B
Brother Mike
Guest
Praise God everyone! We are going to examine Paul's thorn. We want scriptures to help us, we don't want to take scriptures out of context or have a understanding of something that contradicts other scriptures. The understanding of (Paul's Thorn) seems to get beat up a lot. What is the real meaning behind Paul telling us about this event in his life?
What can we learn from it? and how will understanding effect our own life when we make the changes?
Everything we know and understand in the Word of God should bring change. If it does not, then like James said, your a person that looked in a mirror and forgot what you looked like. (Be a doer, not a hearer only)
I will keep this as short as possible.
What is NOT in Paul's account of the thorn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) Paul was never sick, hurt (Well, not permanently hurt, I am sure he had bumps and bruises)
2) Jesus never denied giving Paul an answer to prayer. To do so would break many other scriptures.
3) Sufficient means more than what is needed. It does not mean hurting everyday and barely getting by.
4) God does not punish us for knowing things He taught us. He does not knock us down a peg or two in fear we might get prideful.
5) Paul tells us exactly what the thorn is, and tells us it's purpose.
6) Paul had the solution the whole time, and tells us the solution.
7) What happened to Paul was Paul's fault. Paul had to learn something and shared it with us.
Let's get started.
2Co 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul tells us about his boasting in all the wonderful revelation the Lord had given him. He doubts such boasting though is profitable in accomplishing anything. He knows there are more visions and revelations coming anyway.
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
The visions and revelations he is happy for and does boast. He is glad for those things but gives the conclusion here that knowing a bunch of stuff is not what is important but would rather glory or have joy in those things he is weak in. He is going to tell us why.
2Co 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
Paul tells us that if He should boast, it will not be as a braggart, but full of truth and only what is needed that others may not look at him being more than he is.
Now pay attention. Paul explained to us that he is thankful and has boasting rights for all the wonderful things the Lord had given him. He said he will not boast though as a braggart but speak only the truth and what is needed that others will not look upon him as being more than he was. Paul does not have a pride issue here, he has another issues.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Now read this carefully. So that Paul would not speak the truth and be exalted (by people) through what Paul has learned from the Lord. Satan sent a messenger to hinder, or stop Paul, so that the truth Paul had would not be made as truth to others.
Paul was not being prideful here. He was trying to get people to follow him as He followed Christ through the abundance of knowledge that the Lord had given him. (1 Cor 11:1) Satan sent a demonic spirit with another message to spread to the people. It was a anti-gospel message this messenger was spreading in order to stop Paul. Satan stopped Paul in his tracks, and kept Paul from getting the Word of God out to others.
Paul tells us what the thorn was. It was a messenger of Satan who was feeding the people lies. Paul said we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, so Paul knew what the problem was and why the people were being so mean and resistant to Paul's message. The people were the physical thorn as Paul was just quoting Old Testament. Thorns in the Old Testament represented a people that hindered. (Num 33:55) (Jdg 2:3) (2 Sa 23:6)
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Paul asks the Lord 3 times for this messenger to depart. Paul is not blaming the people, but the spirit behind the people. Paul wants this messenger out of there so He can continue his work. The Lord never told Paul no, the Lord never answered the first two times. Paul already knew the answer, but often the Lord reminds of things we already know about to get us back on track.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Lord said, that His Grace is sufficient. Where your weak Paul, I am strong. What the Lord was saying is that everything is already done. The power is already there, the work of the cross is complete. Your problem Paul is that you went in relying on the vast knowledge I gave you, and not my anointing and grace to get the job done. Knowledge without grace and anointing are empty words, using your own ability and not mine.
Paul gets it. So Paul says I would rather glory and be thankful for those things I know little about and am weak in so that I have to depend and have no choice but to rely on the Lords anointing.
Christ means anointing and ability on the believer. Christ means Jesus the anointed one, and His anointing for us to get the job done. Without that, we do things under our own ability, and it comes up short.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Since Paul knows so much revelation knowledge, He said he looks forward to those things not in his control. Infirmities, (tired, weak, sick) reproaches, (from others, mean people) Necessities (getting his needs met) Persecutions (really mean people) distresses (when your having that very bad, no good day.) because I have no control over those things, I have no choice but to abide in the anointing of the Lord and become strong.
When listening to people I watch out for phrases like.
"I have a great voice, I would be perfect to lead your praise and worship."
"I can sing better than so, and so."
"I can put together your car with my eyes closed."
While physically these things may be true about someone, they are not looking to the Lord's ability on them. Without the Lord's ability on them, I can't use them.
I may know tons of scripture, and have revelation, but I won't step up to teach unless there is a anointing to do so. I tried it a few times and it just does not work. Even taking my computer apart to fix something I pray first. Lord, you know more about computers than I do, show me anything I might have missed, I want you working through me and not doing this on my own. I built my own computer, and know how it works, but I don't know more than God about it.
Never say your not good at something when you are. That is false humility and that is not good. Be confident in what you know, but don't let what you know gain more confidence in what the Lord can do through you with what knowledge you have. Be very careful about saying I can organize that with no problem, or can set that up, no worries. It's best to say that you know how, but your getting help from the Lord first.
Paul wrote this later.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ (The anointed one and his anointing) which strengtheneth me.
Never be afraid to step out and do things your not confident in. Don't miss your promotion due to you thinking that you don't have the ability. Just like Paul, there is an anointing and ability from the Lord to get the Job done He has called you to do. Being prepared as much as possible is good, you need to be, but when it's show time, also be prayed up and counting on the Lord with confidence. In other words, not studying for that final examine because where your weak the Lord is strong is not going to cut it. Faith gets ready.
Mike.
What can we learn from it? and how will understanding effect our own life when we make the changes?
Everything we know and understand in the Word of God should bring change. If it does not, then like James said, your a person that looked in a mirror and forgot what you looked like. (Be a doer, not a hearer only)
I will keep this as short as possible.
What is NOT in Paul's account of the thorn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) Paul was never sick, hurt (Well, not permanently hurt, I am sure he had bumps and bruises)
2) Jesus never denied giving Paul an answer to prayer. To do so would break many other scriptures.
3) Sufficient means more than what is needed. It does not mean hurting everyday and barely getting by.
4) God does not punish us for knowing things He taught us. He does not knock us down a peg or two in fear we might get prideful.
5) Paul tells us exactly what the thorn is, and tells us it's purpose.
6) Paul had the solution the whole time, and tells us the solution.
7) What happened to Paul was Paul's fault. Paul had to learn something and shared it with us.
Let's get started.
2Co 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul tells us about his boasting in all the wonderful revelation the Lord had given him. He doubts such boasting though is profitable in accomplishing anything. He knows there are more visions and revelations coming anyway.
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
The visions and revelations he is happy for and does boast. He is glad for those things but gives the conclusion here that knowing a bunch of stuff is not what is important but would rather glory or have joy in those things he is weak in. He is going to tell us why.
2Co 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
Paul tells us that if He should boast, it will not be as a braggart, but full of truth and only what is needed that others may not look at him being more than he is.
Now pay attention. Paul explained to us that he is thankful and has boasting rights for all the wonderful things the Lord had given him. He said he will not boast though as a braggart but speak only the truth and what is needed that others will not look upon him as being more than he was. Paul does not have a pride issue here, he has another issues.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Now read this carefully. So that Paul would not speak the truth and be exalted (by people) through what Paul has learned from the Lord. Satan sent a messenger to hinder, or stop Paul, so that the truth Paul had would not be made as truth to others.
Paul was not being prideful here. He was trying to get people to follow him as He followed Christ through the abundance of knowledge that the Lord had given him. (1 Cor 11:1) Satan sent a demonic spirit with another message to spread to the people. It was a anti-gospel message this messenger was spreading in order to stop Paul. Satan stopped Paul in his tracks, and kept Paul from getting the Word of God out to others.
Paul tells us what the thorn was. It was a messenger of Satan who was feeding the people lies. Paul said we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, so Paul knew what the problem was and why the people were being so mean and resistant to Paul's message. The people were the physical thorn as Paul was just quoting Old Testament. Thorns in the Old Testament represented a people that hindered. (Num 33:55) (Jdg 2:3) (2 Sa 23:6)
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Paul asks the Lord 3 times for this messenger to depart. Paul is not blaming the people, but the spirit behind the people. Paul wants this messenger out of there so He can continue his work. The Lord never told Paul no, the Lord never answered the first two times. Paul already knew the answer, but often the Lord reminds of things we already know about to get us back on track.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Lord said, that His Grace is sufficient. Where your weak Paul, I am strong. What the Lord was saying is that everything is already done. The power is already there, the work of the cross is complete. Your problem Paul is that you went in relying on the vast knowledge I gave you, and not my anointing and grace to get the job done. Knowledge without grace and anointing are empty words, using your own ability and not mine.
Paul gets it. So Paul says I would rather glory and be thankful for those things I know little about and am weak in so that I have to depend and have no choice but to rely on the Lords anointing.
Christ means anointing and ability on the believer. Christ means Jesus the anointed one, and His anointing for us to get the job done. Without that, we do things under our own ability, and it comes up short.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Since Paul knows so much revelation knowledge, He said he looks forward to those things not in his control. Infirmities, (tired, weak, sick) reproaches, (from others, mean people) Necessities (getting his needs met) Persecutions (really mean people) distresses (when your having that very bad, no good day.) because I have no control over those things, I have no choice but to abide in the anointing of the Lord and become strong.
When listening to people I watch out for phrases like.
"I have a great voice, I would be perfect to lead your praise and worship."
"I can sing better than so, and so."
"I can put together your car with my eyes closed."
While physically these things may be true about someone, they are not looking to the Lord's ability on them. Without the Lord's ability on them, I can't use them.
I may know tons of scripture, and have revelation, but I won't step up to teach unless there is a anointing to do so. I tried it a few times and it just does not work. Even taking my computer apart to fix something I pray first. Lord, you know more about computers than I do, show me anything I might have missed, I want you working through me and not doing this on my own. I built my own computer, and know how it works, but I don't know more than God about it.
Never say your not good at something when you are. That is false humility and that is not good. Be confident in what you know, but don't let what you know gain more confidence in what the Lord can do through you with what knowledge you have. Be very careful about saying I can organize that with no problem, or can set that up, no worries. It's best to say that you know how, but your getting help from the Lord first.
Paul wrote this later.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ (The anointed one and his anointing) which strengtheneth me.
Never be afraid to step out and do things your not confident in. Don't miss your promotion due to you thinking that you don't have the ability. Just like Paul, there is an anointing and ability from the Lord to get the Job done He has called you to do. Being prepared as much as possible is good, you need to be, but when it's show time, also be prayed up and counting on the Lord with confidence. In other words, not studying for that final examine because where your weak the Lord is strong is not going to cut it. Faith gets ready.
Mike.
