2 Corinthians 11:3 – “But now I’m afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s clever lies, your thoughts may be corrupted, and you may lose your single-hearted devotion and pure love for Christ.”

A fundamental problem in deception is a wrong self-image. In the text, the apostle Paul expressed the concern that deception steals the peace and simplicity that comes from a pure and single-hearted devotion to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 10:12, he warned against opening that door of pride by comparing ourselves with others.   What another has or does is not the measure of who we are.  Our measure is only our obedience and devotion to Christ.  It is not what we do but our devotion and obedience that God looks at. 

The Law of Reciprocity works in every area of life.  The harvest does not flow out of our great exploits but our love and willing obedience.   God gives us seed to sow and bread to eat.  Every grace abounds in the obedient and enables us to give.  We give what we have, and that is often other than material things.

In 2 Corinthians 6:6, he speaks of unhypocritical love.  What is that?  How can love be hypocritical?  Agape cannot be, but Phileo or Eros can.  Maintaining the sincerity and purity of our devotion enables us to walk as Jesus walked.  Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing.  I only say what I hear the Father saying.”   That expressed His complete obedience as being the basic requirement of a relationship with the Father.   Singular devotion is essential.  Unhypocritical love is the key.

My prayer is, “Lord, help us never look at others as a comparison, but to see their need and pray about it and be generous in helping them.  Help us to have ears to hear & eyes to see.  Help us willingly allow the Holy Spirit to guard our minds, ears, hands, and mouths.   Transform us.  Amen.”

Today, I urge you to examine your hearts and eliminate any comparison to another person. Your standard is not someone else; it is the purity and sincerity of your devotion to Jesus. If He is FIRST, relax. You are where you need to be at this moment. Do not get stuck or complacent, but another’s gifts, abilities, blessings, or labors are not your concern—your heart is your concern.  

Just relax and be.  God will work His purposes in and through you in His time and way.  Just be!

May the Lord bless and keep you in my prayers!