When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NLT
A distinctly human characteristic is to routinely blame other people and see them as the reason for our struggles. It started in the Garden of Eden when sin broke the first relationships with God and each other. When Jesus arrived in the flesh, it was still our go-to strategy. He pointed out that we are quick to see a speck of sawdust in another’s eye while we are peering around a log in our own.
That attitude shows up in our search for fulfillment of our deepest needs like security, significance, and acceptance. When our attempts to meet our needs are thwarted, we are hurt, likely angry and resentful, and almost certainly we know who and what is to blame for why we are insecure, insignificant, and unaccepted. That’s exactly Satan’s strategy. He wants us to get involved in blaming and fighting, vying for control, codependency and trying to please, and constant image grooming. It’s a terrible way to live, sure to end in fear, uncertainty, failure, and rejection.
But, as Paul said, we are not ignorant of his schemes. There’s no reason for us to be outsmarted and fall into the trap of fighting the wrong fight. We do that when we blame others for where we are instead of realizing that Satan is our enemy, and we can win by aligning ourselves with God’s truth. We can find our security, significance, and acceptance by working with God and finding our ultimate source in Him. He will more than satisfy our needs.
As we live our lives, people who are also searching to have the same needs met will be tricked by Satan’s schemes and we will hurt each other in the process. Satan wins if we get caught in the trap of blaming and accusing. Paul shows the right fight and the right weapon: forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a weapon that is not in Satan’s arsenal. He knows nothing about it and has no defense against it. Forgiveness wins every time. Forgiveness sets both parties free to walk the path to security, significance, and acceptance.
You were created secure, significant, and accepted. It is your birthright. Find your Source in the One who created you, knows you best, and loves you most.
- Is Satan outwitting you? No need for that to be true. You are no longer ignorant. Fight the good fight. Security, significance, and acceptance are yours.