Introduction:

A. We have all read about Paul's "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Cor. 12:7.

1. Paul, in defending his apostleship in the face of the charges of false apostles, has been forced to make reference to some things which were revealed to him in a vision 14 years ago. Although he speaks in third person, it seems obvious that he is talking about himself (vv. 1-6).

2. He goes on to tell us that he was given a "thorn in the flesh" so that he would not be "exalted above measure," a very real danger for anyone who had been shown the unspeakable things Paul had seen!

B. Much speculation has characterized attempts to identify this thorn in the flesh. It will be of more benefit to us not to identify it, but to try to learn from it; to be made better disciples by what it teaches us.

C. We are fortunate, because Paul tells us some things he learned from it. He shares with us some areas in which he was made better by having had it. There are other things we can learn from the implications of what is said in the text.
 
 
 

1. There is a lesson in prayer: sometimes God says "no."
1. We are told that Paul prayed three times that God would take away the thorn, which was likely some physical ailment, since it was "in the flesh."
2. Obviously, God's answer was "no." Notice, however, some things of which we need to be reminded when God says "no."
1. This did not mean it was wrong for Paul to ask for a "temporal" blessing. The Lord answered Paul, but did not rebuke him (cf. James 1:5; Phil. 4:6).
2. God sometimes says no to one request, so that He may grant some other blessing. Here, Paul certainly sees it as a blessing that he now has experienced the strength and power of Christ in a way that he could not have had the thorn been taken away (9-10).
3. Paul prayed "three times." We are reminded of when Christ prayed in the garden, and we suspect that Paul prayed with the same submission to God's will as did the Savior (Lu. 22:42). The point is that God knows better than we do what we need most. One of the greatest blessings in prayer is the blessing of God's refusal to grant some requests. Do you trust Him?

 
2. There is a lesson in theology: suffering is not "evil."
1. The atheist believes he has disproved the existence of God by asserting the existence of evil. Under the umbrella of evil, he places suffering. The argument goes something like this:
1. Evil exists.
2. God by His very nature would be all-powerful and all-compassionate.
3. Since evil exists, God is either not all powerful (or else he could remove it), or not all-compassionate (or else he would remove it). Therefore, God must not exist.
2. Of course, we could point out that the existence of evil does not disprove the existence of God. However, we do observe that suffering is not necessarily to be catalogued as evil.
3. From this text, we learn what we have also learned many times from experience. Suffering can be used to make one stronger, and to build character. This is what was happening in Paul's life, and anyone who has lived well into adulthood would have to admit the validity of the principle! (Psa. 119:67, 71).

 
3. There is a lesson in perspective: salvation really is the most important matter.
1. Paul was given this affliction so that he would not be exalted above measure. The implication is that Paul's spiritual well-being would have been threatened by his being lifted up in pride.
2. We saw in the previous point that one reason God sometimes says no to a request is so that He can grant a greater blessing. There is no greater blessing than the salvation of the soul, and Paul's affliction served to make him more fit for the ultimate glory!
3. Elsewhere, he makes the comparison between earthly suffering and future glory, and from it we see clearly that comfort in this life is not the most important thing
1. 2 Cor. 4:16-18
2. In these verses, Paul mentions the eternal verses the temporary. Whether we see that suffering can help us in our walk with Christ is a matter of our perspective as we consider these things.

 
4. There is a lesson in character: whether suffering turns out for our good depends upon our response to it.
1. Paul says that he will now "take pleasure in infirmities." It could have turned out another way, however. For many it has turned out the other way --
2. Notice how Paul describes the affliction -- it was a "messenger of Satan." At the same time he says it was sent "because of the revelations," and that he would not be "exalted above measure." The implication in the later phrases is that God had some purpose to accomplish in it.
1. Of course, Satan would not be interested in Paul's spiritual well-being; we know, however that God was.
2. Review the first two chapters of Job to see how God's part and Satan's part in our trials is played out. Suffering can be said to be both from God and from Satan!
3. What we want to learn is that how we deal with suffering depends on who we "listen" to in the process.
1. Satan would have gladly had Paul conclude that the revelations he saw were meaningless in light of the fact that God would allow him to suffer.
2. Yet, God teaches Paul that the suffering was for his good:
1. "My grace is sufficient for you."
2. "My strength is made perfect in weakness."
3. Of course, we will not expect God to speak to us in the same manner as he did to the inspired apostle. However, it is still true that our suffering carries with it two messages -- one right and one wrong. Which will we hear?