Don't Be Outwitted!

In the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, there was sin in their midst with which they needed to deal. However, in the second letter, Paul brought to their attention that it was time to restore, forgive, and reaffirm their love ( 2 Corinthians 2:8) for the one who had apparently by then recognized the degree to which he had fallen away from God’s standard.

Paul went on to write:
“(10) Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, (11) so THAT WE WOULD NOT BE OUTWITTED BY SATAN; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” ( 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV)

Satan loves an unforgiving spirit. Unwillingness to forgive keeps us apart. An unforgiving spirit separates and divides. It causes us to focus on the conflict and not on the work we ought to be doing together. Let us never allow Satan to use this tactic to outwit us. Focus on how God has extended forgiveness to us and be willing to forgive others in the same way. We all, at times are in need of forgiveness. Let’s not be stubborn. Let’s not be hard hearted. Don’t give Satan room to carry out his schemes.

There is great power in forgiveness. Forgiveness draws us close together. It also helps us keep our focus on what God’s great plan is all about as we focus on reaching out together with God's message of grace and mercy. I need it. You need it. Everybody needs it. And Satan doesn’t want us to get it. Let us together outwit Satan with the power of God’s forgiveness transcending our lives.

Have a great day EMPOWERED BY GOD TO OUTWIT SATAN!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 09/26/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Forgiveness