Why is it that Unity in marriage is always under attack? That both of “us” are constantly pulled either in different directions, that when discussing something important a “wild card” jumps into the discussion, “oh remembers you still did not do ABC!”, that breaks the flow, and distracts, or breaks the unity.
That past “forgiven” issues, arise again, causing new disagreements, hurts, and requiring forgiveness again and again. That old hurts, or new ones linger.
We think it is us, or “him/her” that is the root of these problems. But we forget about the “accuser of the brethren”. His assignment is not just to accuse us before God. And praise God we have an advocate, Jesus the Anointed One, who ever lives to make intercession for us. But the accuser is also accusing us, to our friends, leaders, and most importantly to our spouse. Why?
Because the enemy, like any military enemy; only respects power and authority. His goal is to remove both from our marriage, and us both individually.
We have been given the Power of the Holy Spirit, Authority to use the Name of Jesus. Promises that God will hear us…,
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”— Mat 18:19-20
Are we gathered in His name if we are gathered in an argument, No. Can we pray effectively if we are not forgiving our mate, No. For that matter if we are in “unforgiveness” our prayers are hindered. “Forgive and you shall be forgiven”
“You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” — 1 Peter 3:7-9
Husbands, are the focus in this verse, if they do not “honor” or respect their wives, but wives are also given a command to respect their husbands. And if we are all equal in Christ, then a wife disrespecting her husband, prayers would be hindered as well.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Gal 3:28
Why is the enemy attacking our unity, encouraging division, and bringing up old hurts to cause unforgiveness? Is it to break up our marriage? Yes, but that is not the first goal. His first goal it to remove our ability to access God in prayer. (forgiveness), to remove our ability to call down God’s power into our situation or others (no unity, no 2 agreeing in prayer). To stop us from walking together in the purpose and plan of God for our marriage. And to stop our faith from operating.
Why? It is our shield, the shield of Faith, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” – Eph 6:16.
No shield, now his other attacks will work.
No effective prayer, no unity, then you have no defense. No power.
And our weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God administered by the Holy Spirit. But how can we use the sword, if we are resisting the Holy Spirit, by auguring with our spouse.
Grace, repentance, forgiveness. And stop wrestling flesh and blood. Eph 6:12
We must recognize our mate is NOT the enemy, the enemy is standing by, to keep division active.
We must actively pursue the one of the 4 laws of marriage. Unity. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” – that Law of Marriage is hidden in this verse. Notice the action words. “Leave, Cleave, shall be one…”
We must do the actions of unity, forgiveness, the actions of united prayer, and purpose. We must recognize the “enemies” quick whispers to our minds, when we are already “fleshly” disputing with our mate. And not throw his gasoline into our small fire. Or BOOM! We have a real fire now!
Grace and Unity. Love and Peace. Faith, Hope and Love. These should be the environment of our marriages we thrive for everyday.
Minister Franklin (heard this In the spirit today, for our marriages)
2024-04-11
