7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul said that the LORD allowed a messenger of Satan to harass him. Paul never defines what the spirit that harassed him was, but many in the Church have made assumptions and theological guesses of what they could have been. The only problem is, we’ll never truly know what it was Paul was struggling with, so should we even debate over what it could have been? Could there be a bigger reason Paul kept what they were from us?
Paul is arguably the greatest apostle who ever lived; each letter he wrote was dictated to him by God Himself, so would there not be a reason to keep this hidden from us? Could it be that Paul left it to our imagination that we might insert our own struggle and have hope? Think about it: if Paul told us what the spirit tormenting him was, it would be more difficult for us to put ourselves in his shoes if we didn’t struggle with the spirit he did. Could it be that Paul was allowing us to have hope through the possibility that Paul not only struggled with the same spirit or sin that we do, but he was able to still be used by God? He was still able to be the greatest apostle who ever lived. He was still able to receive revelation after revelation.
Here’s what I’m getting at, it doesn’t matter what you struggle with. There is no sin that isn’t common to man. There is no sin that God cannot overcome and still use you. You are not your sin. Don’t allow what you struggle with to dictate your life and your self-worth. You are more precious than silver and gold. You have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. So, don’t allow other people’s opinions of who God can use to keep you from allowing God to use you. Keep fighting the good fight. If you fall down, get back up. Don’t stay in your sin; actively fight it. It may not be overcome overnight, but always remember His grace is sufficient for you.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Cling To His Grace.
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