WHEN AN APOSTLE IS CONCERNED " 3a But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety . . . " -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 13 of 29
What a marvelous concern Paul has for the church – and how exceedingly rare it is to behold such a thing! This is something of what was involved in this particular class of Paul's sufferings: "besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor 11:28, NKJV ).
I FEAR
"But I fear, . . . "
This is the same word Paul used when expressing a deep concern for the churches in Galatia, who were drifting back to a system of Law, and were in danger of falling from grace: "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal 4:11). It is a word of spiritual alarm. This is not the sound of ordinary concern for the spiritual growth of the brethren. Rather, this is an expression that is precipitated by indications that faith is waning, and flesh is gaining the ascendency.
Here is a word that has a strange sound to those snared by Babylon the Great. The word "fear," as used in this text, means "terrified, frightened, to be seized with alarm" (THAYER). A shallow thinker might say, "Where is your faith, Paul? Do you not have any trust in Christ Jesus? Why do have such fear?" Such poor souls do not have the faintest perception of kingdom realities. Their religion has blinded them.
Paul "feared" because many of the things that were seen in Corinth were NOT things that came from God! They were NOT the result of the work of the Holy Spirit or the teaching of the grace of God. They were NOT produced by faith, they did NOT yield hope, and did NOT show the evidence of love. These unacceptable works were in NO way associated with the salvation of God. They were connected to the world, and Paul knew that the world is condemned, and its "fashion" is passing away (1 Cor 7:31). If the people were not retrieved from this condition, it would be finally said of them as it was of Israel, "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation" (Deut 32:5).
BY ANY MEANS
" . . . lest by any means . . . " Other versions read, "lest somehow" (NKJV), "lest as" (NASB), "that just" (NIV), "that as" (NRSV), "that in some way" (LIVING), "with a clever trick" (IE), and "somehow or other" (WILLIAMS).
It seems to me that we are living in a religious generation that has largely underestimated the danger of the devil. It is true that Jesus has "destroyed" him (Heb 2:14), that he can be successfully resisted (1 Pet 5:8; James 4:7), and that we have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col 1:13). However, all of this can only be realized by faith. That is why we are called to a most sober and vigilant posture. As it is written, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Pet 5:8-9). Where people are not living by faith and walking in the Spirit they have not so much as a single advantage over the devil. When men are living according to the flesh, and unto themselves, Satan has the advantage – and it is a decided one at that, for "the flesh" is his domain of unquestionable power. Our past lives confirm this beyond all controversy.
All of the "means" employed by the "old serpent" obtain power in "the flesh" and through unbelief. If a person or a congregation is dominated by "the carnal mind," the domain of Satanic "means" has been entered, and there is no hope of surviving while there. In such a state, there is no Divine assistance, for "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7).
The reason for Paul's concern for the Corinthians is their lapse back into the flesh, for the sins that had surfaced in their assembly, and among their people, were incontrovertible evidence that they were living in the flesh, quenching the Spirit, and drawing back.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, raise up preachers and teachers that will call upon your people to walk in the light as You are in the light.