"...So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11, ESV).

Paul had asked the Corinthian church to do something difficult. In his previous letter, he'd told them to remove one of the members who was in unrepentant rebellion against God. They didn't want to, but they did.

In Paul's next letter, he told them to restore the man, for he'd grown repentant and contrite. Paul wanted them to extend forgiveness. Christ had forgiven the man. The apostle had forgiven the man. They needed to forgive the man.

But why did they need to forgive? "So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs" (2 Corinthians 2:11).

What was Satan's design? He wanted the Corinthians to withhold forgiveness. If they kept back grace, then the man would be destroyed, and the Corinthians would become paralyzed in bitterness.

And this is often Satan's design. We are not to be outwitted. He plans to bring us into bitterness through a lack of forgiveness. Grudges, resentment, and rivalries are Satan's way. His tactic is to make believers into unforgiving people.

But Jesus' design is better. He wants us to forgive. And, when the time is right, He wants us to practice forgiveness through restoration. He plans to make us conduits of grace, ministers of reconciliation.

Forgiveness is hard. We know this. We've felt the pain of releasing someone from their debt. But it is the way of Christ, and even if we must do it a thousand times, we must forgive. Christ enables us and helps us with the task.

Let us not be ignorant of Satan's designs. He wants to shackle us in bitterness, paralyze us in anger, and destroy us through hatred. Instead, let's turn to Jesus and cry out to him for the strength to follow his path of grace and mercy. His design is far better than Satan's.