S) "10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes."
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NASB)
O) So, this is still a quasi-greeting portion of Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth. The first letter came off a little harsh and he's smoothing things over a little. That's the context of verse 10, but verse 11 is the real meat of why I quoted this passage. satan will try to take advantage of us however he can, but it happens quite often through misunderstandings. We joke a lot about how various movies or TV episodes would be over a lot quicker if a character would just explain one thing, or say one phrase, or wait just a minute longer... life is actually like that sometimes, though. We've all been misunderstood and wished we had a chance to explain more. Paul was doing just that, because he was fully aware that this was a circumstance that satan would try to use to create division in the Corinthian church.
A) If I pretend to be naive, then I'm being ignorant. I cannot afford that. satan attacks in very predictible ways, but he's successful when Christians forget they have an adversary. I cannot miss this. It's like what Charles Baudelaire said, "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist." The Holy Spirit provides the gift of spiritual discernment, and I need to be sensitive to His promptings. I am not unaware, and I cannot pretend to be, and I cannot act like I am, even if it's not deliberate. I need to address issues when I can see that there is the potential for misunderstandings, especially when satan will try to exploit them.
P) Father, thank You for this reminder that I am not a victim to satan unless I allow myself to be. With the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I am on the winning team. You give me the victory, if I am following Your lead. Holy Spirit, continue to make known to me where the true fight is. Help me discern lies from truth, and continue to expose the enemy's schemes. I will continue to fight on my knees; let my fighting to be effective. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) If I pretend to be naive, then I'm being ignorant. I cannot afford that. satan attacks in very predictible ways, but he's successful when Christians forget they have an adversary. I cannot miss this. It's like what Charles Baudelaire said, "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist." The Holy Spirit provides the gift of spiritual discernment, and I need to be sensitive to His promptings. I am not unaware, and I cannot pretend to be, and I cannot act like I am, even if it's not deliberate. I need to address issues when I can see that there is the potential for misunderstandings, especially when satan will try to exploit them.
P) Father, thank You for this reminder that I am not a victim to satan unless I allow myself to be. With the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I am on the winning team. You give me the victory, if I am following Your lead. Holy Spirit, continue to make known to me where the true fight is. Help me discern lies from truth, and continue to expose the enemy's schemes. I will continue to fight on my knees; let my fighting to be effective. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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