Life Without Scheming

“We can be proud of our clear conscience. We have always lived honestly and sincerely, especially when we were with you. And we were guided by God’s gift of undeserved grace instead of by the wisdom of this world.”

—2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV / CEB)

Wow! What a verse.

The apostle Paul is writing to the wild and wacky Corinthians who had gone off the deep end with all kinds of compromise, conflict, and chaos.

This paragraph is like a mini manual for human relationships. Paul makes it clear: his boast is not in human strength or wisdom but in honesty, sincerity, and complete dependence on God’s grace.

Unfortunately, the Corinthians were not operating on that same basis—as evidenced by Paul’s need to write yet another letter trying to straighten them out. Some were following false teachers who conveniently affirmed their arrant nonsense. Others were loudly criticizing Paul. Many were trying to live however they wanted and still claim Christ.

Paul was operating in God-centered integrity.

The Corinthians… not so much. They were looking for spiritual loopholes and workarounds.

Faith is life without scheming.

When I think of scheming, I picture something or someone unsavory—

A hand-wringing witch cackling over a cauldron…

A slimy someone in a shiny ill-fitting suit…

A slinky smooth-talking siren with too much makeup and sex appeal.

Pick your stereotype.

But the Holy Spirit humbled me to see that scheming can be far more ordinary than that.

It can be subtle.

It can be socially acceptable.

It can look like “responsibility,” “wisdom,” or “being proactive.”

Oxford defines scheming as:

“given to or involved in making secret and underhanded plans.”

Now, let me issue the disclaimer: I am not conniving.

But I have been controlling.

And sometimes I fooled myself about my motives.

Most of my “plans” were really an attempt to manage fear—fear disguised as wisdom, urgency, or care.

But Scripture is clear:

The remedy for fear is God, not more control.

Control actually makes us feel more out of control.

Sometimes I acted too quickly because waiting felt unbearable.

I told myself I was being conscientious or caring—rather than consulting God and waiting for His clear direction, which took longer than I liked.

Let’s be honest: it is stressful to play God.

I’ve also been on the receiving end of scheming a lot—people trying to steer, silence, shape, or manipulate me to protect their narrative or comfort.

We can bring all of that to God too. We truly are powerless over others.

A Sidenote About Discernment…

(By the way, discernment is a spiritual gift—one you can freely ask the Holy Spirit for. See 1 Corinthians 12:10. It’s genuinely helpful but not always easy or fun.

If you have it, extra hugs for you. ❤️)

Real Faith is Radical

More radical than I want to be most days.

But it is so much easier when I trust God.

So:

**Don’t scheme.

Don’t plot.

Don’t push.

Don’t manipulate outcomes.**

Instead:

• Be honest with God and others.

• Seek God and His Kingdom first.

• Listen for His still, small voice.

• Repent and obey quickly to keep the line clear.

• Wait in peace, not panic.

• Lean in harder when things get difficult.

Then watch in wonder what God can do—

things no amount of scheming could ever accomplish.

PRACTICE

Ask God:

“Where am I scheming instead of trusting?”

Then:

Repent.

Regroup.

Respond.

Relax.

PRAYER

Dear Creator,

Forgive us for doing life without You—leaning on our own wisdom and strength instead of Your total sufficiency, infinite wisdom, and unwavering love. Grant us the grace to re/turn to You with confidence in Your goodness. Lead us out of scheming and into Spirit-led surrender.

We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus the Christ. Amen. Thank You. I love You.💖

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