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; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. - 2 Cor 2:8-11 (KJV)
The irony of our text is that the devil has taken advantage over many believers. It is sad but true that the devil has increased his gear to number five while we the present day believers are still in number three. He has outsmarted many believers with his device in every way. He has done a lot of research in the lives of many and has known their weak points and level of knowledge through which he strikes.
In the book of Exodus, God wanted His people (Israelites) to
vacate the land of Egypt – the land of idols. But the king – Pharaoh – refused to
let them go. And God began to perform His wonders (plagues) starting from the
seventh chapter. After the fourth plagues, Pharaoh began to negotiate and using
tricks for Moses and Aaron by tempting Israel not to fully separate themselves.
“And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.” Exodus 8:25. In other words, Pharaoh was luring them to stay in the land of Egypt and sacrifice to God. Likewise, the devil wants us to be religious but not totally separated from sin and the world. Satan wants us to be called the children of God but without proof. 2 Tim 3:5 says “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”. The devil is always happy seeing many going to their churches yet lacking the characters of Christ; he is not bothered because he knows they are more or less in his cage.
In Exodus 8:28, Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Make supplication for me." (NASB). Similarly, the devil wants us to continually associate with sin. He wants sin to still be within our vicinity, so that he can easily entice and deceive us back into the world. When a believer is saved from his sins, the devil always make it difficult for such a believer to let go of his sinful friends; the devil makes many see reasons why they should not leave their boyfriends and girlfriends, because he knows he can easily use their ungodly friends to entice them back to sin. A believer who do not want to sin must flee from situations that can cause sin and must not be overconfident among ungodly folks. “Stay away from every form of evil” 1 Thess 5:22 (HCSB)
In Exodus 10:11, Pharaoh said, “No, only the men may go and worship the Lord, for that is what you have been asking for.” And they were driven from Pharaoh’s presence.” (HCSB). Pharaoh wants only the men to go and not with their family. In like manner, Satan wants us to become religious but not care for our homes. The family is the first institution created by God and the most important ministry in the Bible. The devil is hitting back at many believers and ministers through their homes. Many do not care about their spouse and children’s spiritual lives; there are lots of home with no family altar. A man who does not carry his family along will never go far in walking with God. Apostle Paul told Timothy “Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place.” 1 Tim 5:8 (MSG). A believer who works gigantically for God and neglect his family is a failure before God.
In Exodus 10:24 Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the Lord. Even your families may go with you; only your flocks and your herds must stay behind.” (HCSB), Pharaoh did not want them to take their wealth with them. Alike, Satan wants us to use our wealth somewhere other than for God. He makes it easy for many to spend their wealth at parties and sponsor programmes that will glorify themselves than projects that will glorify God. He made many see the reasons why they should not invest their wealth in the work of God; he makes them think that all their contributions to God’s work are to the glory of the pastor. The devil will expose many ministers who are misappropriating the church funds so that others will be discouraged to give to God since the so called ministers are embezzling the funds. It is a terrible thing for God to give you the power to get wealth and use it to glorify God’s enemies. Deut. 8:18, “well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.” (MSG) . “Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.” Prov 3:9 (MSG)
When you fail to know the strategies of the devil, he will always outsmart you with his tricks so as to put you in trouble with God and at the same time accusing you before God. As Moses refused to negotiate with Pharaoh, you also must refuse to negotiate with sin and the world.
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