Friday, June 25
Read II Corinthians 2
Think About It:
- It seems that Paul thought it best to give the Corinthian Christians a little room, and give them space to repent and get their act together. He didn’t want to rebuke and admonish them all the time. Since this was Paul’s heart, he knew that another visit of the same kind would be of little benefit for either himself or the Corinthian Christians. Have you ever felt this way when dealing with loved ones, family members, friends or in other relationships? Are you more likely to go in to a situation and try and work it out and set people straight, or are you more likely to pray and give the Holy Spirit room to work things and people out in His timing and His way? Let The Holy Spirit guide you in what you do and say.
- Satan has specific devices (strategies) he uses against us to take advantage of us. Paul could say that he was not ignorant of Satan’s strategies, but many Christians cannot say the same thing. Calvin defined these devices as “the artful schemes and tricks of which believers ought to be aware, and will be if they allow the Spirit of God to rule in them.” Are you allowing the Spirit to make you aware of Satan’s strategy against you right now? What weak point is he trying to exploit? Where is Satan trying to get a foothold into your life? Are you ignorant of his devices?
Family Time:
- How did Paul describe the messengers of the gospel? (verses 14-16)
- How did Paul handle the gospel? (verse 17)
