II Corinthians 2:10-11 “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

The Church in Corinth was grappling with something no Church wants to contend with…the matter of Church Discipline. But Paul not only reminded them that the purpose of Church Discipline was to restore not destroy the individual, but exhorted them to be extremely careful not to give Satan any kind of victory in the matter. How? The Church could chose to neglect the need for discipline altogether…brushing the matter under the carpet and turning a blind eye to the allegations…or it could choose to discipline harshly and then shun and ostracize the person they had supposedly “forgiven”. Both would add up to a victory for Satan and more unrest within the Church body.

Author: kezha1

A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ. View all posts by kezha1