“Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (vv. 10-11)

How, exactly, does the enemy plot against you?

We have some ready answers: he lies, he tempts you to trade what God has given for what you think you want, he straight-up torments you with negative thoughts. All true.

But don’t miss this:

Among Satan’s schemes, there is the wedge of unforgiveness.

Satan hopes you’ll be so mad at some wrongdoer that you won’t forgive him. He whispers about justice and “just deserts.” He convinces you that that one was so wrong and that you are so right.

Satan would have you hold on to all of your anger and frustration and pain—he would drive a wedge in your fractured relationships—so that he might have you.

So lay all that down.

Trust that the Lord, who is righteous, will discipline a wrongdoer. Trust that what was sown in sin will reap a just result. Trust the wisdom He gives you, so that you will know how to set the right boundaries where they are needed, going forward.

But release your unforgiveness. Forgive. Because the Lord commanded it, yes, but also because our enemy can’t stand it.

That’s how you get some wedges out—out of your family, out of your workplace, and out of your church.

And that’s hard.

I’m praying for you.

— Tyler