Satan’s Final Assault: Unwillingness to Receive Repentant Sinners
Another way Satan infiltrates the church is by hardening believers’ hearts against repentant sinners.
Paul urged the Corinthians to remove a man living in unrepentant adultery from the church, handing him over to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). But once he repented, Paul issued a stern warning:
“I urge you to reaffirm your love to him… lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:8-11)
Even after a sinner repents, Satan’s work isn’t finished. If he cannot keep someone in sin, he will attempt to keep them in shame and isolation.
Final Thoughts: Do Not Be Ignorant of Satan’s Devices
Whatever else may be said about Satan’s work in the church, we can be sure of this: the Gospel is always his primary target.
He loves to distort it through hypocrisy, censorious spirits, and false teaching.
May we not be ignorant of his schemes. God has revealed them in Scripture, and we must take them seriously. Let us guard our hearts, our churches, and our marriages so that we may faithfully proclaim the Gospel and live lives worthy of it.
