You Really Do Have the Power!

Author: Saleama A. Ruvalcaba, MATS

So there I was. I agreed to be the prayer partner with a young man at my church and I knew I had made a bad decision. I now found myself in a situation trying to contemplate how to handle it.

Isn’t it funny that I was so worked up? Remember when I shared in part 1 that I had just finished reading When Godly People Do UnGodly Things, by Beth Moore, and how that book was an eye-opener to me and Omar about sexual sin? We learned how easy it is to fall victim to sexual sin. We also learned how to resist it.

Then why was I so worked up? I had just learned about sexual sin and I knew the situation I found myself in was wrong. Why was I trying to rationalize this?

Because, this is a perfect example of how Satan does not care about how much you learn! Satan does not care about your church attendance. He does not care how often you read the Bible. He does not care how many conferences or Bible studies you attend. He does not care how much you pray. He does not care if you are a worship leader, director of women’s ministry, an outstanding Bible teacher, or a seminary professor.

Satan will NEVER stop attacking you. You can read the Bible night and day. You can listen to praise music in your house all day. You can fast. Your knowledge and your relationship with Jesus Christ will never stop his attacks.

You must resist his attacks because Satan will never STOP attacking you.

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Resist the devil means to submit to the obedience of God, as the verse states, “Submit yourselves, then, to God.”

Submit means to let go of your pride. You cannot take on Satan alone. You also cannot foolishly believe Satan won’t attack you.

When Beth Moore says in; When Godly People Do UnGodly Things; that she is terrified Christians will succumb to Satan’s attacks, I (Saleama), am afraid too. I have no idea how people can wake up each day and go about their business without putting on the full armor of God. I do not know how some Christians do not believe “good Christians” won’t get attacked.

I’m not not trying to sound holier than thou, but I consider myself to be a “good” Christian and I get attacked every day! Every day I deal with attacks in every aspect from Satan. Every day I am in my room on my floor praying and praising God speaking Scripture to combat Satan’s attacks. I sit at my desk at work praying for God’s protection from Satan. I do not know how people can go about their day willfully living as if they are above the onslaught of Satan.

You do not have to live in fear of Satan, but you also CANNOT live naive to his power.

Get Behind Me!

When I shared with Omar that I had agreed to be a prayer partner with this young man, all rationalizing went out the window. Omar unequivocally “asked” me to get a new prayer partner- and to do it quickly. It was a done deal! I had no choice but to face the situation.

Pay close attention to the slickness of Satan. It was a total set-up – the perfect scenario. I was new in town. My husband was not yet with me. I was new to the church. Me and this young man start to share personal information to pray about. The situation could have ended disastrously. You might be sitting there thinking, “That’s your life. I love my husband. I would never do anything to harm our marriage.”

I love my husband too. In fact, I adore my husband. We have a wonderful marriage. We had a wonderful marriage during this situation. But here’s the thing, if Satan did not think he could get people to sin he wouldn’t attack them. As soon as God made His marriage covenant with Adam and Eve, Satan was there to destroy it. (Genesis 3:1)

Satan tried to get Jesus Christ to sin. If Satan tried to attack Jesus Christ, then my “great” marriage won’t stop him either. Do not be fooled into thinking you have more power than Satan alone. Unless you learn how to resist Satan, then you are a pawn in his hands.

If nothing else, an emotional attachment would have ensued between me and that young man.

God Will Get The Glory

Me and Omar prayed together before dealing with the situation and we asked for God’s presence to be in the midst. I called the coordinator and explained that I made a mistake. As a married woman I could not be a prayer partner with the young man. I called the young man and explained the same thing to him.

Do you know that when you resist Satan, God gets the glory?

I received a new prayer partner the next day without any issues.

When I spoke with the young man he said these words; “Thank you for letting me know. I understand.  I hope one day my future wife will do the same thing for me.”

• Going forward, that ministry made sure every prayer partner was of the same sex.
• Omar became very good friends and a godly mentor to that young man.
• That young man got married a few years later. He has a beautiful wife and children.
• God is good, but do not be fooled into thinking you are exempt, ladies.

Never Let Down…

…Communicate With Your Husband

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

No sooner after that incident, I was at a gymnastics class with my daughter. A married man who was there regularly would be fully engrossed in a conversation with another woman. Well, one day, that woman wasn’t there – so he decided to start talking to me. He made small talk; “Are you from this city?” “How do you like the class?” He then asked which of the gymnast was my daughter. I pointed her out. He replied; “Oh, the one with the long pretty hair – like yours?”

I didn’t say another word to him.

I didn’t give him that silly laugh we give sometimes in order to not make people feel bad.

I had no reaction to his comment.

He eventually moved from where I was sitting.

If I had even the smallest retort he would have continued talking to me.

I shared with Omar what happened.

In another incident, a married Christian man, made a flirtatious comment to me and I shared it with Omar. Omar then became more aware of this man. There have been several occasions Omar has seen this man talking with women in a “too close for comfort” manner.

When you are facing attacks, share it with your husband. Do not hide these attacks. Satan would love for you to keep it to yourself. He would love for you to feel special when another man gives you a flirtatious compliment. You might think nothing of keeping it yourself. But let your husband know so the two of you can resist Satan together.

Ladies, sexual temptation is real. The home is the foundation of salvation. Satan will never stop trying to destroy your family.

Be wise.

There is so much to this subject. Continue to find ways to learn more about temptations.

You and your husband have power together when you pray and study God’s Word together. Obey God’s Word. Pray His Word. Pray together every day for God to protect you for Satan’s attacks. Pray for your husband throughout the day. Pray for yourself throughout the day. Remind your husband to pray for you throughout his day. Call or text each other when you feel temptations. Remember your marriage covenant. Resist Satan and he will flee!

Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

-Saleama A. Ruvalcaba, MATS