Give no space to Satan’s schemes

READ: Isaiah 23,24; Psalms 74; 2 Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 2: 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

OBSERVATION: Many of us know well that Satan is a liar, deceiver, and accuser of God’s people. However, if somebody asks us, “How does the devil look like?” we may think of a person with an evil, ugly and cruel face. 16th-century artist Raphael’s drawing of “Archangel Michael vanquishing Satan” is famous among Christians. Some Christians hang the picture at the entrance of their home and think that it would protect them from the devil’s attacks. In 2 Cor.2:11, Paul says that we know of Satan’s schemes. He does not explicitly mention what the devil’s devices are. The devil does not always come in the same form that he took when he deceived Eve. Later, Paul writes that Satan disguises or masquerades himself as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:14). When we read God’s word and apply it in our lives, we can quickly identify whatever form Satan may take.  

In 2 Cor.2:5-8, Paul alludes to the person involved in sexual sin (1 Cor.5:1-5) and suggests the Corinth believers forgive and show love to the person who received the Church’s punishment for his moral failure. The same Paul who earlier asked the Corinth church to hand the man over to Satan (1 Cor.5:5) suggests forgiving and loving the man. Paul does not want to keep a personal grudge against the man. He never said that the church should tolerate the man and his sin. After the punishment, as Paul’s words reflect, the man must have repented from his sin. Now, the church should be open to accepting the person with love. Unforgiveness would result in bitterness. Bitterness would create a lot of issues (Heb.12:15). The church should give no opportunity to Satan. Paul first forgave the person before he asked the church to forgive the punished man. In Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul writes, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Why should we give any space to Satan to divide the church and create many problems? “For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

APPLICATION: Concerning the holiness of my personal life and the church, it is good to oppose a person who sins against the Lord. Whomever he may be, I should not associate with him. However, I should not reject or neglect a person when he repents from his sin. I should forgive him as Christ forgave me (Col.3:13) and show Christly love to him. I should/will not give any space to Satan. I should remember Jesus’ teaching of forgiveness (Mt.18:22, Luke 17:3-4) and be ready to forgive and love.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for forgiving and accepting me as your own. Lord, thank you for helping me understand the consequences of ignoring a person who wants to repent. Holy Spirit, fill my heart with God’s love to defeat Satan. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day - 256