"Satan is only God’s master fencer to teach us to use our weapons." Satan’s schemes to destroy us and do us harm are built around stealth and deception but as Paul writes to the Corinthians "we are not ignorant of his schemes." (2 Corinthians 2:11 +) In 2 Corinthians 2:11 + the word schemes is not methodeia but noema and refers to the content of thinking and reasoning. Schemes is used to describe a wild animal cunningly stalking and unexpectedly pouncing on prey (cp 1Pe 5:8 +). It suggests that the devil and his minions have specific schemes, "tailor made" for each person, for he is aware of the sin that so easily entangles each of us (Hebrews 12:1 +)! Note that these schemes involve shrewdly devious and intriguing methods that entail following an orderly, technical procedure in the handling of a subject. The schemes of the devil - Note Paul's use of the definite article in Greek (" THE schemes") which defines these as specific schemes, not just general schemes. Paul had warned about the devil's schemes to disrupt the unity of the body writing that "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming." (Ep 4:14- note) This is not a video game or a fairy tale but a very real war with a very real, deceptive foe. Schemes of the devil - Here we encounter the commander in chief of the invisible army arrayed against us.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |