or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.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.And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.
4 sermons cite this verse
… That's true. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 7 tells us this. Paul says, and at least I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations. Paul is saying, verse 7, God has shown me so much and I've got so much to preach and teach on. So to keep me from getting heady and proud about that, a thorn in the flesh was given to me a messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I be exalted above measure. Is this amazing? Are you guys awake? This is amazing. Paul understands this and he's okay with it. He's got this affliction, something's going on. He talks to God about it and God shows him. Paul, you have to be kept humble because if I just let you alone with all the information that you have, it'll go to your head. You'll self-destruct. Verse 8, concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. …
… have been given this so that you would not be lifted up above what is appropriate. In fact, Paul says twice in 2 Corinthians 12, verse 7, that he was given this thorn, listen, to keep me from exalting myself. And then at the end of the verse, 2 Corinthians 12, 7, and he repeats the same words, to keep me from exalting myself. What better use of current trials than allowing them to humble us? Goodness knows humility would wear well on most of us. A few of you have it, but you are rare, and you probably walk in humility because you have learned or are learning from your trials. reflecting on past blessings causes us to rejoice rehearsing present trials forces us to swallow our pride now the third reaffirming our commitment to integrity strengthens us with confidence and courage reaffirming our commitment to integrity strengthens us with confidence and courage the thing i love about job is he's not defeated in chapter 31 not proud but he's not defeated he in fact has the confidence and courage to say before god if this is true if that's true If you find any of that, you strike me. …
… speaking the truth, but I refrain from it so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times, three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But the Lord said to me, and by the way, can we all read this next verse together? It's such a powerful statement. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Again, one more time. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. …
… God used Satan to accomplish that 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 7 through 10 Paul, there was given me a thorn in my flesh a messenger of who? a messenger of Satan given to me, a messenger of Satan to drive me to trust in the strength that God provides. God used Satan to teach Paul to trust in his grace and his sufficiency. One more example, 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 20. Hymenaeus and Alexander, they have been handed over to Satan, uses the same language. I have handed them over to Satan so that they would be taught not to blaspheme. God has a purpose in this, and there's a lot of questions there. That's for those three or four sermons. There's a lot of questions there. It's mind-boggling to say the least, but the picture is God is sovereign over Satan, and God is, first, ultimate picture here is the purity of the church, but this is for the good of an individual, that being cast out of the church, he would see the severity of sin, that he would feel the consequences of not being united to the body of Christ. …