SATAN’S SCHEMES

Football players take their sport seriously. Teams play only one game each week, but they spend all week preparing for that game. They study films of the opposing team trying to gain an advantage by discovering players’ tendencies. They develop a game plan and then practice all week simulating what the other team’s offence and defense might do in a game. A full week of work just for a chance to win the game, maybe we could learn something from their commitment to beating their opponent.

Sometimes we forget that we are engaged in a spiritual conflict. It is more than just a once a week struggle; our clash with our adversary continues daily with no time outs. (Now that’s a good reason to come to Jesus for rest, but that’s another pondering—see for example Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 11:28. Okay, back to Satan’s Schemes.) Paul was familiar with the enemy’s tactics, and encourages us to be careful not to give Satan any advantage against us.

Satan has a plan to destroy people. Our enemy wants to prevent the sinner from coming to Christ for salvation. He wants to keep the backslider from renewing their fellowship with God and other believers. Satan wants the church to be ineffective by driving a wedge between us. Paul reminds us that if we are going to defeat Satan then we must be quick to forgive one another.

• 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven — if there was anything to forgive — I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
  2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV)

God’s love is demonstrated through our lives as we let go of bitterness. Instead of holding a grudge we are willing to forgive one another and restore our love for each other. Forgiveness is the key to outwitting Satan and beating him at his own game. Believers remain connected. Backsliders are restored. Sinners are drawn to Christ. Satan’s schemes are defeated when our love is proven with forgiveness.

Let’s not ignore the devil’s sly attempts to defeat us. Let’s practice loving with forgiveness. We will win more than a game. We’ll have victory over Satan. What do you think?