SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. [2 Corinthians 11:14-15]
For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8:44]
These are harsh words, even sarcastic; Paul is really upset that he is being accused of taking advantage of the Corinthian believers.
Jesus is also upset; the Pharisees who claim to be servants of God are thwarting God’s purpose, and threatening God’s servant.
Satan is the master of disguises; this ought to be a warning to all of us, both as believers and as leaders.
As believers, we need to remain closely connected to the Lord, to His Spirit and to His truth, so that we can test the ‘spirits’ behind those who speak or lead for the Lord.
We need to be on guard for the ways in which our Enemy lays subtle traps to draw us away from our commitment to God – just like he did with Eve and Adam in the garden [2 Corinthians 11:3].
Just because someone looks good, teaches well, sounds right, does good, does not mean that they are not Satan in disguise.
Remember what Jesus said to Peter: get behind me Satan!
This is important for us as leaders; we’re not immune from being led astray.
If Satan could deceive Peter who was with Jesus, how much more us?
This is why we need the Spirit of Jesus in us.
It is the Spirit who enables us to discern truth from error, to test the ‘spirits’ to see whether they are from God.
As leaders we need to remain closely connected to the Lord, to His Spirit, and to His truth.
We need to allow ourselves to be held accountable, we need to be humble enough to admit that we can be wrong.
For we all face the same father of lies; he is out to mess up all of us!
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [1 Peter 5:8]
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see where/how Satan is subtly tricking, misleading, deceiving me. Spirit, lead me into the truth!
Satan is still active today. He is alive and well. As he tricked Adam and Eve, so too does he trick people today to lead them astray. To be a good school, it needs to be large. To have an effective ministry it must have a great following. A mega church. To be a great teacher/preacher you must be a great orator and the list goes on. If you are a Christ follower, you will have great riches, good healthy, no problems, always blessed.
I must be rooted in the Word. I in this place where the Lord has placed me must be grounded upon that Word. And God enables me by providing His guidance by His Spirit. Yet being rooted, also in times when our world has been turned upside down, there are those who say we are doing wrong, not focussing on the task, etc The enemy also comes from within! Be on watch for we do not know in what ‘clothes’ he may approach us.
It is a great reminder that through all his suffering, the apostle remained faithful, being a living letter for the Lord. In times like these, lead me and guide me so that I may remain faithfull and be a living letter of the grace of God at work in me and through me. help me to walk in the Way in Your Sonshine here in Haiti.
I am weak and I need Thy strength and power,
To help me over my weakest hour.
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness.
Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee:
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
I am lost if you take your hand from me,
I am blind without Thy light to see.
Lord just always to me thy servant be,
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.