Escaping the traps of marital crisis

The devil uses devices to make us ignorant (II Cor 2:11). Note that the devil is the accuser of the brethren and until you challenge the devil’s authority by the word he might not leave your marriage. Some of the devices used by the devil to cause challenges in the homes include...

1. Lust of the Eyes

This is an insatiable desire for worldly gain which include money, materials things etc. The language of a covetousness man is “l must get it by all means”. The lust/desire of the flesh can never be satisfied. Take heed and beware of covetousness. Lk 12:15 - He that hate covetousness will prolong his days. This means that those who envy and try to covet things are simply shortening their days. Consider the following examples from scriptures– Achan (Jos 7:21; 2Tim 3:1-9; Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20); Judas (Matt 26:14-15); Pro 28:16. The game of fools is comparism.
Riches are part of your redemptive package as a child of God but you will never experience it if you continuously covet what others have. The Church will experience transfer of wealth in this end time and we need a heart of God to be partakers of the wealth as well as not to be overtaken by the lust of the eyes.
The CURE FOR COVETEOUSNESS IS CONTENTMENT
Be contented with what you have and you will live a prolonged life and secure the blessings of God on your life - I Tim. 6:3-6

2. Lust of the Flesh
Immorality is not a solution provider but a problem creator. It is a major trap the enemy is using in the end time to ensure many don’t have fruitfulness in their family life. Immoral acts include pornography, sexual infidelity etc. Samson was a picture of Israel’s strength but due to his inability to fight against the lust of the flesh, he was reduced to a mere grain grinder in the house of his enemies. He was conquered by a woman who did not even need weapons to do so. Judges 16
Immorality will paralyse sound mentality. NB: The gland in the brain that is responsible for the intellect of man is also responsible for sexual desires – if you over task it to satisfy sexual appetite, it in turn affects intelligence.) Gal 5:19-21; 1Jh 2:15-17; Judges 16:4.
The language of “the devil” is – I have a strong urge, I cannot resist/control myself. Remember God has given you the authority to resist the devil and he will flee. so all you have to do is command him to flee and you will have a blissful family life.

The Cure to the Lust of the flesh is to WALK IN THE SPIRIT – Gal.5:16-17

THE PRIDE OF LIFE

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

The pride of life is defined as anything that leads to arrogance, pride, boasting and presumption. The moment you begin to feel that no one can do it better than you, then you have given room to pride. That mindset makes people to think that they are always right, and when they are corrected, they pick offence. Any home where pride is given a place will suffer crisis.

PRIDE IS A SPIRIT
How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms.
Isaiah 14:12-16

Pride is a spirit and it is the nature of the devil. It was pride that robbed him of his place in Heaven, because God cannot stand pride.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. - 1 Peter 5:5-6

Understand that you are not a super-vessel but an earthen vessel into which God has put His treasure. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 2 Samuel 15:1-2; 1 Samuel 15:23).

Looking through Second Timothy chapter 3, verse 1 to 4, it can be observed that fifty percent of the qualities listed there have to do with the pride of life. It talks of “boasters, blasphemers, the disobedient to parents, unthankfulness, despisers of those that are good, heady, and high-mindedness.”

The moment you feels no one can do it better than you. “I too know” am always right, when corrected reaction begins. Check it, pride is setting in gradually.

The cure to the pride of life is deeper acknowledgment of God as the doer of every accomplishment in your life.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1.

By David Abioye.