Avoiding the Enemy’s Setup
by Keith Moore
The Bible clearly tells us that we have an enemy. His name is Satan. And he works against us. But we don’t have to fall prey to his plans!
The devil is our adversary.
He’s always working against us and looking for ways to keep us from enjoying the victorious life Jesus has bought and paid for on our behalf. He is the accuser of God’s people—always looking to take action against us.
But the truth is, the devil has no right to do any of those things unless we allow him. We don’t have to participate in his setups!
We’re Not Ignorant
Paul warns us clearly in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that the way to keep Satan from getting an advantage over us is by not being ignorant of his devices—his tricks and schemes. He uses devices against us that are totally within our reach to take back and overthrow his setup.
The word devices can mean plans “thought out.” Satan’s most common device is to get us to fall into his way of thinking.
God’s Word is clear regarding how to steer clear of the devil’s devices. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is his final word on the disciplinary action of the man in that church who had been involved in an adulterous affair. The church had already obeyed Paul’s direction to put the man out of the church. Now, Paul basically says to them: “That’s enough.” Then he told them how to deal with the man going forward.
In 2 Corinthians 2:6-10, Paul says:
"Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ."
Then comes the admonishment: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (verse 11).
What was Paul saying?
He was warning them to not fall for Satan’s “setup.” He was saying, “Don’t be ignorant to the tricks the devil uses, but instead treat the man the way Christ would treat him. Forgive the man. Comfort the man. Love the man.”
Paul didn’t say, “Go ahead, let him live however he wants and just put up with him.” No. He said forgive, comfort and love. That’s the nature of God. It’s the way God thinks and acts toward all of us.
26 : BVOV
