WINNING THE WAR AT HOME

Pastor Bill Marks, Christian Fellowship, Potchefstroom Tel: (018) 293 1608 or 082 260 5965 God created 3 institutions: CHURCH           HOME           STATE The HOME is the most important divine institution. Gen. 1:27: God first created the home in the Garden of Eden; God chose to place us in families. The family unit is a powerful factor in the plan of God to govern the earth. Gen. 1:28: He went on to say, “Be fruitful and multiply.” (In other words - have a family!). 4 BASIC TACTICS SATAN USES TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER: 1. He tries to destroy the divine order in the home. Satan’s initial attack on mankind was an assault on the first family. He tricked Eve into assuming leadership of the family. Dominating wives say: “My husband isn’t spiritually qualified to lead the family; so I must assume spiritual headship.” (2 Kings 9 & 10: King Ahab and Jezebel). How do we get order into our homes again? Through confession and repentance. 2. He attacks family finances. Persistent faith in God’s promises and careful application of God’s principles will be rewarded. 3. He also attacks your family’s health. Your grandfather died of cancer at 40 years of age; now you are going to die young too. Then you start trying acupuncture, hypnosis, etc. 4. Another tactic is occult influences in the home through the media, horoscopes, TV programmes and fascination with magic, e.g. automatic writing, tarot cards, crystal-gazing. The Bible forbids occult involvement (Deut. 18:14). The devil’s ultimate aim is to paralyse us with fear; torment us with suspicion; provoke us to wrath or drive us to despair. Joshua 24:15: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” God especially addressed the heads (men) of the family! FOUR STEPS TO VICTORY! 1. God speaks to wives: Submit to husbands (Eph. 5:22-24). 2. God speaks to husbands: Love your wives (Eph. 5:25-33). 3. God speaks to children: Obey your parents (Eph. 6:1-3). 4. God speaks to fathers: Provoke not your children (Eph. 6:4). Sponsored by: TG TRADERS