Between Love and Lies: The Struggle of Marital Deception
In the heart of the expansive Savanna, where Acacia trees stretch towards an endless horizon, lies the village of Kabira. This close-knit community is home to Juma, a renowned storyteller, and his stunning wife, Nia. Their love story, filled with romance, challenges, and profound lessons, has consequently become a cherished legend in their village.
Juma’s Gift for Storytelling
Firstly, Juma was celebrated far and wide for his extraordinary ability to tell stories. His voice, rhythmic like a drumbeat and flowing like a river, brought to life the history and legends of their people. From ancient heroes’ epic journeys to the mischievous deeds of spirits, Juma’s tales captivated everyone in Kabira.
Nia’s Beauty and Wisdom
Nia was equally admired for her unparalleled beauty, wisdom, and exceptional skill in weaving intricate patterns into the village’s garments. Moreover, her creations were more than just clothing; each piece told a story of love, tradition, and dreams. Nia was also known for her kind heart and deep understanding of the human spirit.
Their First Meeting and Marriage
Juma and Nia met by a tranquil riverbank, instantly enchanted by each other. Their courtship was a dance of affection: Juma shared warrior tales, and additionally, Nia gifted woven garments. They married in a grand village ceremony, blessed with songs, dances, and heartfelt gifts, sealing their deep connection and love.
The Trials and Tribulations; Early Challenges
As with all great stories, Juma and Nia’s marriage faced trials. The initial days were filled with joy and laughter, but soon the challenges of life surfaced. Juma’s temper, quick to flare when his artistic flow was interrupted, clashed with Nia’s calm and patient demeanor. Consequently, their harmony was disrupted, leading to frustrations and misunderstandings.
A Divine Dream
One evening, after an exhausting day, Juma’s frustration boiled over when Nia did not prepare his favorite meal. Their argument continued into the night, and for the first time, they went to bed with unresolved anger. That night, Nia was visited in a dream by Jesus, who gently reminded her that marriage requires patience, understanding, and appreciation of the small things.
Renewed Purpose
Nia awoke with a renewed sense of purpose and shared her dream with Juma. Recognizing the wisdom in Jesus’s advice, Juma promised never to let anger linger between them. They agreed to resolve their disagreements before the night ended, no matter how challenging the conversation might be.
Working Their Marriage
Juma and Nia paused their disagreements to approach them calmly, using kind words to strengthen their bond. Daily compliments fostered goodwill: Juma admired Nia’s weavings, and she praised his stories. Nia thrived on Juma’s affirmations, feeling cherished, which deepened their emotional connection and reinforced their love and appreciation for each other.
A Tragic Turn
Despite their best efforts, their story took a tragic turn. Juma began to struggle with writer’s block, feeling the weight of his inability to captivate his audience. Determined to regain his spark, he devoted all his energy to his craft, inadvertently neglecting Nia in the process.
Nia’s Loneliness
Feeling increasingly overlooked and unappreciated, Nia tried to communicate her needs to Juma. However, Juma, absorbed in his struggle and feeling overwhelmed, dismissed her concerns. His frustration and impatience consequently led to more frequent arguments.
The Temptation
In her vulnerability, Nia found herself drawn to Kato, a charming trader who had recently arrived in the village. Kato was attentive and kind, providing a temporary refuge from Nia’s troubles at home. One evening, after another heated argument with Juma, Nia sought solace in Kato’s company.
The Encounter
Under the moonlit sky, Nia and Kato sat by the riverbank, discussing their lives and dreams. Overwhelmed by her emotions and the comfort Kato provided, Nia almost gave in to the temptation. Although she brushed off the incident, Kato pursued her once more.
The Discovery
One evening, Juma stumbled upon Nia and Kato holding hands intimately by the riverbank. Heartbroken, he confronted the situation. Furthermore, he reported the matter to the village elders. Nia, facing scrutiny, explained her vulnerability and Juma’s neglect.
The Resolution
Consequently, the village elders decided Kato should be sent out of the village. The community rallied around Juma and Nia, offering support as they navigated the difficult path ahead. Nia confessed everything to Juma, and they both apologized for their actions, vowing to rebuild their marriage on trust, love, and understanding.
A Timeless Message
• Effort and Patience: A happy and enduring marriage requires effort and patience.
• Willingness to Grow: Growth is essential for a lasting relationship.
• Resolving Conflicts with Kindness: Addressing disagreements with kindness is crucial.
• Preventing Anger from Festering: Never let anger linger unresolved.
• Daily Appreciation: Regularly show appreciation for your partner.
• Enduring Love: “May your love be as enduring as the Baobab tree, and may your marriage be blessed with joy and harmony.”
Two Indications That A Marriage Might Crash. Our Marriages will not crash in Jesus’ name. However, there are indications or tendencies we should guard against.
These indications are sure signals that marriage will crash.
Two Indications That A Marriage Might Crash. What are they?
1. When the couple lives in deception No marriage can be built on deception. Deception is a sandy, fragile, frail, and flaky foundation that would seem to hold a marriage for a while, but will give in, and crash eventually.
Deception brings with it, false promises and this even becomes intense when both husband and wife are deceiving and lying to each other.
It is a matter of time before the loud crash is heard around and beyond.
Pro 27:6 (KJV) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
It is even worse if the couple knows they are in deception, and they keep encouraging each other rather than seeking help.
2. When the couple lives in isolation A couple that lives in isolation will die in desolation.
It is not a curse, it is a predictable end.
A couple that has nobody speaking into their lives is at risk.
This morning, I feel inspired to write about a particular demonic strategy, a deadly attitude being embraced by many. This attitude is from the pit of hell. It holds its victims by the jugular, suffocating them with obvious but subtle strangulation techniques and yet distracting them from what is killing them. The result then is that they refuse to accept something is wrong when it is obvious to all that they are on the path of destruction.
Let no man deceive himself. – 1Co 3:18a
I am talking about self-deception! You see, deception can come from different sources, but the greatest and deadliest form of deception is self-deception.
The demon behind self-deception works hand in hand with other demons especially mammon spirits and religious spirits. So you can see a person who says she wants to sleep around in order to get money, after all she goes to church and serves there with her time and money!
Hence, most people that are self-deceived can be found in the beautiful auditoriums of our churches today, in the choirs and on the pew.
Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. – Gal 6:7 AMP
It is only self-deception that will make a lady get involved in pre-marital affairs and then confidently sing in the choir the next day without blinking! You see such person is self-deceived, believing that her service to God will cover up for his or her ungodly life! It sounds incredible, but it is all over the place!
It is only self-deception that can make a man stand up from an adulterous bed and then go to church and condemn it from the pulpit!
It is self-deception that will make a man of God who has several branches under him and many looking up to him get involved with habitual adulterous life!
It is one thing to make a mistake, and anybody can fall, and people do fall. And God did make a provision to situations where people fall, to get them restored. But when it becomes habitual, I don’t really care how anointed the person is, there is an intertwining of self-deception demons and other demons oppressing that man!
He simply tells himself that God will overlook it since he is still having ‘result!
That is also a demonic strategy in itself, to make people develop a cold attitude to the things of God, to make them resent anything called pastors or church and thereby shutting them away from where they can get help. The result is that bondages and captivities are elongated and perpetuated!
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I severe myself from all ungodly relationships in Jesus name.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I receive God’s help to be free in Jesus name. Lord, send help to me now in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Joh 8:36 (AMP) So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Become accountable today to someone your respect and value a lot.
