Satan schemes against us all the time. And oftentimes, he outwits us with a singular tactic that takes out millions – through unforgiveness.
The Bible does not speak lightly of unforgiveness:
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mt 6:15).
Unforgiveness is unforgivable. It’s why it is such a powerful scheme of the devil.
In the writing of Corinthians, Paul spoke to the church to deal with a sinner in the congregation. They did. The sinner appears to have repented, and Paul encouraged them to welcome him back with love, kindness, and comfort. The goal was not to win him over with excessive sorrow.
Then Paul tell them if they have forgiven that man, as they know the situation of whether he repented or not, then Paul also forgives him. Why? So that satan does not outwit the all through unforgiveness.
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:10-11).
How does satan scheme? By tripping us up through unforgiveness. It is how he outwits us.
He can make unforgiveness look justified. He can make coolness in relationships “understandable” given the circumstances.
Yes, trust has to be rebuilt. Boundaries have to be established. Restoration has to be walked out. But that does not ever give us an excuse to not forgive from the heart.
Plain and simple, the gospel message is one of forgiveness.
“repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).
The tactic and the outwitting of the devil is when we participate in unforgiveness.
Let’s think about that.