I was reading in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12 today and I read some controversial verses that have been used for generations to drive wedges between the denominations. As I read these, I thought of all the different interpretations and the vigor and strife and contention around them.
They surround 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
This verse has been used passionately by some mainstream denominational churches to show that God will curse you with a disability or disease of some type to keep you humble and to build character. They say that some problems are outside God’s ability or desire to cure because they are His perfect will. Some also say that you cannot expect to walk in supernatural health because, not even the Great Paul the Apostle was able to walk in health and that the thorn was a sickness that plagued him.
The one side of the isle says that this thorn was figurative and was probably either cataracts or a speech impediment. The opposite side of the topic says that the thorn was exactly as described in scripture; A demonic angle that’s purpose was to strike Paul over and over.
First, let me explain what I believe.
I believe that our God is ALL POWERFUL. The only thing out of the realm of the Father is that which is contrary to the Word of God. The following are some examples of how God has limited himself: God never changes. God doesn’t lie. God’s word does not return void but will accomplish that which it was sent.
I believe that God is Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord my Healer)
I believe, not only, that Jesus paid the price for our salvation, but he also paid the price for our health and that by His stripes we were healed. Just as we can receive the salvation he has already provided through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we can also receive healing by faith through the healing he as already provided.
I believe that demons are real and are a force in this earth. But I believe that they are not a force that has any power over you other than what you allow them to have. The weapon of demons are described as fiery darts that get shot into our mind (as wicked thoughts) and take a stronghold if we do not rebuke them. Demons are broken and powerless to the believer whom knows who he is in Jesus Christ. I don’t believe they can physically strike me in the face (buffet me), in the physical, but they can influence others to strike me, or steal from me or lie about me.
If you read 2 Corinthians 12 along with the preceding chapter, you will see that chapter 12 is a continuation of chapter 11. Paul is talking about boasting and that he will not boast in his achievements but boasts in his weakness. The end of chapter 11, he talks about how he has been in prison, flogged and exposed to death. Received 39 lashes five times, caned three times, stoned, shipwrecked, left floating in the open sea, hiding from bandits, gentiles and Jews, and has been hungry and cold and naked … You get the picture.
I believe that the thorn, in the side of Paul, was persecution that he was enduring for the furthering of the Gospel. If a demon was buffeting Paul, it would come in the form of a fist from one of his persecutors.
You see, whenever you press into the higher calling of God, you get the attention and resistance of the enemy. This will not be, as in a horror movie where a demon jumps out from under the bed with knife-like fingernails, but it will be through circumstances that impact you. Paul counted his sufferings as gain. He did not cry out to God to please stop the stones from hurting me. Or save me from my certain death in a Roman prison. But he did pray three times, as Jesus did once, if it is within your will, may this cup be taken from me. (i.e. This burden weighs so heavy on my spirit at times, if there is another way to accomplish Your will, while avoiding these sufferings, please show me the way.)
If you are sick in your body, there is good news. God does not want you sick. In fact, he wants you well and provided the provision for your healing. Through His divine power, He has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. That is GOOD NEWS.
If you want to learn more of these precious gifts, including divine health, which has been provided for you, there are many sources. The first and most important being a good faith based church.
If your pastor is more concerned about growing his numbers and milks down the Word to ensure it doesn’t offend anyone, you need to find another church.
If you pastor believes that you shouldn’t believe God for a healing because if you don’t receive the healing. in your own time, you could loose your faith, you need to find another church.
If your pastor only preaches a feel good sermon, and you never feel challenged and uncomfortable, he is not preaching the full Word and you need to find another church.
If your pastor is terrified about being publicly stereotyped a ‘faith preacher’ or ‘prosperity preacher’, you need to find a new church.
If your pastor tip-toes around ungodliness and allows it to thrive because he doesn’t want to be seen as insensitive, you need to find a new church.
If it’s been years since you have had a revelation moment, such as when you discerned the truth about salvation, you need to find a new church.
The Word of God is living and alive and should be exploding with revelation.
If that is you and you are looking for a strong Man of God to get planted under to learn the Truth of what God has for you, I welcome you to join me at Faith Builders Church International on 9th Street and Bell Road. Pastor Jerry Pruitt will lead you to the truth which will be individually and personally confirmed by the Holy Spirit should you listen and receive.
If you are not ready for a change but need to get the fire of God burning again, such as when you were born again, another good source for free is Andrew Wommack. He places for free all his teachings online so you can listen to them and grow your faith and knowledge. His teaching on God Wants You Well is fantastic and will open your eyes.
And most importantly, spend time in the Word. God communicates to you through His Word. If you are not planting the Word into your spirit, you are inevitably planting something else there. Either the Word will take root or a weed will take root.
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