   Paul wrote: 'Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ' (Ephesians 5:21 NIV). Satan is the enemy of marriage. In order to defeat him, you must first know how to identify where, when and how he's at work. As long as you focus on fighting each other or blaming, your marriage will continue to slide into further misery with each failed request for intimacy, each unmet expectation and each day spent hopelessly wishing your spouse would change. Sure, you need to learn better communication and learn how to forgive, and sickness or money problems need to be dealt with. But when you see the conflicts as being sent from the same evil source, you can fight them so much more effectively. 

   Do these two things: (1) Focus first on yourself. You know you can't change anyone but yourself. And in many ways, you can't even do that. You need God's intervention in your own life right now (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). And you need to understand who God is calling you to be in your marriage. (2) Pray for and with your spouse (see Matthew 18:19). Prayer is indispensable in defeating the enemy of your marriage. Pray for direction in what God would have you to do. If your spouse is willing, pray together and aloud if possible. 

   Invite God to intervene in your marriage and to make it a demonstration of the work only he can do in two people's lives. The truth is that you can experience Christ's victory in your marriage.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Submit to one another.' Ephesians 5:21 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

    Jer 49-50, Matt 1:1-6, Ps 50:16-23, Pro 10:11-13
    

Paul wrote: 'Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ' (Ephesians 5:21 NIV). Satan is the enemy of marriage. In order to defeat him, you must first know how to identify where, when and how he's at work. As long as you focus on fighting each other or blaming, your marriage will continue to slide into further misery with each failed request for intimacy, each unmet expectation and each day spent hopelessly wishing your spouse would change. Sure, you need to learn better communication and learn how to forgive, and sickness or money problems need to be dealt with. But when you see the conflicts as being sent from the same evil source, you can fight them so much more effectively. Do these two things: (1) Focus first on yourself. You know you can't change anyone but yourself. And in many ways, you can't even do that. You need God's intervention in your own life right now (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). And you need to understand who God is calling you to be in your marriage. (2) Pray for and with your spouse (see Matthew 18:19). Prayer is indispensable in defeating the enemy of your marriage. Pray for direction in what God would have you to do. If your spouse is willing, pray together and aloud if possible. Invite God to intervene in your marriage and to make it a demonstration of the work only he can do in two people's lives. The truth is that you can experience Christ's victory in your marriage.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Submit to one another.' Ephesians 5:21 NIV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Jer 49-50, Matt 1:1-6, Ps 50:16-23, Pro 10:11-13

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.

The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day’s devotion appeared to be ‘written just for me’

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.
The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day&rsquo;s devotion appeared to be &lsquo;written just for me&rsquo;