouse and for your marriage can do wonders in your life.
Satan is a liar, and he seeks to kill and destroy – but Jesus brings life.
Don’t fall prey to the devil’s plan to destroy your marriage – instead submit everything to God – and trust His will for your life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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