Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 2:
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your (agape) love to him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
There are times when we must correct those who are offending the Body of Christ but it must be done in Love. Those who have greatly offended many will suffer when corrected and that suffering is sufficient for their correction. They were led astray by their lack of understanding and wisdom, typically by relying on their mind’s logic and error. We must not allow ourselves to walk in unforgiveness toward them and cast them away as though they are unpardonable. This will include those who professed to be used in the five-fold ministry and taught us in error or deemphasized the work of Christ.
We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. He will use those who are not being led by THE SPIRIT to cause division among the brethren. Their agenda is typically self-serving rather than self-sacrificing. They also are oriented toward insufficiency rather than trusting FATHER to meet their needs. They might lack assurance in their life so they will attempt to place the spotlight on themselves rather than preferring others.
FATHER forgave us all and sent HIS Son to die for the ungodly which included you and me. As we mature IN HIM, we too will be willing to forgive all and will be able to readily identify the devices of Satan when they arise to cause division. The earlier they are detected, the sooner restoration of the brother or sister will occur. Often, you will be able to use the situation as an instructional event rather than a source of condemnation.
Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Jesus identified the fruit of Satan- to steal, kill, and destroy. When we see this fruit then we know the source of the problem. Let us not condemn the person being used by Satan, but instead let us seek FATHER in determining the best way to restore the person to HIM. Love always forgives. If needed, FATHER will initiate corrective judgment in order to bring to light the source of the problem. HIS fiery Word will penetrate the devices the devil is using to cause destruction in the person’s life. Our responsibility is to intercede for the person and pray for FATHER’S perfect will to be done in the person’s life. FATHER’S Wisdom will administer the proper correction without too much sorrow. Let us not be ignorant and succumb to the enemy’s devices in our response thus increasing the problem. Let Agape Love prevail in all that we say and do when we are affecting the lives of others.