Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 96

April 5;      2 Corinthians 2:11;      151/260;      ‘satan’s Devices’

2 Corinthians 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about forgiving and reinstating the man who was having sexual relations with his father’s wife (I Corinthians 5). Paul was encouraging them to forgive this man. God the Father is a God of love, mercy and grace. He freely forgives us when we are sincerely sorry for what we have done and purpose in our heart not to continue in sin. Paul tells us in this verse that unforgiveness is a device of the devil to cripple us spiritually and greatly hinder our ministry. satan does not try to influence you not to forgive someone because he knows how unfairly you have been treated. He does everything he can to encourage you not to forgiven another because he knows that it is biblical that if we do not forgive someone, God the Father cannot forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). The devil also knows that refusing to forgive someone and meditating on their sin against us can cause physical problems in our body. Our adversary, satan does everything he can to tempt us to sin. Familiar spirits, demons who have watched you and know areas in your life that you may be weak spiritually in, will try to influence you to yield temptation and sin. Contrary to what religion teaches, the Lord does not punish your sins, the sins punish you and that is the ‘device’ the devil uses against us. Paul, incredibly wise and taught by the Holy Spirit is teaching the church at Corinth this truth. Corinth was a seaport and people from all over the world would come there. It was a very immoral and sinful city. Trust the Lord, stay close to Him and He is able to protect you from these devices.