Arrogance, grace, thorns in the flesh, and messengers of Satan
By Dean Collins
You could develop conceit or arrogance over any number of things: financial status, academic success, athletic prowess, physical stamina, or physical appearance. We might even take pride in our humility! Pride, arrogance, and conceit are bigger battles for us than we probably realize.
Paul was being challenged by what he called “super apostles” to prove his calling and authority as a spokesman of the gospel and a leader in the church. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul reminded this group that he had a remarkable pedigree and education according to the standards of the most qualified Jewish rabbi. But he said here and elsewhere that he considered these things rubbish compared to the grace of God made available to him in Christ.
Tempted to pride
As I wrestled with this passage this morning, I thought about where I might be tempted to pride. I try not to think about what I have accomplished in my life. For instance, I have never hung a diploma on a wall in my home or office. Undergraduate and graduate achievements are in a box in the attic — I think. The same is true for any awards I’ve received in my youth or since. I have chosen over the course of my life not to self-promote, even to myself.
Even as I consider what I wrote above, I realize it would be tempting to have pride in my unwillingness to talk about my success. I truly believe that whatever I am and whatever I have is truly and completely based on the grace of God. I have attempted to be mindful of looking for areas where I might be prideful. I try to surrender these to God. This passage in 2 Corinthians can and must challenge us individually to the places where pride and arrogance hide.
Thorns in the flesh
In the same section, Paul also talks about thorns in the flesh. And here again, I’m guessing all of us could make our own lists. Of course, we don’t want to be prideful and compare the list to see who wins the most thorny side award! Paul seemed to be referencing a specific thorn. Scholars have arguments for a variety of possibilities: physical problems like weak eyesight, marital status, the number of times he was abused and beaten, or maybe even this group of super apostles.
Our list might be health concerns, family or marriage issues (past or present), financial challenges (some since childhood), physical temptations, or the lingering pressure of addiction.
As a university leader, I can think of many thorns that come with the job. One of them is definitely the relentless pursuit of adequate funding for our mission. I suspect every church leader has felt this strain. And whether one leads a faith-based entity as I do, or any other business or start-up, financial struggles often are thorns in the leader’s side.
Messengers of Satan
Are our thorns “messengers of Satan”? That was Paul’s claim. My answer is they very well might be. Our enemy does seek to distract, harm, and even destroy us. It might not always be obvious, but it is always devious. Consider reading C.S. Lewis’s classic Screwtape Letters as an example of how the enemy lurks and works in clever ways to trip us up and accomplish his mission.
Paul gives us a strong reminder in Ephesians 6 of the spiritual battle we face. Paul also instructs us how to prepare for the spiritual warfare that is always going on in heavenly places. The apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 5, also weighs in with insight and direction about the enemy’s work.
Paul prayed, even pleaded, that the Lord remove the thorn from his side. At the point of his writing, that hadn’t happened. We don’t know if it ever happened until his time on earth ended and his forever time with the Lord began. What we do know is that Paul heard the word of the Lord and accepted it as enough. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Boast in weakness
Based on the sufficiency of God’s grace and the subsequent release of power that comes with surrender, Paul said he would endure and even boast with joy about his weaknesses because then he would experience the power of Christ resting on him. Paul was content with his weaknesses and with all of the difficulties that came with his apostleship because he knew and experienced that through his suffering and weakness he was made strong.
This is not a pep talk. It is not a halftime locker room speech. It is a clear reminder from God through Paul’s example and teaching that God works best and always through our weaknesses. We can and should offer our best self, including all of our talents, capabilities, personality, competencies, and experience to God. He will use them all. But God’s strength is shown not in our personal power or expertise; his power is shown in our weakness. And his grace is sufficient for today and for every moment, especially in the hardest ones.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV
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