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CHRIST

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2 Corinthians 2:6-11 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you

ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too

much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test,

whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For

if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the

presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his

devices.

FORGIVENESS AND SATAN

FORGIVENESS & SATANA. In 1 Cor 5, Paul admonished the Corinthian

church for being proud of a member who was living with his father’s wife.

B. Paul told them to purge out the evil from among them.

C. They evidently did as Paul instructed and now, in 2 Cor 2 they were not willing to forgive him after he repented.

D. Paul is now telling them that they should forgive the brother.

E. Note the context here is that unforgiveness is an entry point for Satan to gain advantage over us in our lives.

I. SATAN CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BELIEVERS.

A.2 Corinthians 2:11a lest Satan should take advantage of us;

B.2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE AWARE OF SATAN’S DEVICES.

A.2 Corinthians 2:11b lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

B.Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

III. SATAN DOES HAVE DEVICES.

A.2 Corinthians 2:11c lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

B.Eph 6:11-12 - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

IV. ONE OF SATAN’S DEVICES IS TO KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM BEING FORGIVING.

A.Withdrawing fellowship is designed to bring the sinning brother to repentance - 2 Corinthians 2:6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,

B. If we do not forgive it causes the sinful brother to give up and continue in his sin. 2 Corinthians 2:7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

V. FORGIVENESS AND LOVE IS THE GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST SATAN.

A.2 Corinthians 2:8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.

B.1 John 3:10-11 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

DON’T LET SATAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU

A. The very reason Paul included these verses is to educate the Corinthians on knowing that forgiveness could free them from Satan getting a foothold in their own lives.

B. The refusal to forgive puts a person in a place where they perceive their judgment to be superior to God’s, Who has chosen to forgive the offender in question. - Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

C. This judgment allows Satan to move with authority against you because you have placed your own self in a position to be attacked.

D. Do you have unforgiveness in your heart?

HAVE A FORGIVING WEEK