Paul, speaking to the Corinthians about the need for true forgiveness, reminds them that to fail to do so is to give an advantage to the devil and states, "for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Cor 2.11). In our time I am not so sure that we really give that a lot of thought. When it comes to realizing how the devil works we may not really know as much as we think we do.
First of all, we think of the work of Satan as being identified by references to pentagrams, horned things, black candles, rock and roll etc. These things are all worldly in nature but do not necessarily help us to see what the devil really does. In realizing how Satan works we need to understand that he will not present himself in black robes, as a red skinned fellow with a pitchfork and horns, or any other such thing. Paul tells us how we can identify Satan. Paul describes Satan as being " transformed into an angel of light." (2 cor 11.14). That may come as a surprise to many. How is this brought about in the world? Paul goes on to say how this appears as he discusses this problem with the Corinthians. Paul states, "Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." (2 Cor 11.15). Who are these ministers of Satan? Earlier in this same discussion, Paul spoke of false teachers and deceivers. It is to these individuals that Paul applies this reference.
In order to understand who these people were we need only read more closely. Paul was concerned about the spiritual health of the Corinthians. He was concerned about the presence of false teachers who had come into their midst. These false teachers attempted to detract from Paul's work by claiming that they were also apostles and speaking against Paul, both personally and spiritually. Of these teachers Paul states, "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Cor 11.4). The problem facing the Corinthians was that they were not spiritually minded enough to recognize the error of these false teachers. Describing the Corinthians, Paul stated, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." (1 Cor 3.1-2). Their lack of spiritual knowledge led them into accepting deception on the part of these ministers of Satan.
Paul also reminded them that he had not come to them in great eloquence. His desire was that they would come to know the truth, and stated his desire that their, " faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Cor 2.5). The power of God is the truth, the Gospel (Rom 1.16). Paul stated that the devil has an influence in the world (2 Cor 4.4) and this influence seeks to undermine the power of the Gospel, the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6.17). The deception of Satan is not that he does not want you to believe in Christ, or to study some of the scriptures. His desire is that you might fall short in some area, a point that will rob you of that eternal reward. What do you believe? What do you know about the workings of Satan? Question what you are taught. Try those things against the scriptures. Don't be fooled.
TLC