Twin City church of Christ Blog
“May 30, 2024 - Satan's Schemes”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsSatan’s Schemes
Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:6-11
While the details are unclear, someone in the Corinthian church has sinned and Paul has written them to address the problem (2 Cor 2:4-6). The wording implies that the man has harmed Paul specifically (see v. 5, 10). Yet here Paul urges forgiveness and reconciliation. “For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him”(2 Cor 2:6-8). The church has “punished” the man—evidently by withdrawing from him—and Paul says that it is now time to “forgive and comfort” and “reaffirm your love.” They should accept him again and restore the bonds of fellowship. Presumably the man is willing to change his behavior so that this situation will not recur.
Paul gives more insight into his thinking when writing to the church. “For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything”(2 Cor 2:9). Some divine expectations are very difficult to fulfill; they “test” us and our commitment. He also reassures them that he is over the problem himself: “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs”(2 Cor 2:10-11). Forgiveness is important because it keeps us from being “outwitted by Satan.” Satan has “designs” or schemes geared toward our spiritual defeat. We must rally around each other—and let go the wounds of the past—or we will fall into his traps.
Paul’s perspective here is healthy because it reminds us that we face a crafty adversary. He will use even our moments of obedience to “outwit” us into growing overly severe. Similarly, he can lead us to grow proud of our humility, confident in our own strength, and blind to our faults. But forgiveness is essential because when we fail to let go of the hurts of the past, we can fall into sin by our response to others’ sins. We sorely need God’s help, wisdom, and people to overcome Satan’s schemes.
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One Thing to Think About: What does Satan have planned for me?
One Thing to Pray For: A heart to let go of the hurts of the past
