Love After Marriage- Emotional IntimacySample

Day 4: Confession and Repentance

In spiritual terms, there is a simple solution to the blindness that we experience when we are unwilling to acknowledge the wrong we have done - it is called confession and repentance. In the Bible, the Pharisees give us a clear example of projection. Blinded by their own self-justification and pride, they chose to reject the ministry of John the Baptist. John preached a baptism of confession and repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Because of their refusal to humble themselves, confess and repent of their sins, the Pharisees, who were the spiritual leaders of Israel, were spiritually incapable of seeing the anointing and call of God in John the Baptist and in Jesus, their awaited Messiah. When they observed Jesus casting out devils, they concluded that He was getting His power from a demon (Mark 3:22). They also believed John the Baptist had a demon. They labeled Jesus as a “gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:33-34). So, who was right? Jesus and the Pharisees both believed they were right! Sadly, the Pharisees were projecting onto Jesus and John the sins they themselves had never confessed or repented of.

The enemy is relentlessly working to divide the greatest human union God created - marriage. We forfeit the intimacy and oneness that God intends for us if we allow the enemy to come in between us by accusing each other. We must learn to stand together and fight our real adversary so that he does not make our spouse our enemy. We must learn to overcome the schemes of the devil together so that our intimacy is not hindered. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This begins by confessing anything that you knowingly are doing to your spouse that is not from God and coming to a place of repentance. This could be blaming, accusing, projecting, or hiding sinful/destructive behavior. Healthy intimacy requires that you know yourself and deal with any spiritual darkness that has a hold on you.

Ponder & Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit (Revealer of truth) this question: “Holy Spirit, is there anything in me that I am unaware of that I am placing on my spouse that is not from you.”

(Take a moment to listen and write down. Both spouses should participate)

Activation: In a spirit of gentleness and humility, share with your spouse what the Holy Spirit revealed to you. If you need to repent for anything that has come up, now is a great time to share.