Know Thy Enemy's Schemes

[S] 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 --
¹⁰But 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,
¹¹so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

[O] True forgiveness requires a truly great effort to carry it out because by definition, for me to be in the position to forgive someone else already means that I have been offended in some significant way. Otherwise we don't even have to go there in the first place. Through these broken relationships our enemy works its way into breaking down the community of believers to the point of distrust and in many cases hatred. Once our emotions are dis-unified from one another, we've bitten the bate and are trapped into the enemy's schemes. This is why Paul mentions we should be fully aware of Satan's schemes such that we would avoid its traps that are spread along the path I walk together with other believers.

[A] Whenever I find myself in the position of giving forgiveness, just do it because then I'll for sure avoid Satan's traps and instead be lifted up by the wonderful and compassionate grace of God.

[P] Dear God, I seek to freely give forgiveness whenever I need to whenever I've been hurt by others. Please grant it with Your beautiful love overflowing out of my heart; and in addition, grant me the focus of my life to recognize the traps my enemy's throwing at me so I may avoid them wisely. In Jesus' name. Amen.