Jesus came to UNDO the work of Satan! – By Paula Sherman
1 John 3:8 (NASB) says “…The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Amen and Amen! What a PROMISE! I remember that not long after reading this verse, it quickly became my primary warfare scripture. Those of us standing for our marriages must remember that God is in partnership with us to UNDO the work of Satan in our homes, marriages, and the lives of our spouses, who have been taken captive by Satan to do his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
The following two passages of scripture really give us a better understanding of the extent to which the devil holds our spouses captive to do his will and why they are unable to hear from God. Psalm 36:1-4(NLT) says “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.” And Matthew 13:14-15 really helps us understand what is going on with our spouses, because it says “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” But verse 16 says “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” So we should pray that they will see, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts so they can turn to God and be healed. We must pray for God to remove their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). And then they will be able to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 - NKJV), all to the GLORY OF GOD!
So can we now begin to look at our spouses with love, mercy, compassion, and even pity; without hatred, bitterness, and condemnation? Yes, I’m talking to myself first! As Psalm 36:1-4 above says; they cannot see how wicked they are; not that they don’t want to se; they CAN NOT see! They are void of their spiritual senses.
BUT PRAISE GOD, HERE IS OUR PROMISE! According to Isaiah 35:4-6 and Isaiah 42:6-8, Jesus came to:
(1) Set the captives free
(2) Bring those in darkness to the light
(3) Open blinded eyes
(4) Unstop deaf ears
That is what God will do for us and our spouses. It is HIS will, not just mine or ours, that all men will be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) and that NONE will perish, but that all will come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And 1 John 5:15 teaches us that when we pray according to HIS will we know (not guess or think) that HE hears us and WHATEVER (not some things) we ask, we know that we HAVE what we asked of HIM! It doesn’t get much more clear and definitive than that, does it?! Praise God! That’s a guaranteed promise! Thank you, JESUS!
John 10:10 says that the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, and we know that Satan ALWAYS represents and offers the exact OPPOSITE of God. So, if Satan’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy our spouses, marriages and homes; then that can’t be what God wants too! Because if He did, that would mean God is in alignment and agreement with Satan. And we know that’s not true and it’s IMPOSSIBLE. So, I took the time to look at antonyms for the words steal, kill and destroy; to help us get a clear understanding that God is on our side! He wants to bring and breathe LIFE into our marriages; not death!
Satan steals and Jesus gives back, RESTORES, and RETURNS!
Satan kills and Jesus - gives birth, gives life, creates, promotes, upholds, and supports!
Satan destroys and Jesus builds up, develops, repairs, fortifies, and RESTORES!
So who’s report will we believe? WHOO-HOO!! FAM family, do we see what God is saying to US?? Can we receive it by FAITH? If not, let’s ask God to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). God is a LIFE-GIVING GOD! He’s a repairer of the breach! He’s a restorer; a reconciler! I pray that this message the Holy Spirit gave me tonight will comfort and encourage all of us to put our complete trust in God and HIS promises; and to not fall for Satan’s lies.
Grace and Peace to all of us who have been called to this journey of restoration. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it!