2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelation, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet (‘beat’) me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Here in 2 Corinthians 12:7 the great Apostle Paul is “tormented” by the devil’s forces. It is a piece of scripture that can challenge the theology of some but it is there to expand your mindset about God’s dealings in your life. I can actually see the irony in this text. God is using the work of the enemy to assist Him in His sanctifying work within Paul.
Paul didn’t like this thorn in the flesh (whatever it was) and pleaded with God three times to remove it. But it was fulfilling God’s purposes and His grace would abound even more in Paul’s weakness.
Philippians 3:3 says, “not to put any confidence in the flesh”.
The flesh will always fail you. Christian maturity is not being able to “resist” a carnal desire when you are surrounded by it but having the wisdom and sense not to remain there! Joseph’s response was to flee from Potiphar’s wife.
The flesh will always desire after the carnality that is in this world. It’s not trying to “train the flesh” – no, crucify the flesh by staying away from the thing the flesh is coveting after.
What area of your life do you struggle with when it comes to the flesh? Don’t try to overcome your ‘thorn in the flesh” through will-power; self-discipline or any other kind of works – this is going back to the Law and falling from grace.
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Being justified by the law is trying to control your flesh through self-effort and discipline. The way to deal with the flesh is to flee, don’t feed it. But then turn to the way of grace:
Romans 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
God is revealing here it is through the abundant grace of God and the gift of Jesus' righteousness – not your righteousness! Every day you are supplied with grace to help you in your time of need – to supply you with all you need. But every day the more conscious you become of Jesus' gift of righteousness, the more that righteousness goes to work in your life. This is not through your might or your power – this is by the Spirit of God!
Zechariah 4:6 ‘It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit', says the Lord Almighty.