Strength in Unity

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25

When we are divided, our defenses are not as strong and as sharp as they should be. When we as spouses are fighting and divided on major topics that affect our lives, it makes a perfect opportunity and soft spot for the devil to start plucking away at dividing our marriages. The devil is very smart, he’s been around a long time and knows a lot about human character. He’s has been studying our behavior since the dawn of time. Since Adam and Eve, he figured out just how easy it was to trick us and turn husband and wife against one another. Not much has changed since then. So how do we stay one step ahead of this crafty devil? We need to know his tactics, and what kind of weaknesses he is looking for, and attack those head-on. The Bible tells us there are seven detestable things to the Lord.

16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Haughty Eyes: Let’s focus on some of the characteristics Satan loves to see in his potential prey. Haughty eyes describe an attitude of arrogance and a spirit of superiority. Do you know someone like this? They like to think of themselves as judges over others, criticizing or rebelling against authorities, and they love to brag about all their accomplishments.

Humility: The best way to avoid having haughty eyes is to humble yourself. If you don’t do it, God will. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 Being humble involves thanking God for all he has done and is doing in your life. What about when someone points out where you lacking? That can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but what does your response look like? Do you attack the person back, or do you take their criticism and build upon that? Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. Do you consider other people’s interests before your own, and do what’s best for them.

A Lying Tongue: A person with a lying tongue intends to deceive others either to hurt people or exalt oneself. People use lies for all kinds of wicked things like staying out of trouble, getting ahead, or to keep a perceived reputation. Do you know someone like this? Someone who withholds information, tells little white lies, not telling the truth about a wrongdoing, telling exaggerated stories that make said person more flattering.

Speak in Truth: Speaking truth in love is the best way to keep you out of trouble from telling lies. Sometimes it can be too tempting to make the story a little more exciting so that you look better, but just remember, God knows the whole story. Even if your audience is fooled, God is not and one day the truth will come to light.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15

Plunging into Sin: This indicates a person who exhibits no resistance to sin, but rather is enthusiastically involved in doing what displeases God. For example, when Eve was tempted, she failed to resist the serpent’s words; but, believing him, she plunged into sin. Some people will tell you that sin and temptation follows them wherever they go, but this certainly is not the case. If you are a recovering alcoholic, you don’t go hang out at the local bar every night because your friends are there. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Matthew 18:9. If you know you have certain weak spots for sin, get as far away from that temptation as possible.

Sin No More: OK so maybe don’t literally gouge out your eye (you won’t have many body parts left if you start cutting off everything that is sinful) but what Jesus means we should be prepared to make exceptional sacrifices if we want to follow Him. That means if you need to find a new job, new house, new friends, new church….DO IT. It will be much better for you to give up your earthly stuff than staying stuck in a cycle of sin. Jesus has forgiven you but he also said to go and sin no more. So what is stopping you from making that happen? Certainly it’s not because you are not strong enough.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Together we are strong. Whether that’s together with our spouse or together with God, but certainly all 3 are stronger than just 2. God made us weak in our human state but he did that so that we would realize our need for him and lean on him. We cant dabble in sin and expect to have a good marriage or a good relationship with God. So walk away from those sinful temptations. With God, all things are possible, right? Stop just saying those words and start believing it.