Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches a topical study about God's Design for Marriage Part 6: Resisting Worldly Idols and Satan's Deception on 10/1/2006 for our Sunday service.
This part continues the discussion on the oppositions to a godly marriage, focusing on the world and the devil. It defines idols as anything, even good things like careers or children, that are elevated to an unnatural position of importance, higher than God or one's spouse. Using Isaiah 44, the session illustrates the uselessness and illogical nature of idols, showing how man can use part of a tree for practical needs and yet worship the other part. It warns that idols rise through compromise, slowly consuming time and affection, leading to a lifeless relationship with God and spouse as one becomes like the idols they serve – unable to speak, see, or hear spiritually. God will often use frustrations to deal with these idols, as exemplified by the story of Dagon falling before the Ark of the Lord. Finally, the session addresses the devil's opposition, identifying him as a deceiver who attempts to make spouses believe there is no hope for their marriage or forgiveness for past failures. The response to this deception is to remember God's abundant grace and ability to restore, and to understand that spiritual growth, like a planted seed, requires patience and nurturing before visible fruit appears. Believers are urged to resist the devil steadfastly in faith, focusing on their own spiritual growth and washing their spouse's "specks" with the Word, rather than succumbing to his lies.
