Featured The great battle against sin

And I think you would do well to read what the Bible says about Paul's "thorn in the flesh":

"Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Traditionally, commentators have often interpreted this "thorn" as a speech impediment (pulling from what Paul had just said implying possibly being "unskilled in speech" but not in knowledge

"For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things." 2 Corinthians 11:4-6

Last I heard, such "thorns" are not sins nor are they temptations to sin.

What do you believe Paul's "thorn in the flesh" to be and why do think it is an inclination to a particular sin?

 

The only indication that we have (if this is hinted at in Scripture) is being unskilled in speech....which seems to have been at least a type of issue.

Your response to me, when I said that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" doesn't equate to sin, was that I would do well to read more commentators. In fact, here is your reply:

Do you believe that his height or some physical issue would constitute a sin? If not, then what are you suggesting was Paul's "thorn in the flesh" that would constitute sin?

 

Again, this was your response to my statement that Scripture does not describe Paul's "thorn in the flesh" as a sin.

What sin do you believe Paul was tempted with to the extent he prayed unsuccessfully that God would remove it from his life?

 

Concentrate.

I have never said what this thorn was. I only said that Scripture doesn't associate it with sin.

YOU, on the other hand, seem to strongly disagree while lacking the.... fortitude... to back up your statement. Stott may have twice the education as I, but using that mentality I have twice the education as you AND the.....fortitude.... to say so.

Again, since you rejected so strongly my comment that Paul's thorn is not linked in Scripture to sin WHAT SIN DO YOU THINK PAUL ASKED TO BE DELIVERED FROM WITHOUT OBTAINING SUCH DELIVERANCE????

 

You don't say.

What sin did Stott think Paul was speaking of (what sin did God give to Paul to keep him humble)?

 

Then why such an extreme and sharp response to my post?

 

I find it interesting that this thorn was given to Paul for the purpose of keeping him from boasting (because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations of his vision). God gave the thorn, but at the same time this thorn was a "messenger of Satan to torment" him...for God's purpose of keeping him from exalting himself.

So often it seems we want to blame our difficulties on Satan, when in fact it may be the discipline of God in our lives.

 

If you remember, he did not heed the advice from getting married in the first place.

The only thing that Evan is consistent in is ignoring good Biblical advice.