Devil's Side Chick: How Marriage Dynamics Change

The devil has been blamed for many things, and the downfall of marriages is no exception. From the Bible's account of Satan's work in Eden to the very real-world challenges faced by couples today, it's clear that some believe marriages can be corrupted by the devil's influence. This is especially evident in the case of infidelity, where one partner takes on a side chick or side man. While the reasons for cheating are complex and varied, some sources attribute it to the devil's influence, encouraging people to prioritize their desires over their partner and God. In this context, the side chick or side man is an unfortunate participant in the devil's schemes, contributing to the breakdown of a marriage.

The role of spiritual warfare in marriages

Spiritual warfare plays a significant role in marriages, and it is important to recognize its impact and take proactive measures to safeguard relationships. Satan, also known as the enemy, is described as actively working to undermine marriages and destroy families. This is not merely a theoretical concept but a reality that many couples face, as illustrated by the experiences of some individuals.

In the case of Pastor Reginald Steele and his wife, Kelley, their marriage was marred by infidelity and turmoil. Despite having been together for 32 years, infidelity became a significant strain on their relationship. Kelley's encounter with God changed her perspective, and she was able to endure her husband's cheating by ironing his clothes and even helping him get ready to meet other women. She attributed her ability to tolerate this situation to her newfound relationship with Christ, which helped her ignore the turmoil in her marriage.

Spiritual warfare in marriages can manifest in various ways, such as feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, or laziness when trying to engage in spiritual practices as a couple. For example, a husband may feel hesitant to pray with his wife, even though he knows it is important and his wife appreciates it. These negative emotions are described as moments of spiritual attack from the enemy, who aims to prevent couples from coming together in prayer and unity.

Satan's strategic attacks on marriages are not limited to individuals but are recognized as a widespread phenomenon. There are even reports of groups of Satanists in Africa whose primary mission is to pray for the failure of marriages. They understand that marriage symbolizes the covenant between Christ and His bride, the Church, and by attacking marriages, they aim to tarnish the church's witness and influence.

To counter these spiritual attacks, it is crucial for couples to recognize that their true enemy is not each other but Satan. Instead of turning on each other when expectations are not met or negative thoughts arise, spouses should unite against this common enemy. By doing so, they can protect their marriages and strengthen their bond.

Additionally, husbands who seek to become spiritual leaders in their marriages should be prepared for major spiritual attacks. Satan will try to prevent them from loving and serving their wives unconditionally. He will tempt them to prioritize their own needs and discourage them from encouraging faith and character in their wives and children. However, by recognizing these attacks and remaining steadfast in their commitment to their spouses, husbands can overcome these spiritual challenges.

The devil's schemes and attacks

Satan has been waging a war on marriage since the beginning of time, and his schemes and attacks are varied and powerful.

One of Satan's primary strategies is to attack couples before they are even married, through sexual sin and impurity. He wants us to obey our desires instead of God's direction, and this often leads to a pattern of sin and shame that can be difficult to break. This was the case for Tim and Jess, whose dating relationship and engagement were marked by sexual impurity and consistent compromises that they kept hidden due to shame.

Satan wants us to believe that God's ways are not good and that we should resist the Spirit and pursue our own selfish desires. This can lead to a lack of trust and intimacy in a relationship, as seen in the case of Tim and Jess.

Another way Satan attacks marriages is by targeting the individual, whispering hateful and discouraging thoughts, and causing turmoil and conflict. In the case of Pastor Reginald Steele and his wife, Kelley, their marriage was strained by infidelity and Kelley's encounter with God helped her to ignore the turmoil and hateful thoughts, bringing peace to their relationship.

Satan also uses deception and temptation to lure people into affairs, causing pain and heartbreak for all involved. This is evident in the stories of several women who shared their experiences as "side chicks," where they fell into relationships with married men due to their own low points in life or the pursuit of intense feelings and passion.

Ultimately, Satan's goal is to destroy marriages and bring about death and destruction. However, Christians are not left defenseless, and by applying spiritual armor and standing firm in their faith, they can withstand the devil's schemes and attacks on their marriages.

Sexual sin and deceit

In the case of Tim and Jess, their dating and engagement were marked by sexual impurity and deceit. They confessed their sins to each other but continued the cycle, never seeking outside help due to their shame. This pattern of sexual sin before marriage can set a precedent for the future, leading to a lack of trust and deeper issues within the marriage.

The Devil also uses sexual sin to tempt those already in marriages. This can lead to infidelity and further deceit, as seen in the story of Pastor Reginald Steele and his wife, Kelley. Despite being married for 32 years, infidelity was a strain on their relationship from the beginning. Reginald was unfaithful, and Kelley, instead of confronting the issue, enabled his behaviour by helping him prepare for his encounters with other women.

The Devil's work in these situations is to foster an environment of deceit and sin, leading individuals to prioritise their desires over their marriages and their relationship with God. This can result in intense feelings of guilt, as seen in the experiences of several women who chose to be the "side chick" to a married man. These women often felt trapped and disgusted with themselves, recognising the pain they were causing to the wives of their lovers.

To combat the Devil's schemes, Christian marriages are encouraged to put on the "whole armour of God" (Eph 6:11) and stand firm in spiritual warfare. This involves believing and receiving the gospel, which serves as the foundation for mutual forgiveness, sacrificial love, and godly submission within the marriage. By prioritising their relationship with God and submitting to His direction, couples can resist the Devil's attacks and find freedom from sexual sin and deceit.

The impact of the devil's work on trust in marriages

The devil's work can have a significant and detrimental impact on trust in marriages. Satan is said to target marriages specifically, aiming to fracture the union of two people and destroy trust and intimacy.

One of the devil's strategies is to encourage sexual sin and impurity before marriage, leading to a pattern of sin, shame, and secrecy that can continue into the marriage. This can result in a lack of trust and intimacy, with couples never truly developing a deep, mature, and battle-tested trust for each other. In the case of Tim and Jess, their dating and engagement were marked by sexual impurity and compromises that developed into a deeper pattern of sin. This led to shame and a cycle of deceit, impacting their ability to trust each other fully.

The devil also seeks to distort the true nature of marital sex, which is based on trust, devotion, and sacrifice. By portraying premarital sex as forbidden fruit, the devil leads couples to associate sex with lust and passion rather than the deeper foundations that should be present in marriage. This can result in disappointment and confusion for couples who expect marital sex to be solely about passion and intensity.

Additionally, the devil can influence one partner to engage in infidelity, leading to a breach of trust and a breakdown of the marital union. In some cases, the devil's influence may lead an individual to become a "side chick" or "side guy", knowing that they are contributing to the breakdown of a marriage. This can result in feelings of guilt and excitement, as well as intense pain and heartbreak when the reality of the situation sets in.

To combat the devil's schemes, Christian marriages are encouraged to put on the "armor of God" and stand firm in spiritual warfare. By applying the gospel as the foundation of their marriage, couples can resist the devil's attacks and maintain unity and peace.

The role of the gospel in combatting the devil

The Gospel plays a significant role in combatting the devil, who is described as a cunning and deceitful enemy seeking to devour and destroy. As Christians, we are engaged in a spiritual battle, and it is crucial to recognize the existence and strategies of Satan.

Firstly, the Gospel equips believers with the truth of God's Word, which is a powerful weapon against the devil's lies. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He responded with Scripture, demonstrating that God's Word is our primary defense and offense in spiritual warfare. By obeying Scripture and living according to God's truth, we can defeat the devil's schemes and glorify God.

Secondly, the Gospel reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate victor over Satan. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus defeated Satan and provided us with the means to resist and overcome the enemy. We are assured that our victory is secure in Christ, and we need not live in fear.

Additionally, the Gospel empowers us to stand firm against the devil through the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word. By putting on this spiritual armor, we can protect ourselves from the devil's attacks and effectively engage in spiritual warfare.

Furthermore, the Gospel calls us to submit to God and resist the devil. James 4:7 instructs us, "Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." By aligning ourselves with God and standing firm in our faith, we can effectively combat the devil's influence in our lives.

Lastly, the Gospel provides us with spiritual resources and weapons to fight against the devil. These include participating in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and penance, praying for the intercession of powerful saints like St. Joseph and St. Michael the Archangel, and calling upon God's power through prayer and declaration of His Word.

In conclusion, the Gospel is essential in combatting the devil. It equips us with truth, reveals our victory in Christ, provides spiritual armor, calls us to submit to God and resist the devil, and offers spiritual resources for our protection and warfare. By embracing and living out the Gospel, we can stand firm against the devil's schemes and experience the power of God in our lives.

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