4 Signs You Are Being Tempted By Satan with a Bad Relationship

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Here are 4 clues that might mean Satan is trying to use a bad relationship to tempt you away from Christ.

1. If a Relationship Is Causing New Unhealthy Patterns in Your Life, This Relationship Is Being Used as a Temptation

There’s a big difference in the Bible between sinning and living in sin. All Christians are on the path of sanctification, which means that at times we still stumble. However, once a true Christian disobeys God, the Holy Spirit will bring a healthy conviction in their heart and that person will respond by repenting.

When you are living in sin, though, this is when you are no longer repenting and you are making this sin a regular habit in your life. While we must never take even just one sin lightly, we are warned about the extreme dangers of living in sin.  1 John 3:7-8 states:

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

So if a relationship is contributing to a new pattern of sin in your life that was not there before this relationship started, this is a sign Satan is using this relationship against you.

2. If You Are Tempted to Ignore Someone’s Sinful Actions Because of Their Religious Words, This Relationship Is Being Used as a Temptation Against You

When God does not want you in a relationship, he will rarely create supernatural signs to tell you this. Rather, he will bring a healthy conviction in your heart and show you things about this person that do not align with the Bible. So if you are tempted to ignore someone’s sinful behavior because you really want to be in a relationship with this person, this is probably a sign Satan is tempting you with this relationship. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says:

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

Never place someone’s words over their deeds. People can claim to be walking with God but you will know the truth by looking at how they live their life.

3. If an Unmet Relationship Desire Is Causing You to Become Angry, This Relationship Is a Temptation

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be in a relationship. It is not a sin to be disappointed if you sense God telling you not to date someone even though you really want to. However, Satan could be using a relationship to tempt you away from God if you are starting to get angry about God saying no to this relationship desire. Ephesians 4:26-27 states: 

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

All anger is not the same. But when our anger causes us to turn from God or act in unloving ways, this is an opportunity for the devil to pull you away from Christ.

4. If a Relationship Is Corrupting Your Pure Devotion to Christ, Satan Is Using It as a Temptation in Your Life

Satan’s main goal is not to keep you single or to get you in a bad relationship. His main desire is to corrupt your love for Christ. The enemy will use whatever means they can to accomplish this goal. Perhaps one of the most powerful temptations at the enemy’s disposal is a romantic relationship.

Humans bear God’s image more than anything else in all of creation. Therefore, Satan will often use another human as an idol in your life to tempt you away from the one true God that your heart ultimately desires most. 2 Corinthians 11:3 explains, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

If a relationship is beginning to corrupt your thoughts which are then beginning to lead you away from an authentic devotion to Christ, this relationship is being used by the enemy as an evil influence in your life.

If you sense any of these attacks in your life, do what James 4:7 commands, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”