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Demons, Deception & Marriage

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By Eric Blauer

marriageart
1907 painting by Gustav Klimt

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons….They will say it is wrong to be married….”
1 Timothy 4:1, 3Why?What is behind spiritual deception in regards to marriage? Why of all the eschatological matters Paul could highlight, did he first mention an assault on the institution of marriage?

Nothing about blasting trumpets, unfolding scrolls, world wars, catastrophic disease, anti-Christs, dragons toes, natural disasters, injustice, famines, celestial anomalies – nope, he mentions marriage.

What is it about marriage that demons want to deny?

Why do they work to deceive people with teachings about how marriage is wrong?Those questions beg us to discover the true meaning of marriage. For too long Christians have made the defense of marriage a battle about sex, when to do it, when not to and with whom. These days most of the debate is about heterosexual sex vs homosexual sex, but I fear we often miss the forest because of the trees.

All these issues are important and rooted in aspects of biblical truth about marriage but fall short of unfolding the spiritual meaning of marriage. Telling someone to be ‘pure’ without teaching the purpose or point of purity is to miss the biblical reason for it, we do the same thing with marriage these days.

The apostle Paul gets to the ultimate meaning of marriage in Ephesians 5:31-21:

“As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.”

Here Paul pulls from the story of Genesis to Revelation which tells the story of God’s eternal purpose which speaks of the love story between the divine and humanity. It’s a tale told throughout the bible and its full of all the stuff love songs croon about: attraction, desire, courtship, marriage, passion, betrayal, jealousy, adultery, divorce and remarriage. It’s all there, every genre of music spins tales of the heights and depths of human love, little do some people know that such realities speak of a higher and deeper divine mystery too.

Christian marriage is a simile and analogy of a covenant between God and his people. All that is sacred in marriage is made so by the sacredness of all it speak of and reflects. Like a wedding ring is supposed to speak about a human paradise far beyond the natural beauty of the jewels. So the institution of marriage and all the glories of human togetherness and sexual delight, echo of a reality behind them. These fruits we taste are mere roots to a eternal tree we’ve yet dared to imagine. This story, this good news, is opposed by the fallen ones. The deadly serpent’s poison has been whispering lies since the beginning of time and the frontline of this fight always involves a naked man and woman. Every marriage is a paradise in which God seeks to be found, known and enjoyed and don’t be deceived in every Eden a snake slithers.

The fall is a love story that our most intimate relationships retell at every sacred altar, divorce court and with each kiss, be it good morning or goodbye. It’s a sacred story you are living, don’t let anyone tell you differently, if they do…it’s a demon’s lie.

Eric Blauer
Eric Blauerhttp://fcb4.tumblr.com/
I am Frederick Christian Blauer IV, but I go by Eric, it sounds less like a megalomaniac but still hints at my Scandinavian destiny of coastal conquest and ultimate rule. I have accumulated a fair number of titles: son, brother, husband, father, pastor, writer, artist and a few other more colorful titles by my fanged fans. I am a lover of story be it heard, read or watched in all beauty, gory or glory. I write and speak as an exorcist or poltergeist, splashing holy water, spilling wine and breaking bread between the apocalypse and a sleeping baby. I am possessed by too many words and they get driven out like wild pigs and into the waters of my blog at www.fcb4.tumblr.com. I work as a pastor at Jacob's Well Church (www.jacobswellspokane.com) across the tracks on 'that' side of town. I follow Christ in East Central Spokane among saints, sinners, angels, demons, crime, condoms, chaos, beauty, goodness and powerful weakness. I have more questions than answers, grey hairs than brown, fat than muscle, fire than fireplace and experience more love from my wife, family and friends than a man should be blessed with in one lifetime.

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Admir Rasic
Admir Rasic
8 years ago

I enjoyed reading this Eric. Reminds me of stories I hear from imams.

Eric Blauer
8 years ago
Reply to  Admir Rasic

Thanks for commenting Admir, I am glad it was worth the read.

Bardsbrood
Bardsbrood
8 years ago

This is beautifully written, I appreciate the metaphorical aspects and in-depth wisdom.

Eric Blauer
8 years ago
Reply to  Bardsbrood

Thank you.

bruce
bruce
8 years ago

I enjoyed reading it also, but wanted to here more about the demons and dragon’s toes.

Eric Blauer
8 years ago
Reply to  bruce

Daniel 2, and Revelations 12 and 13 are full of dragons, toes, and beasts consult your nearest Seventh Day Adventist or premillennial dispensationalists for the further discussion. 😉

bruce
bruce
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Blauer

Yes, I’ve been to some Seventh Day Adventist events. Some very good fodder for writing sci-fi.

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