Devices of satan - Unforgiveness

The Bible talks about satan’s “devices,” in the plural, so we know that he has more than one evil scheme. The Bible also talks about “the wiles of the devil,” also plural (“schemes, tactics, strategies").

“Devices” is defined as:

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words: Device: “denotes "thought, that which is thought out" (cp. noeo, "to understand"); hence, "a purpose, device;" translated "devices" in 2Corinthians 2:11.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: “a mental perception, thought (specifically) an evil purpose…”

One device is unforgiveness.

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; lest Satan should get an advantage of us [outsmart us]: for we are not ignorant of his devices [evil schemes]." - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV

Jesus made it very clear that we must forgive if we want to go to heaven. (Matthew 18:23-35)

He told a story of a servant that was forgiven a great debt by his master the king. When a fellow servant begged forgiveness of his very small debt, the servant threw his fellow servant into prison until he should pay the debt. When the king found out what happened he was wroth. The king then took the unforgiving servant (the “wicked servant”), and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due him.

We can see this scenario in our lives. When we turned to Jesus, King of the universe, we begged Him forgiveness of the overwhelming debt of our sins that we could never pay. He had mercy on us, and forgave our whole debt. We repented of our sins, we had them all washed away by water baptism “in JESUS name,” and were graciously given Life by the infilling of His Holy Spirit. Are there people in our lives that have sinned against us that we are holding accountable?

Jesus concluded the story with this:

"And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." - Matthew 18:34-35 KJV

We must be careful to not let satan outsmart us with his evil schemes. Unforgiveness is one of these devices.