Weekly Devotional
Not Oblivious to the Ways of the Devil
Not Oblivious to the Ways of the Devil "After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (The Message) In 2007, the New England Patriots football team was at the center of one of the most significant controversies in NFL history, known as “Spygate.” They were caught videotaping the play signals of their opponents’ coaches, a clear violation of league rules. The NFL took serious action, imposing the most significant fine ever, one million dollars, while also docking the team of a costly first-round draft pick. Why such a harsh and massive penalty? Because knowing the other team’s plays is a distinct advantage that’s dramatically unfair. Just as in football, where gaining insight into the opposing team’s signals can provide an unbelievable advantage, understanding the devil’s strategies and the plays he and his little demons call against your marriage is equally beneficial and needed as you stand for your marriage restoration! When you are in the battle for the restoration of your marriage, ignorance is not bliss. The devil loves to run around and hide himself and lurk behind the shadows. He wants his plans to go unnoticed and come as a complete surprise to us. But 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us that God does not wish us to be surprised by the devil, but God is creating His own “Spygate” and wants us to know precisely how the devil operates. A major tactic the devil will often use is to try to convince you that your situation is uniquely challenging, that your marriage is more broken than others, and that your marriage is probably harder to restore than others. But these are lies! The devil is not original; he is a counterfeit, using the same old tricks and lies to exploit our vulnerabilities. Today’s devotion explores how we can be vigilant and aware of the devil’s tactics in our marriage restoration, ensuring we are not unwittingly giving him, as The Message Translation words it, “an opening for more mischief.” The devil is a master of deception, and one of his favorite tricks is to make us believe that our struggles are extraordinary. He wants us to feel isolated, thinking no one else could understand the depth of our marital challenges. But we must remember that he uses the same sly ways on everyone. When we hear testimonies from others who have faced similar thoughts, feelings, and challenges in their marriages, we realize that the devil’s playbook is consistent and, often, identical. It still amazes me and Christine that whenever she shares her story about what she was going through, thinking, feeling, and saying to me when she left, it is often word for word what other standers say their spouses are telling them. Why? Because the devil is not original — the same lies, tactics, and playbook he used against Christine, he is also using against your spouse. Don’t forget the devil is the ultimate imitator. He counterfeits God’s promises and twists them into lies. When he attacks our marriages, he tries to convince us that our situation is hopelessly unique and that no one else has ever faced such difficulties and then seen a turnaround. But the truth is, his tactics are far from creative. They are just tried-and-tested strategies designed to exploit our weaknesses. Ignorance can be a dangerous tool of the devil. We become vulnerable to his schemes when we are unaware of his tactics. However, as believers standing for marriage restoration, we refuse to be oblivious. We educate ourselves about the enemy’s strategies and recognize them when they arise. Hearing the shared experiences of others who have faced similar trials in their marriages can be one of the most encouraging aspects of your journey. It strengthens your resolve when you realize others have encountered the same lies, doubts, and challenges. You understand that you are not alone in this battle; more importantly, this battle has been won many times! So, are you connected with others who expose the devil’s plays in their lives? Being part of a community of believers who stand for marriage restoration provides invaluable support. When you share your experiences and insights, you collectively bring to awareness the devil’s sly ways. Together, you grow in discernment and strengthen your ability to withstand his attacks. If you do not have a community of other standers, I highly encourage you to find one. This is one of the reasons we created the Standing Supernaturally Monthly Membership Program so you can connect with other standers and get trained on how the enemy is attacking your marriage. If you are interested in joining this community, you can sign up with a free 30-day trial at www.StandingSupernaturally.com/Membership We’d love for you to join us! So, while standing to see your marriage restored, do not be oblivious to the ways of the devil. Know that he employs the same old lies, doubts, and strategies in an attempt to exploit your vulnerabilities. However, armed with God’s divine knowledge and supported by a community of fellow supernatural standers, you can see through his deception and confidently stand against his mischief. Your marriage is not so unique that it can’t be restored, and your situation is not beyond God’s redemptive power. I can’t wait to see your marriage restored as you expose and defeat the devil’s sly ways!
