SATAN'S SCHEMES
29th Nov 2023
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 records Paul dealing with a pastoral situation. An individual has sinned and caused much pain; he has been corrected and Paul is addressing the need to forgive him and restore him.
verse 10-11 Paul says, “I have forgiven …. in order that satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus is very clear that unforgiveness leads to torment and imprisonment.
We encourage each another to receive the Lord’s forgiveness for ourselves, and to seek to live with forgiving hearts towards any who have hurt or offended us. We know that forgiveness is not easy, but over and over we receive grace to help us. Recently, I’ve become aware of one of “satan’s schemes” in mature believers. People who know Jesus and want to please Him, forgive offences, but find it difficult to extend forgiveness to themselves. This brings them under false, destroying, accusing lies of the enemy of our souls.
Jesus offers us total forgiveness, washes us whiter than snow, tells us to live his new life listening to instructions from the Holy Spirit, not looking back, but with faith and hope moving forward. Paul in his own story is honest about his hatred of believers, persecuting followers of the way to their death or imprisonment. However, Paul had received forgiveness and forgiven himself, and throughout his writing encourages us to receive the same.
Peter had to deal with his own failures, betrayal, guilt and shame, yet after the resurrection Jesus appears to Peter alone; later as recorded in John 21, he is restored, and Jesus focuses on his love and the future.
Focus on thanksgiving for forgiveness and cleansing, and the new start Jesus gives us. If guilt and condemnation seek to imprison and torment you - declare who you are because of Jesus, forgiven and free, and refuse to listen to satan’s lies.
In the words of a well known hymn - “He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free, His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.”
Jesus alone knows what goes on in the depths of our souls, and He knows how to bring forgiveness and healing, and with His power we can each live new lives.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
