"You can observe a lot by seeing."
What do you think Paul's thorn in his flesh was?? an idea? this is not a trick question!!
In the N.T. 2 Corithians chapter 12 verses 1-12 Paul prays to the lord about a thorn in his flesh that it might depart from him. and the lord told him "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect is weakness. Paul went on to say Most gladly therefore will i rather glory in my infirmities that the power of christ may rest upon me. therefore i take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in perseceutions, in distresses for christ's ake, for when ia m weak, than amd i strong.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Benji Williams on -
The bible says that Paul's thorn was a messenger of Satan sent to torment him so that he would not become to elated. I don't know what it was specifically. I believe that I have 3 thorns in my flesh. One is bipolar disorder but the other two I don't want to say. I pray that verse about God's grace being sufficient and all. It makes me feel blessed to be weak. I consider that we all have our weak points when it comes to sin. I'm happy that God doesn't think like the world.
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Permalink Reply by Crystal Logan on -
I agree with you Benji! I also have some thorns also and i stand on the word too his grace is sufficient. but do you think we have the thorns to keep us humble or not become elated? Didn't paul have the thorn due to the fact he had received so many revelations from the lord? and the lord did not want him to become puffed up? can we apply that to ourselves today also scripturally as maybe we have some problems staying meek and humble, not just you and I but others as well? just a thought? thank you for your posting. bless you
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Permalink Reply by Eric Highland on -
I believe it could have been an eyesight issue.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Cross on -
There are some who believe that Paul suffered from some physical deformity or injury that he was refering to. And that was why he called it a weakness.
But I'm inclined to agree that it was something else. Perhaps a particular sin that he struggled with, that was used of God to keep him humble. Or perhaps it was the mere memory of all the things he had done to destroy the Church prior to his own conversion. Knowing something like that could possibly haunt a man for the remaining days of his life. And there are some who believe that Paul was refering to this in chapter 7 of Romans (Oh wretched man that I am) and in 1 Timothy 1:15 (chief among sinners).
Yes, Crystal, I do believe that we are all given such thorns to deal with so that we'll remain humble when God chooses to use us in a mighty way. What could be a better way to "glory in my infirmities", except to acknowledge that God actually chooses to use me - Me. Yes, me. Broken, sinful, wretched me. - to accomplish His purpose and plan in this world. Knowing the sins I struggle with, and yet He doesn't reject me or cast me aside as worthless. Instead He embraces me, tells me that His grace is all I need, and then gives me my next assignment. That is sooooo God, and sooooo grace!
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Permalink Reply by Crystal Logan on
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that is good too tammy! if we knew, all the mystery would be taken out and we maybe would not study about it or even think about it. i like all your comments. and yes eric i have heard preachers preach that the thorn could have been his eyesight too!
and i also like what you said michael. very good too!
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Permalink Reply by jeff jones on -
yes he was but he was also up in age and this wouldn't be a spirit buffeting him.
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on -
THANK GOD, WE HAVE HIS WORD TO REMOVE ALL GUESSING. WE CAN READ AND ALLOW THE AUTHOR TO REVEAL EXACTLY WHAT HE IS SAYING!!
Psa 91:14-15 KJV Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Pro 18:10 KJV The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Psa 34:19 KJV Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psa 46:1 KJV ........ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Through the Grace of God we became heirs to these promises. The bible teaches us the God watches over these promises to fulfill them for those who act on them in faith. For Him to not answer my call for help in faith would make these promises a lie. If they are a lie then what about Rom.10:9-10? I believe that God is not a liar; that His promises are true and for 30 years I have called on Him in times of trouble and He has delivered me out of those troubles. Glory to His Name!!! I also learned from scripture that He is no respect or of persons, meaning He will do the same for you if you would believe His promises and act on them in faith!
Rom 5:17 KJV For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Luk 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Mar 16:17 KJV And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Luk 24:49 KJV And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Act 1:8 KJV But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
These scripture teaches us that Jesus has given us, including Paul, authority and Holy Ghost ability over allllllll the ability of satan. That means that if satan attacks, I have authority from The King to command him to stop and leave. Then I have ability from the Holy Spirit to fix what the devil messed up. Paul had that authority and ability also. We that are born again and Spirit filled according to Act 1:8 & 2:4 & Lu.24:49 & Jn. 14:12-14 have this AUTHORITY and HOLY GHOST ABILITY!!!
NOW WITH THAT IN MIND LETS READ ABOUT PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH.
Whenever this phrase is used in the bible it never refers to sickness, disease or sin. It is used figuratively for people or beings.
2Co 12:7-10 KJV 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. (8) For this thing I be sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (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. (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.
Has God ever told you something over and over and then you finally got it or understood it? This happen to Paul and when he finally got it he stop complaining and start rejoicing because he realized that when the power, ability if the King rest on you, you can handle the enemy the same way the King handles him; bind him and cast him out!!! I am not forgetting the fact that the bible says that those who live godly will suffer persecution and Paul did through beating and stoning, etc. Transfer the meaning of sufficient, strength and strong into 2Cor.12:7-10 and with all that I have said and see if you could come up with a different conclusion that would reveal the FAITHFULNESS AND LOVING KINDNESS OF OUR FATHER GOD!
Sufficient: Apparently a primary verb (but probably akin to G142 through the idea of raising a barrier); properly to ward off, that is, (by implication) to avail (figuratively be satisfactory): - be content, be enough, suffice, be sufficient.
Strength: From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Strong: From G1410; powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible: - able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on
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tHERE IS NO SCRIPTUAL PROOF THAT pAUL HAD BAD EYESIGHT. AS A MATTER OF FACT pAUL WAS HEALED OF THE BLINDNESS HE SUFFERED IN HIS ENCOUNTER WITH THE kING JESUS.
Act 9:17-18 KJV And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on
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I wrote a great big letter the other day. It was so big that i had to break it up into 4 parts. I also have friends that went with me on a mission trip. We got in a hostil situation and I was willing to die to protect them or give an arm for them. That does not mean they didn't have an arm.
Gal 6:11 KJV Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.G1121 γράμμα gramma
gram'-mah
From G1125; a writing, that is, a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning: - bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written.
This is the scripture you made reference to, along with the definition of the word letter!!
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on
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I have been standing in faith for perfect sight for 30 years. I don't continue to ask God to Heal me. I just meditate on healing scriptures because the word say's it's medicine to all your flesh. each year my sight got worse. I continued to stand for my healing. 4 years ago things started to change for the better and the last four years the optometrist has stated that my sight is no longer deteriorating. my stand and confession is that next year my sight will be perfeect, in Jesus name. That is my stand because I know it's God's will for me to be whole!!! And so I will.
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on
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If I would list the healings my wife and I have received over the last 30 years through the name of Jesus and confessing the word it would take several pages. God has'nt changes and niether has His word. My faith is stronger today than ever before. I will have what I say because Jesus said so.
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Permalink Reply by Ulysses Spann on
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Moses at 120 had perfect eyesight. We have a better covenant! God is no respecter of persons. My healing was bought and paid for by Jesus. I will have it!!
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