“If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. 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 Corinthians 2:10, 11 (NIV84)

We know Satan’s schemes! We have faced and fallen into them enough times to know how he works. He can’t stand grace and forgiveness! By “can’t stand,” I don’t mean that he hates them, (which he does), but that he cannot stand, work, function, exist or survive in the presence of grace and forgiveness. This is why the greatest expression of grace and forgiveness, the cross of Jesus Christ, was what crushed Satan’s head.

Grudges, revenge, anger, hatred, bigotry, etc., are Satan’s tools. He would have us do anything but express grace and forgiveness. He will attempt to convince us that both are signs of weakness. He will encourage us to justify our judging heart around the rightness of our position or the hurt of our heart. But you see, God alone is the judge. He has not called us to judge but to love and forgive as He has forgiven us.

You want to give Satan a poke in the eye? Love and forgive the one you are holding a grudge against. Set yourself free from the responsibility to judge, and give it back to God. Let’s not let Satan outwit us!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church