What is YOUR "thorn in the flesh"?

[Simonides]

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[Verily]

The whole point of the Book of Job is not suffering but that true faith endures and perseveres throughout life, as it did in spite of the extreme suffering of Job.

It does say, tribulation works patience and that we have need of patience also

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

 

[Verily]

It does say, tribulation works patience and that we have need of patience also

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Here too, as with Job, same with Simon

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And w seem like he is doing just this here with the brethren as far as strenthening them in the trial of their faith

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

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.
— 2 Corinthians 12:7

But was it a literal thorn off a thorn tree, or was he speaking figuratively about some physical, spiritual, or mental attack on him from Satan? That's the real question. But it really doesn't matter, because Satan attacks us in different ways against different people.

 

[amigo de christo]

How is it that Marvelloustime always gets you but you lose me?

That was just my way of coming into the topic by asking what is the difference of A SPIRIT of infirmity in the flesh of that woman (by which Satan bound her in it) and A MESSENGER of Satan (or thorn in the flesh) of Paul. It's just the way they are both worded. Although I do know of the various interpretations out there (thorns in your sides, pricks in your eyes etc) but somewhat the same could be shown in Job. For example when Satan touched his flesh (not for its sake alone) but in doing that came with his expressed desire toward Job to curse God. So couldnt that be considered a temptation in his flesh? One delivered by Satan ( into Job's flesh) in the hopes that Job would curse God in otherwords. That also sounds very much like what Paul might say according to something similar. When he said, "the temptation" in my flesh you did not despise. I always thought, what a strange way to word it like that know what I mean?

I might not be catching that correctly, but I always come back to it time and time again.

that which i wrote to you was not about you or your question .
It was simply a reminder that came to me to just remind us about .
I didnt write it because i thought YOU were in error . I just wrote it .

 

[Verily]

that which i wrote to you was not about you or your question .
It was simply a reminder that came to me to just remind us about .
I didnt write it because i thought YOU were in error . I just wrote it .

Good to know, and whether you thought I was in error or not is neither here nor there with me trust me no worries about that. I was just trying to understand where you might be coming from on whatever thing I might have said so I could answer you. Sometimes I know immediately, at other times I can figure it out but sometimes I miss and I am not sure but Marveloustime catches you everytime. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Lizbeth]

No, Satan is acting independently yet with limitations to attack God's people, but God overcomes his attacks for their good. Let's keep it biblically straight.

Job 1:8-12

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.



Luk 22:31-32

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

[amigo de christo]

Job 1:8-12

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.



Luk 22:31-32

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And we know that all things work together for the good of those who LOVE THE LORD .
chastisements persecutions deep trials and afflictions
WORK to the good of those who love the LORD . Faith grows and does blossom .
MIGHT NOT FEEL too GOOD at the time but it worketh to the good of they who love the LORD .
That man might learn not to TRUST in themselves but IN THE LIVING GOD who is able to deliver us .
And now a word from long , long ago .
WE had the sentence of death within ourselves , SO that we would learn not to trust in us , but IN HE , GOD .
GOD knows how to prune them branches sister . Now to the trenches
cause the upmost of perseuctions and fiery trials shall increase upon EVEN the saints in WESTERN Socities
as we are cast out more and more from the many who love the lie .

 

[pepper]

No, Satan is acting independently yet with limitations to attack God's people, but God overcomes his attacks for their good. Let's keep it biblically straight.

Yes,let's.
Job itself shows us Satan was acting under the oversight of God.

God let him test Job. However,God also put conditions on that testing.

And being Omniscient and So ereign, God foreknew Job would hold to his fielty to God.

 

[Verily]

Yes,let's.
Job itself shows us Satan was acting under the oversight of God.

God let him test Job. However,God also put conditions on that testing.

And being Omniscient and So ereign, God foreknew Job would hold to his fielty to God.

Yeah, "THUS FAR BUT NO FURTHER"
He has him on some sort of divine leash

2 Cr 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

[PGS11]

I have always wondered what Paul's thorn in the side was I have heard different things. In my opinion it was the guilt he felt for hunting down Christians and having them stoned he was a feared figure as Saul.He threw his cloak down for the stoning of Stephen if he was a pharisee that's what they would do never stoning the person themselves letting the people do it so their hands were not dirty.He was riding to Damascus to have more Christian's stoned and imprisoned its actually a miracle conversion.But Christ does tell Paul his grace is sufficient for Paul to have eternal life.I hope Jesus will say his grace is sufficient for me.

 

[christs-love]

I don't want any speculation about the nature of Paul's "thorn in the flesh." Other threads do that kind of discussion. Finding out what it was is not my interest, but sharing our experiences with weaknesses is.

Mine is physical pain, four kinds, that started 38 years ago the third Friday in March. It developed at the very depth of my seven years of major depression, from which God has delivered me for more than three decades now.

God has said "no" to my many requests to take away my pain but has given me his grace to control it, be at peace about it, and remain effective in many years of preaching and teaching his Word in churches and of writing books to honor him.

The result is that he has humbled me, using Satan's attacks, to depend on him, especially in dependent prayer, so that I can testify clearly and honestly what Paul says, "When I am weak, I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

How has God used his grace to enable you to deal with your "thorn in the flesh"?

You're on my daily prayer list now, if that's okay with you.

Thanks fine by me, thank you for your kind prayers sir, your prayers for me have been answered, by the power of the holy ghost,I bless you in the name of our father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost AMEN.

I will also pray for you sir daily all the days of my life, I pray with my heart.

 

[christs-love]

So, you must disagree with Paul that his "thorn" was a "messenger of Satan" and that God brought good out of it by grace to humble Paul, is that right?

2 Corinthians 12 King James Version​

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 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 besought 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.

Full chapter, Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 12 - King James Version​

What you just said there that's exactly what happened to me, I'm a nobody, but through my testing,I realise that I love Jesus more than anybody else on know on earth, I love all my family with all my heart mind strength and love. Amen






.

 

[Gottservant]

My thorn in my flesh, is that my brain does not rest.

Imagine how hard it is to even figure out that your brain is not at rest, when it never is!

I don't begrudge God - "if I had the power of God, there would be many things I would change; but if I had the Wisdom of God, I wouldn't change a thing". Reconciling to God, despite a thorn: now there is courage!

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I will also pray for you sir daily all the days of my life, I pray with my heart.

Thank you very much, @christs-love!!

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

My thorn in my flesh, is that my brain does not rest.

Imagine how hard it is to even figure out that your brain is not at rest, when it never is!

I don't begrudge God - "if I had the power of God, there would be many things I would change; but if I had the Wisdom of God, I wouldn't change a thing". Reconciling to God, despite a thorn: now there is courage!

That's where God's gift of peace comes in, @Gottservant (Philippians 4:6-7).
Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

2 Corinthians 12 King James Version​

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 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 besought 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.

Full chapter, Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 12 - King James Version​

What you just said there that's exactly what happened to me, I'm a nobody, but through my testing,I realise that I love Jesus more than anybody else on know on earth, I love all my family with all my heart mind strength and love. Amen






.

Then, @christs-love, since you're not a nobody in God's sight, you can be his prayer-warrior!

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I have always wondered what Paul's thorn in the side was I have heard different things. In my opinion it was the guilt he felt for hunting down Christians and having them stoned he was a feared figure as Saul.He threw his cloak down for the stoning of Stephen if he was a pharisee that's what they would do never stoning the person themselves letting the people do it so their hands were not dirty.He was riding to Damascus to have more Christian's stoned and imprisoned its actually a miracle conversion.But Christ does tell Paul his grace is sufficient for Paul to have eternal life.I hope Jesus will say his grace is sufficient for me.

@PGS11, it sounds to me that he has already given you eternal life, since he has put that hope in you. I too hope for that day when Jesus returns and when he gives me a resurrection body that will have no imperfections, all by his grace.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Yes,let's.
Job itself shows us Satan was acting under the oversight of God.

God let him test Job. However,God also put conditions on that testing.

And being Omniscient and So ereign, God foreknew Job would hold to his fielty to God.

Yes, the point of the Book of Job is that true faith will last, even under the most severe suffering.