2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (HCSB)
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
Paul had no patience for those who were leading God’s people astray, urging them to turn away from the gospel they had first believed to their “new and improved” gospel based on man’s ideas and on concepts foreign to God’s plan. Paul saw those men for what they truly were: servants of the darkness, messengers of satan, sent not to build up, but to tear down.
Paul notes that satan himself doesn’t come to people as himself. If he did, people would flee from him, and he would be hamstrung in what he was trying to accomplish. So, when he comes, he comes in disguise, appearing as an angel of light, promising that people under his leadership will advance more quickly (even all the way to actual godhood! (Genesis 3:5) and urging them to accept his “help”.
Seeing through satan’s disguise requires discernment and wisdom, both of which Paul had. He could see that the goal of these false apostles was not to grow God’s kingdom, but to grow their own following. It was not to glorify God, but to glorify themselves. It was not to make God’s people stronger, but to make themselves richer. All of these are worthy of condemnation, so Paul both condemns them, and points to God’s future condemnation of them.
Father, we have been conditioned by modern movies and television shows to believe that good things and people are beautiful on the outside, and that bad or evil things and people are ugly, repulsive on the outside. We turn away from your divine discernment and judged by mere appearances (1 Samuel 16:7; Galatians 2:6). So, when satan shows up and isn’t hideous, but seems beautiful and wise in whatever form or person he comes, we swallow the bait and are deceived. Lord, give us clear discernment so that we can see the enemy and those who are working his agenda for what they truly are, so that we are not deceived, and so that we follow only You and Your true messengers. Amen.