Offence: The master device of the devil
Convincing the Christian to live in unforgiveness is one of the strategies of the enemy. He knows that as long as Christians are living in unforgiveness, God can not answer their prayers (Ps.66:18). This is to encourage you to continue walking in forgiveness. Paul advises that we should forgive ‘lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices’ (2 Cor.2:12).
For many years, I have heard ministers take this verse out of context and then go into an excited lecture of different devilish strategies that could be used against a Christian (such as charms, witchcraft, occultism and curses). While these are strategies the devil and his minions may use, that is not what his verse is talking about. We only need to read the preceding verse to understand that Paul is talking about forgiveness.
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake (2 Cor. 2:11).
In an earlier letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes a man who was engaging in sexual intercourse with his father’s wife (engaging in incest in essence-1 Cor. 5:1). However, the members of Corinthian Church were not alarmed at such a lifestyle (1 Cor.5:2). In fact reading through the 1st Corinthians it appears that this was a ‘carnal church’ with gossiping, competition, backbiting and conflict.
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults (2 Cor.2:12).
One of the chief devices of the enemy is to get people to offend you and then blame you for being offended in the first place and being unforgiving. Usually the person who has offended you will then try to keep malice and avoid all contact with you so that there is guilt and condemnation. The answer is simply to forgive and bless them even in their absence.
Another strategy is for the devil to use a tale bearer to spread a ‘secret’ gossip between two brethren to destroy their friendship (Prov.16:28, 20:19) As soon as the friendship is destroyed he/she moves on to the next project. The devil may spur people to offend you, but you can choose to refrain from ‘taking offence’.
Paul was alarmed at their nonchalant attitude and judged that the man that was engaging in incense and judged that he should be ostracised from the church and given over to satan to destroy his body so that his spirit could be saved (1 Cor.5:4). In 2 Corinthians, Paul repented from his judgement pronounced on the promiscuous brother.
He instead advocated that the man be forgiven and restored back to the Church because ‘we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil’. In order words, He was saying that if they refused to forgive their sinning brother, they were falling into the devil’s device or trap of unforgiveness. Only God knows the number of Christians who overcome big sins such as adultery, fraud and murder only to fall into the unforgiveness torment trap because of the simple device of unforgiveness.
It is interesting to note that unforgiveness is a heart issue and not a behavioural issue. However, when a person refuses to forgive, it is expressed in resentful behaviour (frowning, shouting or keeping malice (also known as giving the silent treatment).
The devil is so crafty in using this device that even after Jesus had overcome temptations of pride and lust at the final hour, he spurred some people to chide ‘if you are the Son of God, come down and save yourself’. He was spat upon, disgraced and mocked. Jesus could easily have pulled the nails from His hands and retaliated. He could have called legions of angels to destroy the blasphemers but chose not to because of His love for us (Matt.26:53). Instead He chose to forgive saying ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34).
Jesus equates anger with murder and says that anyone who remains in anger runs the risk of being judged. 1 John 3:15 is stronger and states that anyone who hates his brother or sister is actually a murderer. Is there someone you need to forgive? Don’t wait till tomorrow.
Forgive and bless them. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:28, Rom.12:14). Restore cordial relations as much as you can and see God answer all your prayers in Jesus name (Mark 11:25 ). I see God taking you to your place of Divine Rest and Peace in Jesus name.
Have you experienced or know any other subtle device of the enemy?
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Great. Any experiences?