For the last few weeks I have been writing about the battle to defend the foundations of marriage in D.C. and beyond. Last week several thousand D.C. residents joined me on Freedom Plaza to protect God's first institution. Although our faith has inspired most of us to take our stand to protect the definition of marriage, our ultimate reason to make our stand has been based on the need for every child to have a father and a mother. While thousands are being mobilized on both sides of the marriage debate, the sad fact is that marriage (on an individual basis) is being woefully mismanaged.

Americans are losing the ability to live out the high promise of love and fidelity in the context of a covenant relationship called marriage. Marriage, on a personal level, is on life support, gasping for breath because of the lack of role models, training and mentoring by qualified survivors of the War of the Roses. Do you remember the dark comedic movie with the same name that stared Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito? The movie was a satiric study of the reasons relationships begin, deteriorate and end. The classic picture ends with the once amorous couple attempting to physically divide the house that was the symbolic center of their union.

Being unduly critical of others is a behavior pattern that not only destroys our relationships but also blinds us to our own weaknesses.

Much torment comes to people's lives because of judgmental attitudes, criticism and suspicion. Multitudes of relationships are destroyed by these enemies.

This past week, D.C. city council member Jack Evans vehemently warned D.C. citizens that if they took their concerns about marriage to Capitol Hill there would be grave consequences. Knowing that he and his colleagues have garnered the votes they need to pass a same-sex marriage law in D.C., he thought that he would flex his political muscles. After repeating his threats in several different ways he summarized the essence of his warning: “Proceed at your own peril.”

Find a way to win! Do not allow circumstances, emotions or the opinion of others to cause you to accept defeat. Figure out what you must do to win in your situation. The spirit of victory is inside you. Stay alert to the Holy Spirit who will lead you to your triumph. Great military figures always remain determined to win the war they are involved in.

One of the most controversial and yet colorful figures in military history was George Patton. His ruthless sweep across France during the summer of 1944 was contrary to military wisdom. Yet, his strategy culminated in spectacular success! One of Patton's main keys to victory was the undeniable spirit of victory that he instilled in his soldiers.

He is noted for saying the following: "Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow, and of the man who leads that gains the victory."

You were not created to lose or to be defeated. You were created to win the victory! Refuse the spirit of compromise. Embrace the spirit of victory and win the war you are in!

Following god is easier when we are led by his spirit rather than by our emotions.

It is God's greatest desire that, as believers, you and I progressively learn how to be led by His Spirit. However, there is a powerful enemy that stands in the way: our emotions. Satan is the most powerful enemy we face externally, but internally, it's our emotions that give us some of the biggest problems.