SATAN’S ATTACKS AGAINST THE HOME

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   In two previous lessons, we have noted that the home is a divine institution.

1.    It did not evolve and come into existence as man developed.

2.    Instead, God created the institution and gave it as a gift to man (Gen. 2:18-24).

 

B.   Since the home is divine, the enemy, Satan, is constantly seeking ways to attack and destroy the home.

1.    What impact did Adam and Eve’s sin have on their home?

2.    What impact did Cain slaying Abel have on their homes?

3.    What impact did Abraham’s bearing children have upon his home?

4.    What impact did Lot’s decision to move to Sodom have on his home?

5.    What impact did polygamy play in the home of Elkanah?

 

C.   The home has been existence for thousands of years.  Satan has always brought attacks against it.  He continues to this day.

 

D.   In this lesson, let’s look at some of “Satan’s Attacks against the Home.”

 

I.             LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

 

A.   Almost every human being is raised in a home, but those who establish homes have a lot of ignorance about important matters found in the home.

 

B.   Understanding involves comprehension, discernment, and the skills needed to deal with important aspects of the home.

 

C.   Hosea 4:6

 

May people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

 

D.   Some areas of ignorance:

1.    Communication

2.    Finances

3.    Parenting

4.    Crisis management

5.    How to maintain a spiritual home

 

II.           IMMATURITY

 

A.   Relationships, carrying out plans, correcting problems, leading and directing others, maintaining assets, conflict resolution, personal sacrifice, etc. are all part of a home.  It takes maturity to deal with these and a host of other aspects of the home.

 

B.   Many individuals who are extremely immature establish homes.

1.    The definition of immaturity is:  “childish, not developed, not perfected, lacking wisdom, insight, and emotional stability.

a.    Sometimes immaturity has to do with age.

b.    Most of the time, however, it has to do with selfishness, emotional control, lack of self-discipline, irresponsibility, pride, immediate gratification, and an inability to endure.

2.    One made this statement about immaturity versus maturity.

a.    Immaturity asks:  “How can I get out of this?”

b.    Maturity asks:  “How can I get through this?”

 

C.   Jeremiah 12:5

 

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?

 

1.    Running with the footmen involves the small matters.

a.    Children are not able to handle simple things:  brushing their teeth, cleaning their rooms, doing their homework, accepting “no” for an answer.

b.    They cry.  They argue.  They pitch fits.  Instead of doing what they should do.

c.    Adults can handle the small matters.

2.    Running with the horsemen involves the big matters.

a.    Those who are mature can also deal with the big matters:  financial struggles, childrearing difficulties, sickness, big changes in plans, relationship struggles.

b.    Immature people just quit the relationship.  They move from one person to another to another when things get hard.

 

III.         PROSPERITY AND RICHES

 

A.   A capitalistic system provides bountiful opportunities for those within it.

1.    Prosperity

2.    Assets

3.    Wants not just needs

4.    Freedoms

5.    Ease

6.    Power

7.    Self-reliance

 

B.   There is danger to a home’s well-being in such a society.

1.    No contentment

2.    Rely on money instead of God

3.    Time consumed with work and career

4.    Envy and jealousy of others

5.    Frustration and anger when not able to “keep up”

6.    Debt

7.    Focus on things seen instead of things not seen

8.    Pride and arrogance

 

C.   The Bible presents numerous warnings about riches.

1.    Luke 12:15

 

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

 

2.    Matthew 6:24

 

No man can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

 

3.    1 Timothy 6:9-10

 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

IV.         DIVORCE

 

A.   Marriage involves a man and a woman being brought together (Gen. 2:22).

 

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

 

B.   Divorce is the just the opposite of God’s design. 

1.    It is the separation of a husband and wife from one another.

2.    In Duval county in 2020, 4229 marriages were recorded.  In that same year, there were 2683 divorces or annulments.  That is a 63% ratio. 

3.    It divides more than just a husband and a wife.

a.    It often divides the loyalty of children between their parents.

b.    It divides the two families from which the husband and wife originate.

c.    It divides friends.

d.    It can divide a church.

e.    It sometimes divides one or both of the individuals from the Lord.

 

C.   It is for this reason that God forbids divorce.

1.    Jesus plainly teaches that divorce was not in the original plan of God for marriage (Matt. 19:7-8).

 

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives:  but from the beginning it was not so.

 

 

2.    Matthew 19:6b

 

…What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

 

3.    Romans 7:2

 

For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth…

 

4.    Malachi 2:16 reveals that God hates “putting away.”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Example:  Chain link fence

 

            

 

A.   The fence is a stable, functioning society with each link being a home.

 

B.   Then, we begin to cut that fence in various places

1.    Cut #1:  Lack of understanding of the home

2.    Cut #2:  Immature individuals getting married

3.    Cut #3:  Prosperity and riches

4.    Cut #4:  Divorce

 

C.   What will the fence look like if we continue to keep cutting it apart?

 

 

D.   We need to study Gods’ will for the home.  Too, we need to put Jesus Christ back in the home.  Homes crumble without God.  Nations crumble without the home.