The part of the verse quoted in the title of this article is from 2 Corinthians 2:11 and concerns a situation that had developed in the assembly in Corinth. Among many other wrongs that existed in that assembly, there was a man who had been guilty of very serious immorality. In the first epistle, Paul had told the assembly to “put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Cor. 5:13). Thankfully, the assembly (at least for the most part) had listened to Paul’s instruction, had humbled themselves, and had dealt with the evil by putting away the man in question.
Also, the man himself had evidently been humbled in view of his sin and had repented. (Paul himself had not witnessed this, as he had not visited Corinth since he wrote the first epistle. However, Titus had gone there and doubtless had brought back a report to Paul.) In view of this, Paul now counseled the assembly to receive the man back, as there was a danger of his being “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:7). In giving this instruction, he assures them that if they forgave the man, he too forgave, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us” (2 Cor. 2:11).
In speaking of Satan’s devices, Paul likely foresaw that Satan would try to drive a wedge between him and the Corinthian assembly, for he knew that there were those in that assembly who discounted him and would be only too glad to see this happen. However, we notice that he refers to Satan’s devices in the plural, for surely Satan has many of them. I would like to look at another of his devices that is used all too often in connection with failure in the saints of God.
Another Device
When we fail as believers, we have gotten away from the Lord. As a result, we say and do things that are of the devil and are the product of our old sinful nature. After some time, the Lord in His faithfulness brings this to our attention, working by His Spirit in our consciences to make us realize our failure. He may sometimes use another believer to speak faithfully to us, to bring us to repentance and confession. Then time is needed for us to realize the full import of the sin in the sight of God and the seriousness of our having sinned in the presence of His grace. After this, when we have fully judged the sin in God’s presence, we need time for God to remind us of His grace. He well knew that we would commit that sin and has already laid it on our blessed Saviour on Calvary’s cross. Then our hearts, encouraged by His grace and love, are left with the enjoyment of the magnitude of God’s grace in spite of our sin.
It is during the time of judging the sin in God’s presence that Satan often attacks us in a special way. He has already gotten one advantage over us, in persuading us to commit the sin, but now his tactics go in another direction. In keeping with his character as “the accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:1010And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)), he now reminds us of our sin, of how seriously we have dishonored the Lord, and of what a mess we have made of our life. Of course, all this is tailored to the seriousness of the sin; the more significant our failure, the fiercer his attack. As it were, he whispers in our ear that since we have dishonored the Lord, we can never be restored, nor walk in a right path as a Christian again. We might as well give it all up and live as the world does.
The Lie of Leaving
Sad to say, more than one believer has listened to this lie and succumbed to it. Satan brings before us the shame of having to confess the sin and of having others know about it. He persuades us that it would be far better to leave the fellowship of faithful believers, rather than face the humiliation and disgrace of owning up to the sin. Or, if he does not persuade us to leave the fellowship of all believers, at least he may try to convince us to seek the company of less faithful believers, who will take a more lenient view of what we have done.
Grace Misunderstood
All this is Satan’s lie and a misunderstanding of the grace of God. To give in to this lie is true failure and worse than the original sin. It has been most aptly said that true failure is not falling down, but rather failing to get up again. In order to get up again, we must remember what a brother many years ago remarked: “Let us always remember that whenever we have to do with God in this day of His grace, we have always to do with love.” Of course, there is government in the house of God. Serious sin may carry long-term consequences, even for the rest of our lives, nor does God’s grace abrogate His government. But even in government, God delights to show grace. And even if there are governmental consequences to our sin, there is no limit or qualification on God’s restoring grace, for “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:99That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9)).
Let us always remember that the Lord knew all about us when He saved us; He knew how we would turn out, what all our failures would be, and how faithful or unfaithful we would be. And He saved us in spite of it all! We never need hesitate to approach Him, if we realize where we are. It is when we pretend to be what we are not that He must continue His work in our souls, until we come to the end of ourselves. But if we are willing to admit where we are, God will always meet us there, and His desire for us is always blessing.
W. J. Prost