Tag: 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15
Angel of light
Scripture reading for September 6th: 2nd Corinthians 11, Psalm 28, Proverbs 23
2nd Corinthians 11: 12-15 “And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostle, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Like sparkling wine, that looks good and goes down smoothly, so are those who are false apostles and deceitful workmen in the Church of Jesus Christ. These false workers disguise themselves as ‘apostles of Christ’ and boast of their great knowledge and love for God. In reality, they are serving the master of disguise: Satan the ‘angel of light!’ Their false teaching is not the true Gospel and the ‘Jesus’ they claim to serve is not Jesus Christ, Son of God. They also claim to have the ‘spirit’, but that ‘spirit’ is not the Holy Spirit but the very spirit of the devil. God will expose them and reward them for their evil deeds! Beware of that which is counterfeit!
Psalm 28:3-4 “Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the true Gospel of salvation by repentance and faith through Your grace in giving Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Open the eyes of those who are in a state of deception, claiming to be apostles of Jesus but really lost. Give us discernment and Truth to stand firm and rest in Your grace. Use me to proclaim the truth and warn Your people of deception.
Proverbs 23:31-33 “Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things and your heart will utter perverse things.”
Satan in disguise!
Scripture reading for September 30th: Jeremiah 8-10, 2nd Corinthians 11
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15 “And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
The spiritual warfare Paul warned the Corinthians about came in the form of counterfeit apostles, teachers and “Christian” workers. Satan loves to disguise himself as an ‘angel of light’ when he is really a dark fallen angel. Satan uses people he has taken captive to be his ‘deceitful workmen’ right in Christ’s church. To identify the counterfeit “Christians”, we must know the genuine Jesus and those who genuinely represent Him and His Word. If we fall for the counterfeit, we will suffer now and in eternity. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment if we are teachable.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the Truth and the Spirit of Truth Who brings me discernment. Correct me and help me daily to stay true to You and listen only to Your Word taught by Your gifted people.
Jeremiah 10:23-24 “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in Your anger lest You bring me to nothing.”