The home, with traditional marriage as the centerpiece, is the building block of every civilized society.  Sadly, it is under satanic attack.  There is, however, a way that we can fight back against the devil.  As Christians, we can make sure that our homes have characteristics that are pleasing to God—characteristics of a Christian.  A home that is full of genuine Christians will be a happy home that prevails against the devil’s attempts to destroy it.

The primary characteristic of any home made up of Christians is love.   The home should be a place of comfort where all the members of the family can be at peace and feel a sense of safety.  Love is what makes the home such a place.

While in homes that consist of Christians, the natural affections between the parents and children is clearly present, the foundation of love in the home is that which exists between the husband and wife.  It is the strong, unconditional love of the parents that teaches the children what true love is, creating an atmosphere that tells the children that their home is a safe place.  The importance of love between husbands and wives can never be overstated.

Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV)
²⁵  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Titus 2:3-4 (ESV)
³  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

Love is always a major component in the homes of Christians. I ran across this on love.

LOVE IS
slow to suspect….quick to trust
slow to condemn….quick to justify
slow to offend….quick to defend
slow to reprimand….quick to forbear
slow to belittle….quick to appreciate
slow to demand….quick to give
slow to provoke….quick to conciliate
slow to hinder….quick to help
slow to resent….quick to forgive

That is a good description of love.  Whoever wrote it, must have been familiar with the inspired writings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.  Be sure to read that passage to see how love, personified, acts.

Building strong homes that can stand the assaults of the devil, and overcome the evils of this world, demands genuine love between husbands and wives.  Homes that are pleasing to God involve more than love, but love is where it begins.  Without it, the devil is already succeeding.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.