2 Corinthians 11

V. 12-15, Satan as an angel of light

Our world is full of things that not quite as them seem. Nature like to fool us by giving animals camouflage, like a bug that looks exactly like a stick or lizards that can change color to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Then there are the ones who have a more sinister and deadly approach like we have here in the Appalachian Mountains. The copperhead has a color pattern that makes it almost completely unnoticeable as it lays on the fallen leaves that cover the ground. The poisonous snake just lays blending in waiting to pounce on unexpected prey and the occasionally hiker who gets to close. Things are not always as they seem, and Paul wants the church of Corinth to know this especially with those who are trying to influence them spiritually. Paul warns them of false prophets and teachers who will come in the name of Jesus but really, they are workers of the devil.
Paul says in verse 14 that we shouldn’t be surprised that satan masquerades himself as an angel of light. Our culture tells us that satan is a fiery red individual with pointy horns coming from his head, but Paul says this isn’t true. Satan is an expert in deception and will come to you as someone or something that is appealing and attractive in order to bait you in. We only must look at how he tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 to see this is true. Satan didn’t come to Jesus demeaning God or speaking ill of the scripture, instead he came quoting the scripture to deceive and mislead Jesus. He tried to use the truth of God’s word out of context to mislead Jesus and he will do the same today with you and me. Jesus gave us a warning in Matthew 7:15-20 that we should be on the lookout for wolves who are dressed in sheep sheep’s clothing. He said the only way we cannot be deceived is to closely watch the fruit that they bear in their lives and we need to follow the same rule today. Are they leading others in closer fellowship with God or are they consumed with self-interest and numbers?