The apostle Paul writes back to the Corinthians about a year later to forgive the brother he had ordered to be turned over ‘..to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’(1Co.5:5) How important was it that they forgive this brother of his sin? Well, look what Paul wrote them:

2Co 2:10 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,

He starts by telling them that He had forgiven this brother for their sakes. For their sakes?? Apparently Paul had obtained information that this brother had repented and wanted to come back to Church and the Corinthians were having none of it. They had already been chastised by Paul, because of this man, and they weren’t going to take any chances. Paul shows them that it is okay for them to forgive him, because he had lifted the judgment he had placed on that man and had forgiven him. He didn’t leave it at that, but he tells them why He had forgiven them for their sakes:

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

Here we see that when we fail to forgive we become susceptible to the devices of the devil.  Did you know the Devil has a method to his madness against God and the church??  The single most treacherous technique that he employs in the Church at large is offense.  He knows that if he can get them offended by those who are supposed to be the reflection of Christ, then it would be a significant, striking blow to their faith. Can you see where this leads? You can almost hear the bitter cries of those still yet offended and bound to their past ‘those…..Hypocrites.’ You see the devil has won, rather than “ Father, forgive them, for they do not what they are doing!” they spew the devils accusation ‘Hypocrites’. Instead of the being the reflection of the nature of God, they sadly sit in the seat of the scornful, demonstrating the devil’s demeanor.

The Greek word for the devil is ‘diabolos’ which means:

1) prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely

1a) a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,

2) metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him

Oh, brother and sister, that just tears at my heart strings and makes me want to cry. Unbeknown-st to them they have fallen prey to the enemy. Their righteous souls have been contaminated. Too many times have I fallen for this simple but devastating ploy, this sickening subterfuge?  Out of a heart that has been battered by the brother who was supposed to bear my pains, but has now caused the same. I have been down to the very depths of the despair that such matters make. Drowning in my anguish, I remember crying out to God “Why?” Nothing,……Silence…….

Captivated by the whirlwind of slanderous accusation, thoughts of retribution, REVENGE! And then, a stillness indefinable, inexpressible, indescribable, enveloping my mind, heart, and will. In that instance a flash of the cross, encircled about with mouths attached to the most hateful faces man can make, spitting, cursing and jeering. Instantaneously, inside the head of Him, the object of their derision, peering down through tear soaked eyes at their ridicule. To my utter amazement, I see, not those hateful faces but each ones divine purpose as only the heart of Love can see. At that moment a gasping voice invades the din “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” Back in bed uncontrollably crying for forgiveness, beholding mine accusers’ ultimate purpose and plan unfold, as only the heart of Love can see. Feeling a fire rise in my belly, a prayer arises for each, declaring what had been revealed over each who had betrayed, the ultimate forgiveness. Proclaiming God’s thoughts not of evil, but of good, declaring over them a future and a hope and then the sweetest sleep ever known. I awake four hours later, not exhausted, renewed, No New, brand new. Like the day I first came to Him, the very manifestation of Love. I was free from the snare, saved from the despair.

You see, I know that it is possible for you to forgive every hurt that men may inflict, not because I have, but because HE has, once and for all… Hallelujah!!!!!  Walk in the hard choice of your will to Forgive, once and for all; a living testament of His Love.

Have a great Day!!