THE STRATEGIES OF SATAN

What does Satan do to attack the Church? If only there was just one answer to that question. Sadly, our enemy's attacks are varied; however, when we learn of Satan's tactics, we can at least set up defenses against them. And 2 Cor 1:23 - 2:11 explains at least one way Satan can gain a foothold within the church.  Interested? Let's open 2 Cor 1:23 and start reading ... 

2 COR 1:23 - 2:4

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. 2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

• "TO SPARE YOU" - As you listen to Paul continue his explanation of the delays in his coming, Paul says that (with God as his witness) his motive was to "spare them". What does this answer (which we'll dive into) seem to imply about why the Corinthians believed he was delayed?

• "ANOTHER PAINFUL VISIT" - Here's another indication that Paul had already travelled out to Corinth from Ephesus (in the midst of his writing). "Another painful visit" seems to imply a first painful visit. But Paul doesn't want to cause them pain ... read verses 2:2-4 slowly. What evidence can you find that Paul doesn't want to hurt the Corinthians?

• "ABUNDANT LOVE" - More than not wanting to harm them, Paul actually loved the people who had hurt him in the past. How does Paul's example affect you ... do you relate to him? sit in wonder at him? Why is it so hard to act out of love for those who've are painful to love?

2 COR 2:5-8

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

• "NOT TO ME" - It's amazing that Paul who has been hurt by the Corinthians doesn't personalize all those hurts. Instead, he put the emphasis on the difficulties these folks have caused the Corinthian church. What can we learn from this kind of selflessness? 

• "REAFFIRM YOUR LOVE" - Beyond just showing empathy for the Corinthians, Paul is worried about the "excessive sorrow" experienced by the perpetrators. Does this appeal to forgiveness mean that sin is never to be dealt with? What in this paragraph makes you answer that as "yes" or "no"?

2 COR 2:9-11

9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 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, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

• "I ALSO FORGIVE" - Paul continues his appeal for forgiveness with a mini-treatise on forgiveness. Notice what Paul says about forgiveness in verse 10a ... how would you summarize the point Paul is making here?

• "FOR YOUR SAKE" - Paul extends his point in verse 10b by reminding them that his plea for their forgiveness (and his own forgiving attitude) has a purpose. According to Paul at the end of v 10, who benefits from this forgiveness?

• "NOT IGNORANT" - And finally we arrive at the point we began with: that Paul wants to protect the church in Corinth from the attack of Satan. What words does Paul use here at the end in verse 11 that should sober us to the dangers of bitterness and unforgiveness within a church family?

• NOW CONSIDER ... Paul's warning here probably brings to mind other texts where our enemy seeks to bring harm to the church. What other tactics do those passages suggest? Do any of them also link unforgiveness and Satan's activity? Is there anyone in your life (past or present) where Satan could be outwitting you by getting you to harbor bitterness or justify unforgiveness?

Fighting for faith with you,

Pastor Darren