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Do Not Give Up

II Corinthians 4:1-5 – “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

In II Corinthians 4:1-10 the Apostle Paul gives us a strategy to overcome the assaults of the enemy. We have an enemy who has some effective tools in his arsenal to use against us.  A few of these tools are fear, oppression, discouragement, and condemnation.  The enemy will attack our minds, our wills, and our physical bodies, but we can overcome his attacks by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).

Paul pens these encouraging words in verse 1, “since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.”  The New Living Translation says, “we do not give up.”  Verse 1 begins with the word, “therefore.”  This connects chapter 4 to the preceding chapter.  Chapter 3 describes the ministry available to the believer.  It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  II Corinthians 3:17-18 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 

The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He prepares us for our eternal destiny.  We experience transformation when we encounter the glory of God.  We can also be attacked by the enemy.  He seeks to rob you of your intimacy and blessing.  He wants to thwart God’s plan in your life.  One of his favorite tools is to discourage us.  Paul writes, “do not give up.”  How do we overcome the enemy?

II Corinthians 4:2 says, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”  There are three things the Apostle outlines in this verse to empower us to overcome the tactics of the enemy:

First, we denounce the hidden things of shame.  We denounce and confess our hidden sins.  Proverbs 28:13 reads, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” What we keep secret the devil will use against us to keep us in condemnation.

Second, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully.  This refers to twisting the Scriptures to justify an unholy lifestyle.  We are not to deceive or use the Word of God deceitfully.

Third, manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. This simply means our behavior is to be honest.  Our word should be our bond and we are to be a people of integrity.  We must not give up.

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