Marriage is under attack like never before, and I’m not even talking about from the homosexual community. I’m simply talking about marriage inside the church is under attack.
The devil knows if he can get Christian marriages off course and get couples distracted by petty arguments and fights then he can veer them off course from their main objective. The main objective for a Christian couple is to model Jesus Christ to the lost world around them and to others in their circle of influence. Jesus created marriage as a picture of His love for the Church. So our marriages should reflect a bigger message. What are some ways that we as Christians can stay focused on that bigger message?
1. Be aware of the attacks as they come. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
A solider stays on alert. He will never let his guard down. Why? Because he knows the second he does, the enemy will pounce. There is no difference in the Christian world. Our enemy is always looking for weakness so that he can pounce and devour. Stay alert! Be on guard! Especially in your marriage.
2. Be on mission together. “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil 1:27).
We need husbands and wives who have a Gospel-centered mindset together. They both need to be of “one mind striving side-by-side for the faith of the Gospel.” Couples who are viewing their calling as a couple who belong to Jesus fight MUCH less because they are both focused on the mission of getting the Gospel of Jesus Christ out to the world. You see, they don’t have time to focus on each other flaws because they are busy being on a gospel-centered mission.
3. Be committed to local church together. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).
Historically, if you look at couples that have strong ties to a local church and are committed to a particular church, their marriages are stronger. They are a part of a community that brings real community and accountability, as well as fellowship with other believers who are on the same mission.
Couples who are not very committed to a biblical community lack depth and actual meaning in their relationship. And sadly, what happens many times is that each person in the marriage starts to put their energy and focus on things that really don’t matter in terms of eternity. Which will in turn bring a lot of frustration in the marriage. I know that we are all humans, and that sometimes we sin and mess up. But this is where GRACE has to be active in our lives. We need to be willing to give and accept grace as husbands and wives. When we fail, be quick to ask for forgiveness and be quick to offer forgiveness. In other words, keep short accounts of each other’s flaws and wrong doings (just like Jesus does for you and me).
When we start to live this way, we let the world know that the Gospel is alive and active in our daily lives and marriages.