Forgiveness Stops the Enemy

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Forgiveness Stops the Enemy

Andrea Lende • November 10, 2021

II Corinthians 2:10-11

Forgiveness Stops the Enemy

You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Forgiveness-Stops-the-Enemy-e1a37c9

II Corinthians 2:10-11

“If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah),”

“To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.”

I love to look for clues in the Word about how to overcome obstacles.

Specifically, how to overcome obstacles the enemy puts in our way.

He is always on the prowl attempting to derail God’s perfect plan.

He desperately wants us to fail, so attempts to thwart our intentions in every way.

Just when we are making progress in one area of our lives, he tries to derail us in another.

It’s almost like we live our lives on an obstacle course.

So, when I see a clue about how the enemy can get an advantage over us, I take note.

Our passage says we should offer forgiveness “to keep Satan from getting the advantage over us.”

In the case with the church at Corinth, there had been the sin of incest.

There was significant pain and grief caused by this act.

And after a time, Paul said, “It is time.”

Time to forgive the sin.

He stated if there would have been further rebuking, the young man could have fallen into overwhelming despair.

Paul also points out if they didn’t offer forgiveness, the congregation would open itself up to vulnerability with the enemy.

The enemy gets an advantage over us too when we don’t forgive.

Forgiveness isn’t always easy.

But God can soften our hearts and put compassion in our spirits when we cannot offer forgiveness easily.

Spending time at the Lord’s feet will heal our wounds and make us whole.

We experience a love us so deep that the troublesome parts of our lives seem less difficult to bear.

Jesus’ death on the cross ensures us forgiveness for our sins, so how can we deny it to others?

Today I choose to offer forgiveness abundantly and thwart the enemy’s advantage over me.

May you find you are able to forgive more easily as the Lord helps you through the pain and hurt of this life.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me to forgive others. Thank You for alerting me that the enemy establishes an advantage over me when I do not. So, help me forgive everyone who has hurt me. Do not let me hold onto anything that prevents me from walking into Your perfect plan for my life. Help me let go enough to let You avenge any wrong done to me. Help me call forth Your love, healing, and comfort so I do not harbor any ill will against anyone. Give me patience to allow You to do what only You can do. Thank You for working out all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You for working in all the circumstances of my life. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Answer: I sacrificed the life of My Son so you and all My people would be forgiven and enter my rest. May your heart allow those who have hurt you to be forgiven as well.

Response: Help me forgive easily as the price for my forgiveness was purchased at a tremendous cost.

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