“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against

evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12, NLT) Do you ever get that crazy feeling that your spouse is working against you? Conflict is a normal part of every marriage, but sometimes it can feel like all out war. Sometimes this can take the form of yelling, name calling, physical fighting, and worse things. Other times it can be much more subtle. What if, for instance, you were reaching for a goal that is important to you. Lets be a bit more specific. Imagine a wife trying to teach her children not to throw fits in order to get their way. Imagine that she has just told a child that they couldn’t have any candy, and of course the child goes into a tantrum. If the husband steps in and tries to appease the child by giving in, his wife will feel very slighted and disrespected. What if this scenario played itself out repeatedly, in different contexts? It would be very easy for the wife to feel as if her husband is her enemy. Or imagine a husband who is going to school while also working in order to get a better job. Imagine if his wife frequently interrupts him while he is trying to do his homework. She constantly asks for help with the kids, or the house, or the laundry. Or maybe she just wants some of his attention and inadvertently makes him feel guilty for not spending more time with her. In this situation the husband would likely feel as if she is trying to keep him from getting his work done. He could become very bitter over this issue. This type of situation can play itself out in thousands of other scenarios. Sometimes it can happen when both the husband and wife refuse to budge on a stance that they feel is important, and both take opposing views. Real bitterness and resentment can result if things are not dealt with. Most of the time, the offending party doesn’t have any clue that they are doing it.

The Real EnemyYou do have an enemy, and it isn’t your spouse. You have an enemy that is incredibly cunning, intelligent and deceitful. He will stop at nothing to destroy you, your marriage, your spouse, and anything else in this world that reflects God’s image. Your enemy is Satan. The next time he rears his ugly head in your marriage is the perfect time to take the offensive. Stand with your spouse, allied against his schemes. Remember that his purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He especially wants to destroy anything that is a reflection of God, including your marriage.

Your DefenderGod is your Defender. Marriage is a direct reflection of His relationship with the Church. This can be seen throughout the Bible in the language used to describe God’s love for us. We are called the Bride of Christ for a reason, and you can be sure that He will come through for us when we turn to Him. And God is so much more powerful than your enemy. He is the Creator of all things and the

Lord of Lords. Satan is powerless next to Him. If you start to feel like your spouse is your enemy it is time to stop for a second. Take a deeper look and realize that it is Satan who is coming between the two of you, not your spouse. Turn to God and ask Him to strengthen your relationship with Him and your spouse. Submit to God’s plan for your marriage and resist the Devil and he will flee. Learn More: Christian Marriage Advice at God’s help For Marriage