If I Were the Devil

As a pastor I spend a great deal of time dealing with marriage. From pre, mid, and post marriage counseling I have come to some conclusions. More so then my view of the end times I might add.

If I were the devil, and for the sake of those that might be wondering, and for clarity, I am not. My mission would be simple; destroy the family at all cost. By attacking the family my plan would have multi-faceted goals. In the effort to destroy marriages, the mysterious picture of Christ and the Church could be tarnished. If the house could be divided then those under the leadership of the parents would be more vulnerable, for everyone knows that a house divided will not stand. By proving that the power of Christ and His teachings has limited impact in the home, the generational witness would be severely hindered. Why would children growing up in a divided home that proclaimed Christ as its head want anything to do with Christianity? If that relationship with God did nothing to spare the home of the pain of separation and divorce, why would they desire to duplicate it? The principles of forgiveness, death-to-self cross embracing, and esteeming others as better than myself did not work in the home, so why would the next generation have any interest in duplication? The damaged caused within the home is not even taking into consideration the shaming of the Christian testimony to those outside of the home.

The message presented both within and without the home is clear; Christ is powerless to make a significant difference in the relationships that really matter. The enemy must love that statement.

Children are leaving the faith in alarming rates when they reach college age with some studies revealing estimates ranging between 70-90%. That is scary. Why is this happening and what should be done about it? At least part of the answer is that the devil has been very successful in dividing the home. I use an expression often, If your Christianity is not working in the home, please don't export it until it does. If those that are the closest to you don't see the reality of Christ in your life, then what do we really have? In multiple studies, the number one reason children reject Christ is hypocrisy in the home. Interesting. Our children see firsthand the reality (or not) of the Christian message. What are they seeing?

I am not promoting perfectionism for only Jesus was perfect. What I am saying is that our walk with God has to be more than Sunday morning only. The reality of the power of the Gospel needs to be evident first and foremost to those that know us the best.

For those that have already suffered through a divorce God is a compassionate, merciful Lord and Savior. His grace is sufficient and His loving kindness knows no bounds. Our God is a redeeming God! For those considering a divorce I pray that we would consider the cause of Christ, our children and what we are really saying to those around us about the reality and power of the Gospel. Our lives impact so many and generations are at stake. I pray we consider the ramifications of our decisions and not simply succumb to the lie that states it is all about me and my personal happiness. It is not.

That's my HBDAO - Pastor Jeff