“Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”   2 Corinthians 2:10-11 WEB

Satan is a most miserable creature. His skills are telling lies at all times and blaming people for every ill. He makes those who listen to him as miserable as he is.

The Christian has been forgiven and continues to be forgiven by God. Satan will tell all sorts of twisted truths to loosen our hold on Christ and the finished work of salvation, which He accomplished for His people. We must learn to distinguish his lies and gross exaggerations. He loves to blame.

Satan is smarter than any human. He can operate a ring of deceit and accusation with impunity and undermine the faith of the believer. We need to know how he operates and the subtleties of his schemes. The Word of God will tell you all you need to know and the experience of life will teach us how to resist him.

The one single attitude we must watch for, is the growth of an unforgiving spirit. It happens really easily, and grows virulently. We are to forgive each other and forgive others who sisters and brothers have forgiven as well. There is no forgiveness for the person who does not forgive.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 WEB

The main offensive seems defensive. We must keep our lives free from sin and keep short accounts with God. We must forgive and make forgiveness a way of life, so that no bitterness or rancour grows in our hearts.

Any tolerated weakness of the flesh is a chink in our armour. We must face our enemy with all the armour of God and our breastplate of righteousness utterly clean. Our salvation must be our crowning glory and our minds ready against Satan’s wiles. Know your Bible. You will get no victory without it. Trust the power of the Word of God and the Spirit within. Work and witness for the Master and the message of peace you share will fortify your own soul.

God will protect you from the lies and blame. The devices of the devil, that you don’t understand, God will keep you in His grace.

So let us be brave and holy and devoted. The victory is the Lord’s and all His redeemed people.