WHERE IS YOUR THORN?

NETTIE-OLOGY: It is not a pre-requisite for living but I really believe: We need some type of anchor, a reminder, that keeps us from becoming great in our own eyes.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 (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. 

The thorn is a fleshly thing, it cannot penetrate the soul nor can it destroy your spirit.

GALATIANS 5:16-17 NKJV
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Look again at 2 Corinthians 5:17. “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me”. Who gave him that thorn? I believe YHWH allowed Satan to ‘bother’ Paul, just as he allowed Satan to attack Job. The Apostle says this is why the thorn is there:  “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

When people compliment me I am most appreciative BUT I have to caution myself not to “get the big head”! I don’t ever want to be so full of myself that my flesh takes priority over the Spirit that is in me. It is important that I be aware of the demonic attacks that are ever present but not give into them.

Satan can only influence the flesh: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit”. 

Many Christians leaders, and I do mean “many” have fallen to the temptations of the flesh. These individuals have embraced the thorn in their side, reinterpreting it not as a “messenger of Satan” but a “new understanding of GOD’s Word”.

Pain from the thorn should lead you to YHWH for help. 

PSALM 9:9-10 (KJV)
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

PSALM 91:2 (KJV)
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 

Where is your thorn?

Have you embraced it? Do you believe that this is the best you can do because ‘it is what it is’? Do you think you are stuck with what you have and therefore you have factored in your problems as a part of “life”?

Have you redefined what you believe? This is what many people seem to be doing these days. We see church leaders accepting abortions as OK with GOD. People who believe in JESUS as the Son of God endorsing same sex relationships.

The thorn challenges us. The thorn reminds us of our limitations. The thorn humbles me thus like the Apostle I am grounded by my limitations. 

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7   THE VOICE
To keep me grounded and stop me from becoming too high and mighty due to the extraordinary character of these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh—a nagging nuisance of Satan, a messenger to plague me!

I see quite a few “high and mighty” (see above) church leaders today. Pampered people who believe they have been delivered from the thorn. The Apostle Paul asked YHWH to remove the the thorn and He said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  These church leaders only reveal their weakness when they get caught, and then some of them justify their actions using the Bible.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 NKJV
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.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It is true I am biased when it comes to mega churches. I firmly believe that the Pastor is the Shepherded of the people and he cannot watch over thousands of people. It was Moses Father-in-law who told him there was too many people to manage personally. The Apostle Paul did not have a church but encouraged those who did.  Yeshua trained men to disciple others; He did not have a church though he ministered to thousands. The ideal church is small one hundred people is a large enough group for one man to oversee- fifty is even better.

I am not a church leader, nor am I a famous author. More people know me today than the number of people who knew me ten years ago. I receive a lot of accolades and encouragement and there are times when I struggle to remain humble. I really do believe I can write good stuff! (THORN- not all the time.)If I have to remain humble with five people telling me I am smart how much more effort does it take when you lead a mega-church?

What about if you are the C.E.O. of a major corporation? What if you are the General Manager of a business? What if you are the Office Manager? The Team Leader or the Shift Supervisor? What if you are the Head of the Household?  What keeps you humble?

What keeps you up at night talking to Elohim when all is well?

LUKE 22:39-43 (KJV)
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 

                                                                                      written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.