As a man thinks in his heart so is he. The state of marriage is in shambles. Unfortunately many Christians are believing the worlds lies about marriage, and sadly many Christian wives are not only believing the lies, but living them out in their homes. Operating out of order, showing no honor to their husbands, manipulating their husbands, undermining his authority in the home in the presence of their children, speaking poorly of your husband to your friends, putting him down, etc. But there is hope. Lets examine the transformation of Saul to Paul.
In Acts 8:1-3 Saul persecutes the church and consents to Stephen's death. He creates havoc everywhere he goes and enters the homes of men and women dragging them off to prison for worshipping the Lord Jesus.
When a marriage isn't grounded in Christ, the couple is open to believing the world's view of how a marriage should function. Many marriages are in crisis because they have been operating with a Saul spirit (without Christ). It's easy to breath threats of ending (killing) a marriage when you never had an encounter with the true Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus.
A marriage in crisis that is blinded by its own mess, operating outside of God's will, cannot begin to be healed until its exposed to the light of God. There are critical steps the Lord uses to bring us into right relationship with Him and therefore bring our marriages into right standing with Him.
YOU MUST HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST FOR CHANGE TO TAKE PLACE
(Acts 9:3-16)
On the road to Damascus Saul has a personal encounter with Jesus. Saul is blind after the encounter.
When you have a personal encounter with Christ, you are arrested with His truth about your situation. You may be frightened by what God shows you, remorseful, ashamed, but eventually thankful.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST LEADS TO CONVERSION (Acts 9:17-18)
The Lord speaks to a man named Ananias, telling him to minister to Saul. Ananias moves at the command of God and delivers a message from the Lord. When Ananias delivers the message, scales fall off Sauls eyes and his vision is restored. Conversion allows you to see yourself for who you are, God shows you "you" - closing your eyes to the shortcomings of others, allowing you time of reflection and prayer - calling out to God for your purpose in Him. God works in you best when He has your undivided attention.
CONVERSION LEADS TO COMMITMENT TO CHRIST (Acts 9:19-22)
Saul received Christ as his savior and spent time with seasoned followers of Christ, after which he began preaching the word or God. After conversion you need the guidance of others to bring you into the place where God can use you and bring complete healing. The Lord will bring people into your life that will lead you straight to His word. When you commit to Christ, the Lord will give you wisdom and direction. He will send support that will encourage you in your walk with Him. When you're in right relationship with Christ you see things with new eyes and a renewed mind.
A marriage that is outside of God's will is persecuted from the inside out. Nothing outside has to bring trouble because a marriage without God is disfunctional to start with. The enemy doesn't have to spend any time or energy destroying something that will eventually destroy itself.
People don't change people, only an encounter with Christ changes people. But people can influence people to seek Christ, putting themselves in a position for an encounter with the one who can change your whole situation, Christ Jesus.
Ladies, your marriage can be all God wants it to be if you'll become a willing participant in His plan, purpose and will for your marriage. The Lord can change your marriage just like He changed Saul to Paul. Stand on God's word for your marriage. Pray that the Lord bring you an encourager to support you in being the best wife you can be to your husband. Trust me God will do it. He did it for me and we know He's no respecter of persons. I praise God for what He's done in me as a wife and mother. It hasn't been easy and many times its been hurtful, but I love that I have a whole, solid, Christ-filled marriage, where the marriage bed is not defiled. We'll discuss that next time:) Until then,
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
