Cosmic Powers Of This Present Darkness

The other day Daddy and I were talking with some friends who were sharing about their communication problems in their marriage. Both where assuming things about the other. Both were perceiving comments the other had made negatively. Both made finite decisions about the other based on those perceptions and assumptions. And what was frustrating was that neither one was correct in their assumptions or perceptions and both were frustrated with their spouse. It was a sad circle of miscommunication and misunderstanding. Both needed to step back and look at the situations from two different viewpoints: from their spouse's side ... and Satan's.

That last bit may be creepy, but that doesn't make it any less true. See we are warned in Scripture that "our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12). What Paul was writing the Ephesians was that Satan and his minions are working overtime to cause havoc, misunderstanding, paranoia, anger and frustration. And one of Satan's greatest battlegrounds is marriage. What better way to disillusion people on the relationship between Christ and the church than through the dissolution of marriages? He is searching for every opportunity to get couples to nitpick at each other, demean and be selfish. When we look at it from the perspective that Satan is working on us, we can wisely ask ourselves what lies we are believing that he's pushing today.

My dear children, please understand that you are at war. When you wake up on the morning, Satan is immediately at work looking for ways to defeat you. Lifehouse's Everything Skit is a wonderful visual of this. Thankfully we know God is on our side, we have the Word as our sword and the Holy Spirit to give us discernment.

So when you get into arguments or do not understand where your future spouse is coming from, go to God and ask Him. Look at the situation from their standpoint. Ask yourself if there are forces at play to get you to forget to Whom you belong and who you love. It may be tough to remember to do this, but know that Satan is counting on you forgetting.

Remember, the battle is every day. Every. Single. Day. Learn the Word of God. Memorize it. Recite it. Pray often. Be battle ready. And know that an army of angels is ready and waiting to help. And may the victory and glory be God's.

Discussion: How does knowing there are spiritual forces at work desiring to destroy your relationship give you a different perspective on arguments? How can you prepare for and prevent these situations?

Prayer: We are grateful, Father, that you have promised us this weapon in the Word and pray we learn to wield it. Father, give us insight through your Holy Spirit to know when we are dealing with spiritual forces and not just each other. Give us grace, the power to forgive, wisdom and much love towards one another. In Jesus, Amen.