“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–21a.
As a comic book superhero fan, I couldn’t resist this title as Paul calls the silver-tongued preachers leading the Corinthian church astray “super-apostles”. But as amusing as that sounds, this battle has serious, eternal consequences.
I’ve always loved and admired great orators who can command a stage. From Martin Luther standing before the Papal Court and maintaing his position to not recant, and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” to gifted Christian speakers, my seminary lecturers and my favourite theologians. But the danger for everyone (including myself) is when we get swept up in the “cult of personality”, the magic of a gifted orator whose words we take on board uncritically just because of that gift.
Nowadays, I’ve found myself motivated to “take a step back” mindfully in the heat of the moment, to passively observe and ask the question “what is fact and what is personal opinion?” And sometimes I’ve realised that what was being said was obvious and nothing revolutionary, despite the commanding performance. At other times, it’s a brilliant truth highlighted by great delivery. Still others, an excellent delivery, but patently incorrect.
Unfortunately for the context in today’s reading, the faithful at Corinth were being deceived just as the first humans were in the garden, giving ear to a convincing speaker with bad teaching! Paul raises the alarm at the danger of being seduced by teachings that distort the true gospel and lead believers away from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ”.
In chapter 10, Paul addresses the murmurs against his humble ministry, that he is “all bark” in his letters but “no bite” and unimpressive in person.
Today’s text reminds us that devotion to Christ isn’t about appearances, eloquence or perceived “spiritual power”. It’s about faithfulness to the gospel. Like the Corinthians, we too can be vulnerable to subtle distortions where Christ is mentioned. However, the message is no longer truly His.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for the free gift of salvation You have given me, and I thank You for the changes in my life as I walk the path You set out for me. Help me to continue to see that path truthfully by keeping in Your Word and sacrament and recognizing the attempts to pull me away from that path.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
