We all know about child abuse, spousal abuse, animal abuse, senior abuse, medical abuse, drug abuse, environmental abuse, religious abuse, terrorist abuse, government abuse, prison abuse, ritual abuse and I’m sure you can think of many other forms of abuse.
The phrase Satan-abuse entered my mind during my prayer time this morning. “Wow,” I thought, “the most pervasive kind of abuse is subtly and cleverly invading every facet of life.”
The statistics reveal that crisis is affecting and touching us from every corner of the universe. Abuse of every kind is prevalent and widespread. Every home on this earth is being invaded with the attacks, wiles, strategies, plans and tactics of Satan and his evil workers of iniquity.
Too many homes are being devastated, broken, torn apart and transformed into nightmares by a spouse who has allowed alcohol to control his or her life. I don’t know about you, but I can see Satan abuse intricately at work in a person who is controlled by a spirit of addiction.
As Christians, no substance should control our lives. This subject is extremely important for discussion because of the widespread devastation that substance abuse, alcoholism, pornography and child abuse are having in so many Christian marriages. Many wives are suffering silently. Many children are becoming victims of mental and physical abuse by an alcoholic or unfaithful father. Studies also indicate that more and more women are also abusing alcohol and different types of antidepressants and mood-enhancing medications.
The problem is massive and affecting an alarming rising number of families. Substance abuse addiction is so enslaving that any Christian should be able to recognize the tremendous implication of an evil spirit at work in the addicted person’s life. Society may believe that by changing the name of alcoholism or substance abuse to a different, better-sounding name, the person will feel better and even get well.
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I have a friend who was going through a very difficult situation with her husband and was placed in a position to have to make a drastic decision. Her husband had developed an addiction that was affecting the core and well-being of their marriage. The moment he came home, he would recede into his own little personal world, leaving her helplessly wondering if he would ever come back to reality. Even though he carried out all his duties at work and even attended church, intimacy with his wife was dead. The following is her testimony of the battle between good and evil and how she was able to overcome.
There was a time when a situation in my marriage had progressed to the point that a line had to be drawn. After much seeking, counseling and prayer over a significant period of time, the situation finally came to the point where my husband had to make a decision about whether he wanted to continue with a particular behavior or live with me. I spoke him and gave him a week to think, pray and decide.
I was never angry, nor did I take offense with my husband! My anger and offense were directed at the enemy, and I let him know that too. Not only has Satan never come back to haunt my husband on the tormenting issues, he can’t even find another demon who wants to take on the assignment. In my case Satan himself ACTUALLY got whacked, and today, several years later, my husband and I are enjoying the victory.
This testimony brings to my mind the true meaning of the scripture in Ephesians 6:12 (AMP):
“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”
Our marriages will not be able to survive the attacks of the enemy and the myriads of temptations invading our atmosphere unless we literally engage in spiritual warfare and practice walking in love and unity as a consistent and committed lifestyle.
If I were to choose the most important thing as the key that has kept my marriage united and healthy, I would have to say it is loving my husband and family more than myself and practicing spiritual warfare EVERY DAY!
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To read more from Iris Delgado’s ‘Satan, You Can’t Have My Marriage,’ visit MyCharismaShop.com.