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2 Corinthians 12:16-18
The Apostle Paul has spent some time in this letter expressing his love for the congregation of the church at Corinth and of that in contrast to the teachings of the false apostles that have taken advantage of them. Paul pleads with them to not fall victim to these false teachings as he fears that they may have regressed in their relationship with God and their salvation in Christ Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 12:16-18 the Apostle Paul questions the congregation of the church at Corinth by asking them if any of them feel as if Paul or any of his ministry companions have taken advantage of them, as he is accusing the false apostles of doing. Paul’s attitude is making a shift from strongly defending himself and his fellow workers in Christ to a deeper concern that the congregation has fallen to the false teachings of his adversaries.
This is an example of how the devil will use false teachings to pull us away from Christ Jesus.
The devil will put people in our lives to mislead us away from God and our salvation in Christ Jesus. He will try to show us something that appears to be exciting in this world, and it may very well be, but God will check us through His Holy Spirit living within us to question these things. If it is something that we would gladly do with Jesus in the flesh along side of us, then, as the proper attitude of a Christian would guide us through God’s Holy Spirit giving acceptance, then we know that it is from the LORD. But we also know when Satan is tempting us with something that we would view as “fun” but know is wrong. These things we must turn from and ask Jesus to help us, “just say no.” God is not going to prevent us from making bad or wrong decisions but He will give us guidance through His Holy Spirit living within us; the choice is free for “you” to make. I urge you to make the choice – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
We know that the devil is stronger than we are, and we know that the devil is smarter than we are, and we know that we cannot overcome the devil by ourselves. We need Your help through Your Holy Spirit living within us to help us. Please prompt us during these times to call on the name of Jesus as it is through Him that we overcome the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6; 1 Peter 5:8-11). It is Jesus who did the work on the cross and in the grave to defeat the devil for us so that through Him we may live and overcome the devil. Please help us to realize and understand the importance of our salvation in and through Your One and only Son Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.