Wanna Fight?

We need to address a subject that many of you may not have much knowledge about.  That is spiritual warfare.  It is a subject that is pivotal to marital restoration success and one that needs to be taught more.  It is not one that should be taken lightly; it's very serious business.  There is no way that we can cover everything in one post.  This will be a few days to get the basics covered and we will probably come back to this more over time.  Like most of our topics we do not claim to be experts.  However, both of us grew up in churches where we were taught the reality and gravity of spiritual warfare.

When the terms spiritual warfare are used, (for the person unaccustomed to it) it will conjure up images of movies like The Exorcist,  and Paranormal Activity.  While they are based in some truth, Hollywood cannot accurately portray what is really happening in realm of the supernatural.  So, as we begin this conversation we will attempt to show what spiritual warfare is and how it should be applied to our marriages.

As we start to wage spiritual warfare for our marriages, we need to start at the beginning.  The beginning of spiritual warfare is not knowing what the demons and angels are up to.  In order for us to venture into the realm of spiritual warfare, we need to be dressed properly.  When you are getting ready to go into work, you dress for the task at hand.  If you are moving your home, you would not dress in a suit and tie or evening dress.  Why?  Because it is likely that you will get sweaty and dirty.  If you are going to work in your garden, you are not going to wear what you would if you were about to meet a distinguished member of your country's government.  You would dress accordingly.  If we are going out to battle the enemy of our souls for the health, vitality, and restoration of our marriage we should dress accordingly.

Ephesians 6:10-17

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;



This is our dress when we go out to fight.  And since we don't fight for our marriages a couple days out of the week or for a few hours a day, we need to be dressed for battle ALL THE TIME.  That way we can STAND at all times.

The armor goes on just as if you were dressing for war.   There is a reason why we the armor is described in this fashion.  Let's look at each of the pieces and why they are important...

Belt of Truth (waist girded with truth)

The reason that we put this on first is so that we are covered, first and foremost, with truth.  Not subjective truth but Absolute Truth.  The truth that comes from Jesus Christ.  When we know the truth, we cannot and will not be persuaded by lies.  The lies from the enemy fall on deaf ears once truth has spoken.  In Roman times (when this was written) this belt would be the same as a war skirts that soldiers would wear.  It covered the loins which, in both men and women, hold the reproductive organs.  We need to cover our ability to reproduce with truth.

Breastplate of Righteousness

We cover our vital organs with righteousness.  Not our own righteousness but the righteousness that comes from being in right standing with God.  Isaiah 64:6 says that our own righteousness is like filthy rags (aka women's menstrual pads...just being real, folks).  We need the righteousness of God to come and cover our heart.  The Bible says that out of the heart flow the issues of life and that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  By keeping our heart covered with the righteousness of God, it keeps it right before Him and as a result keeps our heart tender.

Gospel of Peace Shoes

As we struggle to keep ourselves in a right mind, we will eventually fail.  Our minds will go to dark places.  However, when we make our foundation (our feet) one of peace, even the most hideous of storms will not cause is to lose our peace.  We need to strap them on tight.  Philippians 4:7 is part of a prayer we should pray...that the peace of God that passes understanding would guard our hearts and minds.  The road to marital restoration is tumultuous at its best.  Put on the shoes that will allow you to have peace in your stance.

Shield of Faith

Above all, make sure grab this everyday.  With it you will not only stop but quench or extinguish the fiery darts from the enemy.  The shield of faith is what will enable you to see your marriage through the lies of what it looks like right now.  Your faith will allow you to see God coming through when it looks like all is lost.  This shield is one that you can completely hide behind when the battle becomes to ferocious and still be safe.  This shield has the ability to join together with other fellow warriors and standers to make an impenetrable wall.  Your faith in Jesus will become your greatest defense.  Your faith in Him will stand for you when it seems like you are unable to make it.

Helmet of Salvation

Where does our salvation come from?  It does not come from Dr. Phil or Oprah.  It does not come from any other.  Our salvation comes from the One who took death, hell, and the grave on the chin and came back victorious from them.  In Exodus 14:16, when Israel was facing the Red Sea on one side and the armies of Egypt on the other, Moses told Israel to STAND still and see the salvation of the Lord.  This helmet covers our eyes so that we see like He sees.  He sees in the realm of faith and impossibilities.  This helmet covers our ears.  The enemy is screaming his lies and we are able to only hear the gentle but firm

 voice of our King.  It covers our mind so that the mind that was in Christ Jesus would be in us (Philippians 2:5).  It covers our mouth so that we only speak what we hear the King saying.  And if, God forbid that your shield isn't up, your helmet will not allow Satan to take you out with one shot.

Sword of the Spirit

Our only offensive weapon but one that can cut through anything.  Hebrews 4:12 says that it is living and powerful and is able to pierce to the division of soul and spirit.  The Word of God needs to not only be hidden in your heart (Psalms 119:11) but also in your mouth (Joshua 1:8).  We need to become proficient with the Word of God.  Memorize it.  Meditate on it.  This does not mean to sit in a difficult yoga pose and clear your mind.  It actually means to FILL your entire being with His Words.  Even Jesus, when battling Satan while He was fasting in the wilderness, didn't fight with any other weapon.  He spoke the words that the Father had long ago authored.  If it worked for Jesus, it should work for us.

The only area that is not covered is our back.  The reason for that is that the King never intended for us to turn our back to the fight.  We are expected to advance.  And if we cannot advance, we are told to stand.  Don't give up ground that has already been taken.

Now that we are dressed, we are ready to fight.  But, don't stop with outfitting yourself with for the fight.  Dress your spouse for battle.  They may not be able to do it for themselves but you can for them.  I did it for Josh while he was gone.  It is likely the only thing that kept his life from being snatched before his time.  Dress your kids.  The enemy doesn't just want your marriage; he wants the destiny of your kids, too.  If he can take out their future by destroying your marriage now, he will.  Don't let him!

Get your armor on...EVERYDAY!!!  We have only begun to fight!!

Josh and Serena

We fight together!!