- Nov 23, 2020
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Today I would like to share something brief about Paul's thorn in the flesh to encourage faithful believers. The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, where Paul wrote:
“…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”
Paul doesn’t name the exact “thorn,” but the passage gives several clues to its purpose and effect.
The Purpose of the Thorn
Paul makes it very clear why the thorn was allowed:
• To keep him humble
Because Paul had received extraordinary spiritual revelations, God allowed this thorn so he wouldn’t become prideful.
• To teach him to rely on God’s grace
God answered Paul’s prayer by saying:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
If we look at the life of Paul, we can see that he lived as a faithful servant — yet he faced several challenges.
This should remind us that, in this life, we are not exempt from pain and suffering. Again, not all suffering comes from sin —God may allow it. So, may we learn not to complain too much about our struggles but to trust in God in complete surrender.
The thorn drove Paul into deeper dependence on God, not on his own strength. Whatever your thorn may be today, rely on God's strength.
Sometimes God delivers us from a problem; other times He gives us the strength to face it.
I pray the Lord gives you the strength to walk through the fires of affliction without being harmed in Jesus' name.
“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
—2 Corinthians 12:10
God loves you, Jesus loves you,
Stay blessed.
MyChristianPundit
“…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”
Paul doesn’t name the exact “thorn,” but the passage gives several clues to its purpose and effect.
The Purpose of the Thorn
Paul makes it very clear why the thorn was allowed:
• To keep him humble
Because Paul had received extraordinary spiritual revelations, God allowed this thorn so he wouldn’t become prideful.
• To teach him to rely on God’s grace
God answered Paul’s prayer by saying:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
If we look at the life of Paul, we can see that he lived as a faithful servant — yet he faced several challenges.
This should remind us that, in this life, we are not exempt from pain and suffering. Again, not all suffering comes from sin —God may allow it. So, may we learn not to complain too much about our struggles but to trust in God in complete surrender.
The thorn drove Paul into deeper dependence on God, not on his own strength. Whatever your thorn may be today, rely on God's strength.
Sometimes God delivers us from a problem; other times He gives us the strength to face it.
I pray the Lord gives you the strength to walk through the fires of affliction without being harmed in Jesus' name.
“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
—2 Corinthians 12:10
God loves you, Jesus loves you,
Stay blessed.
MyChristianPundit
