Ephesians 6:12 ESV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

How to Fight Right in Relationships:

#1) RECOGNIZE SIN

• Sin is a violation of the character of God. God is loving, gracious, truthful, just, merciful, and kind. Sin is what’s contrary to the character/Word of God.

1 John 1:8-10 ESV

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

• In relationships, there’s going to be sin committed. We must confront sin and deal with it.

• Sin is when you act contrary to the character (Word) of God.

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

James 4:17 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

• We need to recognize sin in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

#2) REPENT OF SIN

• Repentance is three things. It’s confession, it’s contrition, and it’s change. That’s ultimately what it is.

A) Confession

• Confession includes your mind and your mouth.

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

• Don’t let sin come between you and your relationships.

B) Contrition

• Contrition is ultimately inclusive of your emotions and your expressions.

Psalm 51:17 ESV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Contrite = ḏâḵâ = broken, crushed, crush to pieces. (Remorseful)

C) Change

• Gary Thomas, a good Christian author. He says, “Couples don’t fall out of love so much as they fall out of repentance.”

WHAT REPENTANCE IS NOT

1) Repentance is not getting caught, but coming clean.

2) Repentance is not justifying our sin.

3) Repentance is not worldly sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

CONCLUSION

• How to fight for your blessed marriage? You fight sin and not each other. Fight sin for each other.

Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

• Confront each other with kindness and forgiveness.

Hebrews 12:15 ESV

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

• Bitterness is a sin and it will destroy your marriage. If you’ve been sinned against, forgive them. And that is the process by which we dig up the root of bitterness, so that the fruit of the relationship would be life and not death.