Ignorance is No Excuse
Today’s Verse:
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. ~2 Corinthians 2:11
In our legal system, ignorance is no excuse for failure to comply with stated laws. It is a known assumption that a prudent person is to have a general understanding of the law and should not take any action that would be considered illegal or unethical. With so much knowledge available to us through the internet, no one can truly say that they did not know. Paul lived a life that was prepared, prudent, and prioritized against the subtle attacks of Satan. His desire in discipling other believers was that they would not allow Satan to get an advantage over them. In our spiritual war against Satan, ignorance is not an excuse for any of us.
We see the god.
Satan is the god of this world who has blinded the minds of them that believe not. His very name means adversary, or the one who opposes the God of Heaven and God’s children. He is against all righteousness. Paul told Elymas in Acts 13 that he was the enemy of all righteousness. The same can be said about Satan. Everyone born into this world is a child of the devil. Everyone born of God is a child of God! Satan is the god of this world, but he does not come anywhere close to the God of Heaven.
We see the goal.
Paul spoke about Satan desiring to get an advantage of us. This means “to make gain.” Taking advantage of someone is done when he is unsuspecting, has his back turned, and is caught completely by surprise. Satan wants to make a gain over us. Think of how he did this over Eve in the garden, Lot in his ambition, David when his men went to war and he stayed home, and Judas with his greed. He wants to make a sinful gain over us. He wants to make a substantial gain over us. He wants to make a soul gain with every lost person.
We see the gimmicks.
Paul speaks of Satan’s devices. In the context of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 2, Satan tried to use unforgiveness to keep the church from spiritual healing. He uses our pride and personality to make us be at odds with each other, be jealous of one another, and speak evil of one another. He uses bitterness to steal our joy. He uses money, position, accumulations, procrastination, complacency, and compromise.
We see the grasp.
We must not be ignorant of his devices. When it comes to spiritual warfare, we must have knowledge and wisdom in thinking in advance how the devil will attack us. Paul tells us, “Neither give place to the devil.” This implies not leaving a window or door to your soul open and unattended for Satan to enter in as a robber. As you read God’s Word, give special attention to how it helps us be on the offensive and the defensive against Satan’s devices. He has many tricks up his sleeve. Don’t be ignorant of how he uses discouragement, covetousness, lust, loneliness, and, even, sorrow to make a subtle gain on you.
We see the guard.
Jesus said that we should watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation. Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant… resist stedfast in the faith.” Paul commands us to put on the whole armor of God and to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all saints. Do not allow yourself to be vulnerable and exposed for even a moment. Ignorance is no excuse. Be prepared, prudent, and prioritized so that you are not taken advantage of.
Have a wisdom-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 28-30