Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #51

Satan’s Schemes

2:11 "...so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes."

Paul is anxious that the Corinthians forgive the man who was excommunicated for opposing him, for the man has now repented of his sin. Paul is afraid that a spirit of unforgiveness will open a door to Satanic opportunity. This is similar to the concern raised in Heb.12:15:

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (NIV)

Bitterness causes trouble and defiles many because it opens the door to the devil. People get bitter because they fail to recognize the grace of God in their lives.

God has conquered our enemies and subdued them to His service for our sakes:

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom.8:31-32)

The proper response to this is always gratitude. When instead we react to the circumstances of our lives with bitterness, we are failing to recognize the grace of God, for even if man intends it for evil, God intends it for good. The grace of God is there, even in the hardships, but we fall short of it. Instead, we grow resentful, rejecting God’s declaration that He only allows what is good for us to come into our lives (if we love God and are called according to His purpose - Rom.8:28).

And when we grow bitter, we throw the door open to Satan so he can gain a foothold. When we live in unrepentant sin, we give Satan an opportunity to infiltrate our lives and the lives of others even more.

Husbands, do not be embittered against your wives (Col.3:19). Wives, do not tolerate bitterness in your hearts toward your husbands. Parents, repent of bitterness toward children. And children, put away bitterness toward your parents. Hold no bitterness toward any man, whether they be presidents or employers or neighbors or relatives.

When we slam the door on our neighbor in our hearts, we open the door to our enemy (Satan). In other words, bitterness only makes the matter worse. A bad husband or wife can be improved by love and respect, but he/she will only be made worse by bitterness. And that rule applies in all relationships. Our sin always makes matters worse.

If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee, and bear thee through the evil days;
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love builds on the rock that nought can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee, these never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee o’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press the heavier for our bitterness.

Only be still, and wait His leisure in cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure and all-discerning love have sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known to Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving; in all thy labor faithful be,
And trust His word, though undeserving; thou yet shalt find it true for thee:
God never will forsake in need the soul that trusts in Him indeed.

By Georg Neumark (1621-81)

Dear Father, I praise You from my heart for lavishing Your abundant grace upon me. Please teach me to walk in the radiance of Your grace, never acting as if You have assigned me a bad lot. And when I sin by allowing my heart to grow embittered, expose my sin and lead me in repentance. Make me tolerant of others, but let me never be tolerant of my own sin.