The Angel of Light

2 Corinthians 11

"Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their action deserves" (vs 11,14,15).

These verses stand out to me as I prayerfully read chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians. Paul continues to record his experience with the Corinthian church as they battle between how they first believed - based on Paul's preaching and teaching and the drawing of them by the Holy Spirit - and these false teachers and waxing eloquent speakers who were 'fronting' Paul! Paul found it necessary to recount not only the trials he went through in order to minister the Gospel to the Corinthians, but also to be "foolish" as the false teachers by recounting his royal birth, credentials, and worldy accolades! Foolish in the sense that Paul needed to let the Corinthians as well as the false teachers know that he actually was as qualified if not more so, according to the worldly standards that the false teachers were using, even if his presentation wasn't as catchy as theirs!

It is clear from the reading that Paul was uncomfortable in "boasting" in his earthly credentials - but he did so because of his great love for the Corinthians! Acting in love sometimes is uncomfortable! It isn't always easy to act in the best interest of those we love! Yet Paul recorded earlier that he became all things to all people if it would help to win even a few! And so it was in the boasting - he went toe-to-toe with the false teachers in order to prove along the lines of their standards, that he was qualified and could be trusted! Now, does this mean that we should do this when we find ourselves in similar situations? It depends. It depends on how the Holy Spirit leads us - sometimes yes, sometimes no. Always though, in humility and gratefulness...and out of Love! Love for God and those we are serving.

The second reality that struck me, is Paul's exposing of Satan in the mix of the Corinthians being led away in error. Satan was masquerading as an angel of light - he was looking attractive and appealing to the Corinthians, through the false teachers. Paul exposes the demonic activity through the false teachers, and then lets folks know what their end will be...Satan, his demons, and the false teachers....their actions will reveal their deserved end.

The world, the flesh, and the devil were at work, together in deceiving the Corinthian believers. As it is with any (of us!) today who would be deceived by false teaching and preaching. Beware...we must seek the Lord in the Holy Spirit and read the Word of God ourselves in order to measure the truth being taught to and around us. We don't have to be familiar with the details of the false teaching and/or evil. We just need to know the Truth in the Spirit through the Word - and we will be able to distinguish the "angel of light" when, not if, we encounter him.

"Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to us! Thank You for residing within us through Your Spirit! Thank You for the Word that aides us in growing in relationship with You! All Glory and Honor to You! Thank You for Loving us! Help us God to go and do likewise!"