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"Your minds may be corrupted..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:3

EVIL INFLUENCE

Paul was deeply concerned about how the Corinthians had been deeply and adversely affected. Evil influence may be traced to the Evil One himself.

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived
Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:3

1. “But I fear, lest somehow”

a) This was not an inordinate kind of fear.

b) Understanding this sense of “fear”.

i) Cautiousness

ii) Awareness

iii) Deep concern

c) Paul was aware of how cunning the Devil was.

2. “As the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness”

a) This is certainly a reference to the tempting of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).

b) The serpent deceived Eve.

c) She was the easier target.

d) She was the one who inveigled Adam to sin.

e) Great craftiness was employed by Satan.

3. “So your minds may be corrupted”

a) Sin corrupts the mind.

b) Evil thoughts can stay in the mind, corrupting it.

c) Doubts seep in and stay.

d) Cynicism and unbelief lurk nearby.

4. “The simplicity that is in Christ”

a) The word “simplicity” does not mean “simple-mindedness”.

b) The following nuances are to be noted.

i) Innocence

ii) Purity

iii) Single-heartedness