In verses 10 and 11 we find the Apostle Paul writing these words to the believers in Corinth; "But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." This may have been true for Paul and it may be true for you, but I fear that many are indeed ignorant of Satan's schemes. In the text we find that one of his schemes we should not be ignorant of is that of being unforgiving. As a result of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, corrective action had been taken in the church with regard to one of it's members. Paul is now telling them to reaffirm their love for this brother in Christ. To be sure, there had been a time for discipline but now it was time for them to "forgive and comfort him". Failure to do so could result in bitterness on the part of those unwilling to forgive and the possibility that the one now needing forgiveness and restoration would be "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow". And Satan would take advantage of one or both. Yes, let us not be "ignorant of his schemes".
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