Last week we talked about praying boldly. This week I want to talk about how crucial it is to boldly fight for our families. Satan wants to defeat, discourage, and destroy our families. His attacks are not just willy nilly attempts to trip us up or knock us down. He wants to take us out.
I know this seems like a heavy subject for a Tuesday blog… a late Tuesday blog at that. But, I have a fire burning in my stomach from the hyper awareness of how crafty and strategic Satan really is. He has made me fighting mad this week and I can’t help but address it.
Do you know why Satan’s tactics are called schemes in 2 Corinthians 2: 10-11? A scheme is a plan, design, or program of action. Satan’s schemes are well thought through plans specifically targeted to do 3 things:
1. To increase your desire for something outside the will of God.
2. To make you think giving in to a weakness is no big deal.
3. To minimize your ability to think through the consequences of falling to this temptation.
Oh how I wish we could see the cost of each of our choices as clearly as a price tag on items in a store. Or as clearly as the caloric cost of food choices offered on menus in New York (did you know they have that in New York? fabulous!) If I know how much something is going to cost me, I make such wiser choices.
So, Satan is a master of keeping that cost hidden until it’s too late.
Sweet sisters, I think this is something worth thinking about. And I think it is something worth talking to our kids about. Think of age appropriate examples of how costly stupid decisions can be. Be real and raw and bold as you walk them through different scenarios of temptations they will face.
How much will this really cost me? If we teach ourselves and our kids nothing else this week then to ask this one question, we will have invested wisely. So, so very wisely.
Going through a tumultuous marriage and divorce left my family with 5 children in disarray!
This was over eight years ago…Up to this day God has restored all my relationships with my children and I had only not spoken to my Oldest son Joseph (now 30 ). Through the years I had prayed, believed and written him sent gifts and still no answer. In the past few weeks God has been dealing with me on believing for those BIG prayers in my life and I had vowed that if it took till my last dying breath I would pray and believe God that our relationship would be restored! And instead of thinking Why I would believe Why Not! 2 weeks ago while going thru a little thrift store I found a little vintage bible story book on the life of Joseph in the Bible and when I saw it I thought of all the reasons I had named my son Joseph, He was a great Leader, He loved God, He was obedient, He loved his family, He had a Big heart and he must have been handsome or Potipher’s wife would not have liked him. I bought that little vintage book and decided I would write a note in it and share with Joseph why I had named him Joseph…so I did, I wrapped it in a beautiful bow and thought I would send it to him that day….Little did I know that God had another plan (always better than ours) within the the hour I was at work and received a call from the front desk that my son Joseph was here to see me!!! Seeing his face, embracing him tightly and feeling him embrace me was probably one of the greatest moments in my life! As the tears streamed down our faces, he apologized for all the anger and bitterness he had been dealing with in fact how the Lord has been dealing with him in his life and that God had showed him how he wanted to do so much with his life but he needed to get this area right. I too apologized for any hurt I had caused him!
I remember a few months a go I had purchased a new car…actually this was the very first time I had gotten a “New” vehicle in my life and that day I had driven ways from the dealer and thought “This is the best day ever” I had to apologize to God and tell him what was I ever thinking!!! This was the BEST Day Ever…the day miracles happen, the day lives change, the day the future changes! As we spoke for the next several hours I realized what an awesome man of God he was, God’s timing is always so much better than our own!
This morning driving into the office, there was this gospel song on the radio “ They that wait upon the Lord, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint, like an Eagle that Soars”…. Today is a new day…I am Blessed beyond measure!!!
“The Blessing of the Lord make us Rich”
Thank you for your prayers…keep believing God for your miracles!
Thank you so much for this Lysa! Your subject on praying boldly last week has really stuck with me. This helps me so much more! I am going to print these off and study them out in more depth. Thank you for getting my wheels a turnin’!
I also believe that I will get together with my husband this week and then discuss these costs with our kids. They are young right now but if I explain it on their level, they can still understand. Thanks again for being such an inspiration to me!
Amen!!! I just finished reading a book over my lunch break and it was about fighting the spirtual battle over our enemy. To fight with praise and worship and entering in God’s presence. Thank you for this word, it is confirmation to me that I need to up my awareness and move forward with my robe of righteousness and humility and sword of the spirit and do some damage to our enemy Satan.
Thank you Lysa! Your words pierced right through my heart today – in a good way. Satan is out in full force and we must stand firm against him; he cannot have our children. I’ve shed many tears for my daughter most especially when she reached the adolescent & teen years & I became “dumb”. Now she is 21 and living on her own; in the last week I’ve said “thank you” to God for answering my prayers on her behalf.
Lysa, you are correct we must invest wisely in our time & teachings so that we and our children are well armed against the enemy. Thank you for bringing this to us. Hugs & prayers to you & yours
Personally, I feel the Bible is pretty clear on this one, as it cuts to the chase, so to speak: “The wages of sin is death!” Scary, very scary, if you’re a sinner…especially if one continues to sin after knowing THIS!!! Fear God, not the devil…I prefer to laugh in the face of the latter!
AMEN!! 
Thank you, Lysa for addressing this very important topic; Satan’s destruction! I wish my husband realized the lies of Satan before he abandoned our family and eventually divorced me. None of that had to take place, but he believed the lies that (quoting husband’s exact words) “Nothing will change, we just won’t be married.” That is what he told me and our kids as his explaination as to why he was going through with the divorce. Devastating to say the least! I pray against any further lies from the Enemy each day. Please pray that my husband seeks God and rededicates his life to the Lord soon…so God can save him and our family, too. God Bless you!
Lisa – This came at just the right time in my life. I got a call from my brother in Afganistan early Monday morning, and he told me that his wife of eight years told him on the phone that she is leaving him and taking their three kids back to the states and that she had been planning this for a while, but was waiting until he was over there to let him know. My brother is heart broken. He is not perfect, but lets admit it, who of us girls are perfect? My brother has tried to encourage her that they could do counseling, but she doesnt want to hear anything of it. She said her mind is made up and that it that. My brother is at such a loss, and with being so far away, he feel helpless. I have encouraged him to really seek God through this, because not only is God right there with him in Afganistan, he is right there with his wife in Italy. I have been tring to call her, to offer her some loving christian encourment, but she has yet to answer my phone calls, so I sent her your post and hopefully she will get something out of it. Thanks for sharing your heart.
So funny…. absolutely timely. My husband is struggling with my being a “holy roller,” etc. Anyway, we have been having many long discussions/arguments, and I had decided not to go away with him on a business trip tomorrow. Your post was for me… I will be beside my husband tomorrow.
Thanks! and Praise God for his timeliness!
I was just sharing with my daughter this weekend. She is a senior in college and still has to fulfill 2 years of school to obtain her masters in her chosen career choice. She has fallen in love and shared with me that they want to marry after her senior year and not wait until she is done with her schooling. I was devastated with this news and shared with her the importance of obtaining her degree, because marriage is WORK and you need to be totally committed to each other, especially that first year. Hopefully she listens, but has assured me that things will not go forward without my approval as they do know how important a wedding day is and that everyone needs to on the same page. But I will continue to pray that Satan will not tempt these young people and that God will give them the strength to follow their hearts and their head.
I think about this all the time. I try to talk to my 6 year old son about it, because I can see when the devil is working on him. I can’t get him to understand enough right now, but I will keep talking to him about it. My brother who has newly come to Jesus is being attacked really hard right now. He got laid off his job, and his wife has asked him for a divorce. I am praying hard for them right now. Yes Satan is really good at what he does to try and separate us from Jesus.
my kids, my kids…that’s where I let Satan get the better of me- EVERYTIME!!!!! Even when they do nothing really wrong, Satan tempts me to get so frustrated…I become this screaming lunatic! I know before the words come out of my mouth that I should change my tone and breathe first, but it’s like an out of body experience…I struggle to bring my tongue under control. It’s such a HUGE negative in my life…I LONG to be a patient, gentle spoken mama!! I know that when I am focused on God and His desires for me, I am a much better mom…why is it soooooo hard for me to stay focused???!!! Thank you Lysa for talking about REAL issues…God has certainly been using you as inspiration in my life
Lysa, I have to say this message was for me! I always listen to you on KLOVE but have never been on your webpage. Today I decided to bring up the webpage and go to your blog…and I’ll tell you, I have been thinking about treating my husband the way he treats me and after reading today’s blog that WILL NOT happen. See we have been having alot of marriage issues. Not sure if I should even call them issues. He is a great husband in every way possible except one. Communication. He shuts down and doesn’t talk. We have been married 12 years last month and this has always been the issue. Lately I have been having a pitty party and telling myself “I’ll show him”. That is not what God wants me to do, you just confirmed this.
I feel silly asking for prayer because there are so many other marriages with other more major issues. But, can we all say a prayer for all our marriages.
Thank you and God Bless!
Lysa
Just last week…..my own family fell deep into the pit of gack! (thanks to crafty satan)
Both my teen girls and I were facing some frustrating attacks at school from some not so nice people. Poor hubby had to listen to us melting down after he came home from dinner. All of us began to recognize how satan was at work through these people to undermine each of us and our effectiveness for the gospel!
It’s very important to stay on course and focused.
We’re learning…..eyes on the prize!!
Lysa you always hit the nail on the head at the right moment in time. Thanks for all you do!
You could have written this directly to me and my teenage daughter. Right now we are having a “discussion” about boyfriends. I do not agree with who she wants to date and she thinks I don’t want her to be happy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thank you for your encouraging words and I pray that I can make my daughter understand why I feel the way I do. Thank you again and God Bless
Thank you for the three points you wrote. I am going to copy them down and put in my Bible to remind me…how we forget as we are tempted and ready to give in to the sin. Thank you for opening my eyes to some areas in my life that need to be looked at. I am also reading your more than a good Bible study girl and getting convicted there too…..
It is crucial to teach not only ourselves, but our children as well to don the armor of God every minute of every day. As the kingdom calendar ticks onward Satan’s desperation is increasing and we will be subjected to more frequent attacks.
We discuss choices with our children all the time, from little things like what to eat or wear to bigger picture things like purity, marriage, college and careers. They lead a fairly sheltered life, but are still well aware of the dangers of the real world.
Talk, talk, talk and talk some more and pray even more than that!
Very timely message for me Lysa. Last week I was informed that my niece who is an unmarried teenager still in high school is pregnant. She is a good girl that knows the Lord and knows right from wrong but she made a costly choice to have sex when she shouldn’t have and now her life will forever be changed. Her family will help her and be there for her through this time in her life but I don’t think she even realizes at the time just how much her stupid decision is going to cost her and her future. Don’t get me wrong – the baby will be loved like crazy but I am heartbroken for her because I know how hard life is for a married couple raising a family let alone a single teenager. Thanks for sharing.
Amen, Amen, and Amen!
Thank you for sharing, Lysa, and encouraging us to share this truth with our children.
Wow…I wish I’d have had someone to teach me that when I was younger. It is so true. Satan can’t kill us physically (if were God’s child) but he sure can try to ruin our testimony and our life on this planet if we let him. I pray for strong, praying, stubborn moms who won’t let Satan do this to their families.
Thanks Lysa
Preach it sister!!!!! It is so easy to let our defenses down when all seems calm (notice I said “seems” and not “is”). The enemy lurks watching and waiting…but THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE has our back AND He wants us to be victorious! He IS victorious. I have been reminded just today of the importance of putting on the full Armor of God everyday and then to STAND. Sweet sisters…go put on your armor we have a war to win!
ml
I can’t tell you how time appropriate this is. My husband and I have been under great spriritual attack by my mother in law and it has been such a major obsticle to overcome. Satan has truly been working on blowing our family apart by using a very important person in my husbands life, his mother. She is not a believer and has really been attacking us on our choices we make in raising our children and the church we go too. I know that God has given my husband such an ability to stand up for the truth and for what God has for our family but boy is it hard to stand up to your momma. I praise God for a husband who is willing to stand up for the truth the Lord has given to us even under such hard times. Satan is trying to really break up families and I have truly seen this so much in the last year. So I will be praying crazy good prayers that God will give us the ability to speak the truth in Jesus name so that the whole world will hear of our Lord and Savior
Lysa,, that is sooooo true.. I did not calculate the cost of my sin(s) years ago, when i was unfaithful to my husband,, and ended up divorcing him,, and losing the respect of my children,, Although the Cost was beyond more that I was willing to pay, once my eyes were opened to the tricks I allowed myself to be played by Sata(The Chump) as I call him.. Gods Grace was NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.. He has allowed me and my husband to put our marriage and our family BACK TOGETHER.. Yes.. we have been married now for 25 yrs.. And my children love me as if I had never messed up… And know that I know the cost .. I lead a WBS on marriage and am starting to lead one on your study Becoming more than a good biblestudy girl.. starting oct 6th.. And Im so excited about it..
Check out my blog to read my testimony at .http://glassofsweettea.blogspot.com/
Just this afternonn I asked my 16 y.o. to carve out some 1:1 time for me. Last night we went to college night at the high school and for the first time she showed interest in something other than her boyfriend (aughhh). It is time for a serious 1:1 talk about her future…satan is trying to steer her so wrong. Pray for us!!
Thank you.
Believing him~Pamela
Thank you for this post. I am in the middle of a sticky situation. I am currently separated, my husband is an unbeliever and well, he decided to separate, quote on quote, get a divorce. Its been almost 2 years of separation and no word of divorce but no getting back together either. I am waiting on the Lord and in the meantime I have fallen into sin with another man which now I have soul ties with and well, I am not at the point where I am feeling the sorrow, the pain, I cant even visit church without feeling this pain and hardness of heart because I am in sin and can’t seem to bring it to an end. Although I know by now that this is what is to happen, no matter what happens with my husband and I, this relationship is sinful and well, I do have a wonderful 11 year old who is more important than me and so I pray the Lord to save me and deliver me. thank you for your post.
Lysa,
Thank you for this! I can’t wait to read what else you have to say this week. I’m so thankful for your willingness to speak out and share God’s truth on the harder issues. I think (sadly) many Christians, even churches, ignore the issue of Satan because we don’t want to think about evil. We also don’t want to admit that we ever listen to evil, or even become ensnared in it! I think one of Satan’s best tricks is to make people forget about him, or even to lead people to think he doesn’t exist. When he can fly under the radar, we aren’t prepared for his carefully planned attacks! I’m praying your post today puts myself, and all of us sisters more on guard this week! Thank you!
Blessings,
Molly
I have been struggling with my life, my choices, and being a part of my husbands new career. He has turned us upside down, and it has been hard as he is so focused on school. I suffered a huge depression this summer and thought about a lot of negative things that I could have chosen. But I kept my focus on my kids when I could not focus on anything else. The next 3 years are going to be very hard on my family and I am the one holding it all together, but i have to do it, it is my job, hard as it is to be the rock, the glue, the whatever you want to use to describe the one who does it all while the rest come and go from the home. So… I am seeing that this is my calling and my ministry and that is my place to be right now. Even if the glamor is elsewhere at the moment. This is where I have to be. And I try really hard not to resent the fact that I had little say in the situation. I married him, I have to make it work. Some day he might see that he could not do this without me, but even if he does not , I know it and I know this is where I am supposed to stay. The other negative thoughts were the attack, I hope I have fought off the last 3 months, for the sake of my kids and the others who need me to be here on earth. Thank you! Keep writing!
Amen Sister! The earlier you start the better off you will be. I am the mother of two beautiful young women. I praise my Lord that they walk with Him daily. When they were younger and learning how to make good choices (with the help of mom and dad.) It was not always easy or popular, but boy did it pay off! To all the moms and dads, stay true to God’s leading and you can’t go wrong.
Awesome words Lisa! Thank you!
at the risk of being vulnerable and transparent. Lisa you couldn’t have heard more clearly from God with this message today. Satan has been on attack! This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to attend the Living Proof Live Simulcast and Beth’s message addressed the Prov 31 woman. Specifically, how & why we open our mouths. Or should I say it was more about how we should open our mouths. Well, since Saturday from the moment I left the event I have been tested. To the point that I’ve had to make the words “She openeth her mouth” my daily mantra.
I’m fuming mad, ready to break into another fit of tears over the attacks I’ve been under, the accusations and condemnations I’ve faced. I’m fed up with the mountains we’ve circled and circled and circled and all the while he laughs at us. I could cry again, but my heart aches to the degree that I can’t cry, i just want to throw my hands up. Coincidentally enough we just finished a bible study called never quit. ARRRGGGG I hate when he does this. Ya’ll please pray for me. I know that he is defeated and it will take all that I have! So I am submitted to that!
My parents talked unceasingly about this very subject with my brothers and me. They also included choosing wisely that which we chose to watch on television or read so that we would not be inviting Satan into our homes through those venues. I find myself doing the same with my children, even as they spread their wings and leave our home. We must be ever vigilant and ever mindful in remembering and reminding our families to follow God and His teachings and not be drawn in by the enemy. Praying constantly for guidance and strength.
Lysa,
I have been leading a bible study with the help of you book – What happens when women say yes to God. So far it has been amazing. We all love it.
But I have been having a serious problem with Satan and I am requesting lots of prayer. Over the last week I have been having dreams about other men. Not that I am attracted to them but that they are asking me to have an affair in the dream. I truly believe this is satan bringing his wrath on me for reading and studying God’s word at least two times daily. Last night was another dream and I prayed all the way to work – and then I opened up your blog about Satan. Thank you Thank you!! You have no idea how much Proverbs 31 means to me. Thank you for taking the time to encourage women. You are a true blessing to me.
what a great post. i feel like people do not often think of ‘bumps in the road’ or issues that come up, etc, as Satan trying to veer us from continuing on our path with the Lord. We must always be on alert!
I’m still waiting on my return of investment regarding this. I patiently await. I thoroughly believe the adversary has well thought out plans to steal, kill and destroy me. However, because of Jesus, the adversary’s plans are no good. Jesus death and resurrection have the final word. It is finished. The adversary has lost. The adversary has no hold over me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thank you – this subject is one I need to begin training my children. How exactly? I’m not sure, but I know it to be true. I can’t wait to start talking to my first-grader about what his actions will cost him.
Amen! So so good Lysa! Thank you. http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com
As with so many others today – you are speaking to my heart with this subject! Within my own family I’ve seen and continue to see satan’s attacks in very real tangible ways and those that are occuring subtely that people are able to identify as clearly. Even with my own health I’m realizing the attack. But, he will not win (we already know Who comes out the winner)and we have the assurance, the promise that God is in control. Thanks for being candid and putting this out there for everyone. Despite the attacks there will be NO JOY ROBBING here today.
I understand and have experience the schemes , after 11 yrs of marriage my husband decided to leave we have 2 boys. I did not see this coming it was a blow to my gut. He filed for a divorce, my world changed from being a stay at home mom to a single working mom. Satan is slick and he will confuse anyone that he can. Since, then, I have been seeking a stronger relationship with our King.. Praying and trying my best to catch myself when Satan creeps into my thoughts. Thank you for your words of encouragment..
What a blessing this blog is to me. I am a firm believer that God speaks to us and all we need to do is pay attention, listen and believe. This makes everything in my life make sense right now. There are so many awful things going on and now I think I know how to pray. It is so simple, but Satan gives us blinders and ‘schemes’ in our lives. Our church is falling apart, splitting at the hands of satan. People are leaving in droves and I keep telling myself to wait it out and it will get better. I have faith that God will answer our prayers and make my church whole again and more prosperous than ever! My sister is in a marriage with a man that emotionally abuses her, so much so that she tried to take her own life last week and she is a God fearing woman! But Satan schemes and takes people down with him. Your blog has helped me to now know how to pray for her and her family. God is using this horrible experience to produce so many blessings and bring us closer to Him!! I am constantly amazed by His grace! Thanks for this…He definitely gave you a gift and thanks for using it!
please pray for my committment from your devotional this day to hold my tongue with my husband! Thank you.
Oh sweet friend…to be honest, I read this and don’t want to acknowledge the truth in it, as there is an area in my life right now where I have turned the price tag over…actually, better yet, torn it off. I know the cost is great, but I’m ignoring it and even trying to justify the ‘spending’. Satan has done the exact 3 things you targeted, yet I’m still trying to defend and warrant my choices. I’m playing in a “grey” area and wanting it to be OK. My defenses are down with too much hitting my life right now…the arrows that have been shot over the last three days have exhausted my strength.
Knowing I should be praying for brokenness and courage,
Joy
Wow, this is so accurate. I’m divorced. Satan had me completely convinced that I could do better and that I deserved better. It’s now almost 2 years since I left my husband, 3 months that the divorce has been final & I completely regret leaving my husband. I realized that I had made the wrong decision about 7 months after I left him, but he had filed for divorce and was determined to divorce me no matter what. Satan used “The Grass Is Greener” mentality on me to come between the covenant agreement that I had made with God & my husband 8 years prior. I’m praying for a miracle to be reconciled to my husband, but he won’t even speak to me and hasn’t in almost a year. Please be praying for the Lord to break down the walls that my husband has put up & that his heart be softened and freed of the bitterness that has very deep roots.
I am a young woman, in my early twenties. And have been sent another chance with a wonderful saved man who’s heart was broken my me a couple of years ago. However, during the waiting season of him coming back I got involved with someone else, an unsaved man who does not want to be with me but reaps the benefits of a relationship because he himself is trying to get over a heartbreak. I know that getting involved was wrong in the first place, because this relationship has pulled me out of the will of God. But now, I have the one I prayed for back in my life and I can’t even let go of this unintended union. I’m afraid that the cost I will have to pay will be a great one, spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Jesus definitely has an assigment for my life, but I don’t know why I won’t surrender and give up this person.
Asking for your prayers and advice