6/11 - 2 Corinthians 11

This is one of those chapters, for me, that's a bit tougher to glean an applicable life lesson from. At least at first. The chapter is so personal and seems like it should be left between Paul and the Corinthians. Paul spends this chapter, in a tirade of sarcasm, defending his apostolic credentials to the Corinthians who have been quick to follow false preachers and discredit Paul. He points out how he never has taken money from them, wasn't a burden to them while he was there, and only preached to them the gospel of Christ - all unlike the false apostles they had bought into. He tries to convince them, through his sarcastic boasting, that all the worldly qualifications of him and the false prophets are really meaningless and that the only boast even worth mentioning is that which likens him to Christ - the suffering and sacrifice (v. 30).

For me, the takeaway is that following any man is foolish and if we do look up to others spiritually, it should be looking for the Christlike characteristics in them, not the people themselves.

"¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (v. 13-15)

So in a time where pastors are so highly regarded (I mean regarded higher than they ought to be) and when many Christians have turned their ears to a doctrine that falls easy on their ears (2 Timothy 4:3-5), I believe it's absolutely essential that we pray and be careful not to be deceived. We don't need to fear Satan but it would be wise not to underestimate his craftiness, especially when he's using people in the church as he did in Corinth.