- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,539
Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 2 Corinthians 12:16 NLT
Have you ever been deceived? Maybe a car salesperson sold you a lemon without a recipe for lemonade, or an excavation company buried you under hidden fees.
Some people raised under Machiavelli’s principle “the end justifies the means” believe that the only thing that matters is that they get ahead, no matter who they leave behind. Ideas like these intensify manipulation.
Hezekiah found himself exploited by the king of Babylon, who “sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness” but also used the opportunity to spy on the riches in the treasury (Isaiah 39:1). This “trickery” severely cost the nation when Babylon eventually took the treasures.
The Corinthians called Paul “sneaky” and claimed he took advantage of them. Paul defended himself with facts and sarcasm, but the passage elevates the concern over exploitation.
How can anyone manage all the manipulation?
Solomon shared the solution: “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men…who are devious in their ways” (Proverbs 2:12, 15). As you continue studying the book of Proverbs, you’ll find that most schemes can be avoided through the practice of self-control. It would have helped Hezekiah and the church in Corinth. It, and the other wisdom principles in Proverbs, will help you too.
Prayer: Father, give me wisdom to manage any manipulation I encounter.
Have you ever been deceived? Maybe a car salesperson sold you a lemon without a recipe for lemonade, or an excavation company buried you under hidden fees.
Some people raised under Machiavelli’s principle “the end justifies the means” believe that the only thing that matters is that they get ahead, no matter who they leave behind. Ideas like these intensify manipulation.
Hezekiah found himself exploited by the king of Babylon, who “sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness” but also used the opportunity to spy on the riches in the treasury (Isaiah 39:1). This “trickery” severely cost the nation when Babylon eventually took the treasures.
The Corinthians called Paul “sneaky” and claimed he took advantage of them. Paul defended himself with facts and sarcasm, but the passage elevates the concern over exploitation.
How can anyone manage all the manipulation?
Solomon shared the solution: “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men…who are devious in their ways” (Proverbs 2:12, 15). As you continue studying the book of Proverbs, you’ll find that most schemes can be avoided through the practice of self-control. It would have helped Hezekiah and the church in Corinth. It, and the other wisdom principles in Proverbs, will help you too.
Prayer: Father, give me wisdom to manage any manipulation I encounter.
