Paul said we are not ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11). If that were true, we would be on guard. It seems right to say that Paul and the ministry who served with him were not ignorant of Satan's devices, but people by and large are not sure what Satan does and does not do. Converted people were taught about the danger they faced, but this world is sublimely unaware of this great evil influence until some great tragedy happens. Humans are not sure where he influences things in their lives or what they should look for. Some people see the hand of Satan everywhere and others do not believe Satan is anything more than a figment of someone's imagination - or at best the force of evil. In this chapter Paul includes this reference to the devices of Satan among several subjects. It is needful for us to understand so we can be on guard for ourselves and so that we can be on guard in the Body of Christ - the church.
When we examine 2 Cor. 2 as a chapter Paul wrote, we can find a number of areas that he includes as places Satan may work. He wrote about one person who had grieved the church and who needed to be accepted back (verse 8). Paul urged the brethren to reaffirm their love to him. Satan can work in this area as we humans are often slow to forgive and we remain suspicious. We may need to take steps to assure the continued good behavior of a wayward member, but the manner in which this is done can be influenced by Satan. Verse 9 shows us that obedience is another area Paul mentioned and in which Satan can be involved. In time, our thinking changes. Some of our determinations and promises become less urgent and we can lose zeal. Obedience can become tedious or we can become more liberal or overly strict. Overly strict or overly zealous people seem to burn out easily - that too is a ploy of Satan we need to guard against. Satan's devices are at play in these areas. Paul wrote about doors which were opened (verse 12). God opens some doors, but we humans may differ in which doors we think He has opened and doors we want to open. Satan looks for a weak spot in areas such as this. Verse 17 tells us people were "peddling" the word of God. They were not sincere, but were more interested in finances. It seems incredible that some would dare to sell the word of God in the presence of such powerful apostles as Paul, but Satan has no fear, it seems. Paul continues in chapter 3 to show that some commend themselves, and their ministry to the people is not always sincere. That too is an area Satan stands watch over. In this paragraph Paul outlines a number of areas.
Satan does observe everything we do and he recognizes areas where we may be weak. He was there in the Garden of Eden with his device of reasoning which caused Adam and Eve to disobey God directly (Gen. 3:1-6). What Satan said sounded reasonable and convinced Eve, so she responded to what she thought was acceptable somehow - only to find an immediate shame. It seems people like to make up their own minds and Satan knows that. We do not like to be told what to do, so sometimes we will "cut off our own nose to spite our face." Satan knows that too. We can be stubborn and strong willed.
Specially chosen leaders among men were prime targets for Satan. David was one of these. There is one episode mentioned in I Chron. 21:1. Satan stood up against Israel. Israel was the chosen nation and people of God - a constant target for Satan. He caused King David to number Israel against the council of his advisor Joab. Joab seemed to realize that this would be displeasing to God (I Chron. 21:3). God was so displeased that He struck Israel (verse 7). One would wonder what possessed David to do such a foolish thing - and the answer lies in the devices of Satan. He is always probing and tempting. King David seems to have fallen for those devices more than once. The sad epic about Bathsheba and Uriah as well as David's troubles with his own children and civil war in Israel were part of a long string of attacks Satan mounted and David failed to deter.
We also find Satan coming before God asking permission to mount an attack against a faithful servant. Job is a large book which is devoted to this incident. In fact God offers Satan an opening (Job 1:7-12). Satan used everything in his power to cause Job to curse God and failed. Job won a great victory for God in this case. At the end of the book, it is clear that Job was blessed with a far deeper understanding, unity and oneness with God. He won a great victory for God in the sight of countless angels as well as his friends.
No doubt there were numerous incidents in the Bible which are a result of the devices Satan applied. The many incidents of Israel being led astray, the influences on Solomon and other kings and judges are too numerous to outline here. Even in captivity in Babylon, it seems Satan was not satisfied. He took advantage of every weakness, uncontrolled human emotion and situation to upset what he thought was the plan of God. He is our enemy (Matt. 13:39). His footprints are found all about the world and among God's people. The lesson is to resist him and Satan must flee (James 4:7).
When Christ was born, Satan was on the prowl (Rev. 12:4,5). He was after the church and no doubt was instrumental in affecting the thoughts of the King Herod to destroy the newborn king. At every turn, it seems, Satan stood ready and watching for a weakness. Even when he found no weakness, he continued to probe. He was given permission by God to test (tempt) Jesus at the beginning of His ministry. The Holy Spirit led Christ away to be tempted (Luke 4:13). Luke writes that Satan left after Christ resisted him - until he had an opportune time. Satan does not give up; he may back off, but will keep on looking, as he knows we do grow weary and sometimes even our zeal can be extreme, making us a target. Jesus Christ's life had frequent encounters with Satan or demons. The lesson in this is that if Jesus was a target and Satan did not shy away from trying to cause Him to sin - Satan will have even less hesitation to attack Jesus' followers, because He knows that Jesus was far stronger than any of us are. So we need to be on guard all of the time. We are told to "watch" in a number of places in scripture.
God provides sufficient information and help that His children should not fail in knowing and thwarting Satan's devices. God tells us to use His commandments as a constant in our devotion to Him. Anyone who teaches anything that would distort or change those commandments is not to be listened to (Deut. 13:1-10). God gives us many clear scriptures about how to obey Him - just as He gave clear instructions to Adam and Eve not to eat from that one tree. Our protection and safety depends on us obeying Him.
We are more vulnerable when we are facing great trials in our lives. Loss of a family member or a financial disaster can trigger strong undercurrents in our lives that will hurt our relationship with God. Paul knew that the gift God offers extends far beyond the troubles Satan can push at us. He and his fellow ministers taught and explained the things we need to be on guard against and how our personal weaknesses can cause us great difficulty in our spiritual walk. Our troubles may come from within, but if Satan sees a chink in our armor, he is quick to try to enter. Our hope must lie in future rewards and not only in that which we want or expect in this life (I Cor. 15:19). Some have felt that if things go wrong in this life, God does not care about them. They have then sought help from other gods and failed. Satan is our enemy - with the help of God, we can overcome his influence. We can stand secure and safe in the arms of a loving Father who is pleased with our faith. Paul could only preach and encourage - it was up to each member to act - just as it is today.