Discernment, Deception & Devotion - 2 Corinthians 11:1 - 15 | September 9, 2026

Join Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark, and Pastor Wendy Korbusieski as they dig into 2 Corinthians 11 and explore how believers can be led astray from sincere devotion to Christ, how deception rarely announces itself, and how to spot spiritual counterfeits before they take root. Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 11:1 - 15 - Paul expresses his godly jealousy for the church at Corinth, warning them not to be deceived by false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul also explains why he preached the gospel to them free of charge, refusing payment even as his critics used that refusal against him. In This Episode: Why deception never announces itself as deception, but disguises itself as something attractive or even spiritual How undivided devotion to Jesus protects against spiritual corruption, and how good things can become idols when they crowd out that devotion Practical discernment filters for evaluating leaders: fruit and character, response to correction, consistency, humility, and accountability How the shift away from Christ is usually subtle, not sudden, like the slow drift Andy Stanley describes in relationships and leadership Why watching how a leader treats people who can't benefit them (waitstaff, assistants) reveals true character The contextual reasons Paul refused a salary in Corinth, and why ministry leaders should ask "what do I need to do to serve these people" rather than "what am I entitled to" A story about John D. Rockefeller's dinner-table leadership test and what it reveals about hiring for humility Key Quote: "When you guard your heart against spiritual counterfeits, your single-minded devotion to Jesus becomes an imprint you'll see shield." About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast walking through the One Year Bible reading plan, offering brief, practical lessons rooted in Scripture. Each episode features honest conversation between the hosts as they wrestle with the text and apply it to everyday life and leadership. Church Info: One Single Story is a ministry of Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina. Learn more at visitopendoor.com or explore more episodes at onesinglestory.com. Subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a daily devotional. New episodes release every weekday to help you stay grounded in God's Word. Coming This Week: Continue following along in 2 Corinthians as the hosts keep unpacking Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, exploring themes of humility, suffering, and what it means to boast only in the Lord. Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #2Corinthians #SpiritualDiscernment #ChristianLeadership