"So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."
1 Corinthians 5:4,5 (NIV)
How could an under shepherd of the Lord Jesus Christ hand a child of God over to the dragon described in Revelation 12? You say, "Well, he tells you how; come together in an assembly before the Lord and hand him over." That is the actual practical method, but my question is: "how could this possible be an act of love carried out by brothers and sisters who love this man in Christ?" The devil is our enemy; he deceives us and brings ruin and destruction into our lives and yet he does it in a sly and devious way, in such a way that we don't even realize what is going on. You may know brothers and sisters like this. They are deceived. Their actions are those of followers of Satan and this world, and yet their lips tell you they love God and follow Jesus. How can this be? Deception. The angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) has deceived them. What they need more than anything else is to come to their senses. Just like the prodigal where it had to take the bottom, disaster before he realized that he was wrong and that he needed to be with his father. Paul is not concerned that Satan can destroy this man. Paul knows that those who are the Lords will always be the Lords. Paul desires that this man be brought to his senses and withdrawing spiritual protection from a person is the last act of love that brothers and sisters can give to someone who is deceived by the angel of light (this would be very hard to do). May we always listen to that still small voice. May we keep short accounts with our Lord. May the grace of God be powerful in our lives this day.
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