I would like to share with you an assertion by the Apostle Paul that has occupied my thoughts in the last few weeks.
“In order that Satan might not outwit us, for we are not unaware of his schemes.” – 2 Corinthians 2:11
Please understand that I write this brief article with the understanding that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
I find the passage quite interesting because Paul seems to be speaking on behalf of others and makes an emphatic statement on what they know concerning no less an entity like Satan and how he works.
In this passage the Apostle Paul revisits a matter on which he had brought discipline. I believe his aim was to bring healing and the restoration of a healthy relationship amongst the Corinthians. He acknowledges the collateral damage of the disciplinary measures by talking of sorrow, punishment, affliction and grief.
He then proceeds to deal with the need to forgive and comes out with what I perceive to be a rather profound but “out of context or out of place” statement. “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
It is generally believed that this matter brings guidance on how to relate to one who had committed a grievous moral sin but has now repented.
The sin had to be acknowledged publicly because it was in the public domain. But then the restoration process had to be seen to be done publicly and by the one who brought the discipline; Paul.
Dare I say that this was a safeguarding issue with very deep repercussions?
Why did Paul make the statement “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices”?
I firmly believe that Paul was seeking to deal with:
- The self-righteous in the congregation who would advocate keeping the sinner away or under perpetual discipline,
- The continued anguish and pain of the perpetrator
- Those who would like to think that the sin was not that serious after all.
- Of course there is the joy of those who would really welcome restoration and knowing the joy of sins forgiven.
I do not believe that the apostle was suffering from the ailment of those who see Satan or his agents at work in every situation. However, he was aware of their opportunistic mode of operation; they take advantage of any inordinate human failing. He was aware of the need to teach the sometimes excitable group of Christians in Corinth.
As the apostle to the gentiles Paul had a massive task on his hands to hold nothing back that was necessary for the growth of those under his care. This is what Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus on a similar matter:
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27 English Standard Version)
Let us briefly consider the matter of giving Satan an advantage over us. It takes someone who has acknowledged that there is a spiritual battle going on to understand these assertions of Paul. Here is another:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version)
To be forewarned is to be forearmed, or so the old saying goes.
Let us go back and look at a few alternative readings of 2 Corinthians 11
- So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. (New Living Translation)
- So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (English Standard Version)
- Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. (New King James Version)
- I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind. (Contemporary English Version)
- In order to keep Satan from getting the upper hand over us; for we know what his plans are. (Good News Translation)
Where do you stand as far as these assertions of Paul are concerned?
- He says we are not ignorant of his devices. How true is this for you?
- We all know what goes on in his mind. True or false for you?
- For we are not ignorant of his designs. Are you sure?
Or perhaps you would like to scream out: “Speak for yourself, Paul?
God has a plan for our lives as Christians and it is the desire of Satan and his agents to ensure that we fail to meet these plans in part or in whole. To this end he will harass, distract, discourage, annoy, cause self-doubt or doubt of the Word of God, sow enmity etc.
The self-respecting Christian needs to be on his or her guard.
To be aware of the devices, schemes, plans or operations of Satan one must first and foremost be aware of the nature and workings of God, His Holy Spirit and His Word. One must know that His Spirit indwells His people.
What Satan represents is ultimately at odds with the purposes of God. The knowledge of The Holy will expose the devil even when disguised as an angel of light because by their deeds you shall know them (Matthew 7:16).
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
I would now like to look at some of the schemes of Satan through the ministries of Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershom and their associates in their dealings with Nehemiah.
They employed ridicule, abuse, lies, rumours, accusations, threats, fake interest in the work, distractions, fear, misinformation and disinformation etc.
When these failed they hired false prophets, both male and female. You should by now be in no doubt that spiritual warfare was waged against Nehemiah because he had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
This is what Nehemiah realised in Nehemiah 6:10 – 14
10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”
11 And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”
12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
14 My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
I rejoice in the words of Nehemiah in Nehemiah 6:15
“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.”
- Fifty-two days of intense warfare. Having to be bold to confront the unholy trinity of Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershom.
- Fifty-two days of standing still and calling upon God and depending on His goodness.
Perhaps for most of us the enemy will not be visible.
Visible or invisible the battle is real. It takes place in the mind. In the midst of people and when you are alone in your bed at night.
Allow the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding to guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
The devil has a customised device for every human temperament. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Are you easily ruffled, visibly provoked? Then the customised scheme of harassment and vexation will be employed by so called colleagues under the guise of legitimate questions or comments at every opportunity.
Be on your guard against the emails, texts and phone calls that come first thing in the morning under the guise of being urgent. It is the same with the late night communications. These affect your peace, your sleep. They are meant to harass and vex your spirit.
The desired effect is to vex your spirit and thus badly affect your spiritual receptivity. Satan does not have to crush you by means of a sledgehammer to defeat you if He can use the vexation of your spirit to achieve it.
Whether Satan operates as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour or comes as an angel of light his intentions are still deadly.
Remember that you are not supposed to be unaware of his devices and whatever goes on in his head.
The resistance of Samson was “vexed out of him” by Delilah.
And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’ womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” (Judges 16:16 – 17)
My prayer is that we can all be able to say one way or the other:
- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (2 Corinthians 10:4)
- “Satan might not outwit us, for we are not unaware of his schemes.”
Shalom.
Abraham Sackey