Look around you today. You don't have to look far to see that people are doing what is right in their own eyes. Marriages are falling apart. Children are rebelling. Most of us are living defeated lives. Why? Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the devil and his evil angels. God told us this in his Word, but yet we would rather do that which is right in our own eyes instead of listening to our King.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, agains spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
Our King has given clear instructions to men, women, and children, and instead of following those instructions, we would rather do what is right in our own eyes. But you see, our King knows that if we follow his instructions, we would live victorious lives. Our King knows that if we follow his instructions, the devil and his evil angels would not be able to destroy us. So let's start over today by following our King's instructions and let's show the devil that he will no longer break up our families. Wondering where to start? I thought you would never ask.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands. What does this exactly mean? It means that our King has made an authority structure for us to follow and if we follow that authority structure, the devil and his evil angels will not be able to mess with us. Here is our King's authority structure: God, Jesus, husbands, wives, and children. Wives, you are not a slave, so please take that thought out of your mind, because it most likely has been put there by the devil, the father of lies. Submitting to our husbands just means that we don't do what is right in our own eyes, but we let our husbands lead the family. Wives, submit to your husband even if he doesn't do his part, because not only will God will bless you for it, it is spiritual warfare.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might santify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourished and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Ephesians 5:25-31
Husbands, love your wives. Love your wives even if they are hard to love. Love your wives even if they don't submit to you. Love your wives because your King has told you to. Love your wives so the devil and his evil angels can't get between both of you and ruin your marriage. Husbands, loving your wives is spiritual warfare.
Husbands, be the head of your home as Christ is the head of the church. Your wives and children need you to step up to the plate and lead them. Why, because your King has told you to. Why, because it's spiritual warfare. The devil and his angels are after your family. Don't give up. Fight with all you've got. Giving up and walking away is the easy route. There are no prizes for taking the easy route.
Husbands and wives, love your children and teach them how to respect you.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your chilren to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents. Obey your parents even if you don't agree with them. Obey your parents even if you think they are wrong. Why? So it will be well with you and you will live a long life. God will bless your life if you honor your father and mother by obeying them. God will bless your life if you honor their wishes. Why? Because this will keep the devil and his angels from getting between you and your parents. This will keep the devil and his angels from destroying your family.
Why is God telling husbands to love their wives? Why is God telling wives to submit to their husbands? Why is God telling children to obey their parents? Because this is spiritual warfare. God gives us instructions not to make us miserable, but to help us live victorious lives.
"This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Ephesians 5:32-33
