Pain in the Butt by Bill Whittaker My wife has been bugging me for the past couple of weeks to write an article for the newsletter. It is difficult to write something that is not perceived as controversial by some. The problem is that the Word of God can be controversial and everyone has a different take on it. There are denominations (divided nations of God’s people) because they unite or divide on truth. We are called to speak the truth in love. Love is long suffering so we all need to learn to love each other in spite of our differences. This is my take on something I have heard many people preach about. I believe God has shown me His Spirit in His Word and His Spirit is the only way to view His Word correctly. You may have a different take on this and I always encourage researching anything I say or write about for yourself. God is the final authority, not me and He will lead you into all truth. People have called me a pain in the butt or a pain in the neck in the past. Most of the time they are just joking around but sometimes they are serious. I will have to admit that sometimes I am a pain in the butt. We all are if we are honest with each other. Some pains are caused by movement in an area we have not moved in a while. If I have not exercised in a long time, a brisk run may make me feel sore for a day or two. Criticism, negativity and resistance can also be a pain in the butt. You can use these pains to motivate more exercise, more study, etc., to refine your body or your message with greater passion and conviction. These pains can also cause discouragement and stop many people from doing the will of God for their lives. James did warn: James 3:1 (NKJV) The Untamable Tongue 3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. Knowing this, I will write anyway and try to use any comments, good or bad to strengthen my passion and my understanding. I may just be a pain in the butt. Either way I will continue to press on and press through whatever resistance I may encounter and learn as I go. Theres a “pain in the butt” in the Bible that has caused division and ultimately a wavering in faith for many believers - a thorn. 2 Corinthians 12:6-8(NKJV) 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. The Thorn in the Flesh 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. I made the parts that I wanted to focus on larger and bold so you could see them. The first mention of thorns in the Bible that I can find is in Genesis. Thorns were part of the curse. Genesis 3:18(NKJV) 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. A few other instances I see thorns referring to people in the word. Numbers 33:55 (NKJV) 55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. Another example: Joshua 23:13 (NKJV) 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the Lord your God has given you. God redeemed us from the curse of the law. AMEN!! Galatians 3:13 (NKJV) 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) Hebrews 6:8 (NKJV) 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. God didnt redeem us from the curse to put the curse back on us or in our side. If we have an abundance of revelation to bring people to Jesus, Satan will do everything he can do including sending a messenger to buffet us. If you don’t have an abundance of revelation, you probably won’t encounter a thorn in the flesh or messenger of Satan. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh. It also doesnt say that the thorn in the flesh was a sickness or a disease. It was an infirmity which means: in·fir·mi·ty inˈfərmitē/ noun 1.physical or mental weakness. It can also mean sickness or disease but not in this instance. The thorn in the flesh was a messenger of Satan. 2 Corinthians 12:7. This is a person or a “pain in the butt” to keep the abundance of revelation that Paul had received from being known. Paul had an abundance of revelation about God and the good news of the Gospel. If this revelation got out or was exalted highly it would have set the world on fire for Jesus. The thorn came from Satan and was keeping Paul from being exalted by God in the eyes of the people. Think about this. Why would God send his Son to die on the cross for our sins and free us from the curse of the law and then hinder a man with an abundance of revelation from getting this abundance of revelation out to the people so that the people could be set free? Satan hates God and doesnt work for God nor would he obey God if God sent him to do a work to humble Paul. Pride is a sin. Why would Satan come to buffet a proud Paul? That makes no sense. If we believe God sends sickness and disease to make us humble, we will never have faith to fight against it. How can we pray and believe in faith if there is any doubt about our Fathers character and love and behavior toward those who are His children? James 1:6-8 (NKJV) 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways 1 John 3:8 (NKJV) 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. God is not partnering with Satan and giving out thorns and sickness to His children. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil not use them to manipulate people. In our weakness, God tells us that His grace is sufficient. grace- Definition: grās/ noun 1. simple elegance or refinement of movement. 2. (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Gods grace is the favor or strength to overcome the sickness or weakness so we can still do whatever we have been called to do. I believe if Paul wasnt buffeted by the messenger of Satan there would be a lot less confusion about the Word in general and far more people would be on fire for God. This world would be experiencing the physical kingdom of God on the outside in greater manifestations instead of it being locked up on the inside of believers. If Paul was exalting himself above measure or proud then God wouldnt have given him grace after Paul was humbled to exalt himself again. James 4:6(NKJV) 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”[a] God exalted those who did the work of the ministry. Joshua 3:7(NKJV) 7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. We need to know who is doing what to us so that we know what to submit to and what to resist. When my daughter had cancer, I really needed to know who was doing what and I really needed to know God’s character and love. Once I knew the character of God, I got heated and fervent in prayer with authority in the name of Jesus against the leukemia that was attacking Hannah. Hannah is alive and well today with no symptoms. James 4:7(NKJV) 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. If Satan is sending a messenger to buffet you because of revelation you have about God, you will need the grace of God to resist him. His grace is sufficient but don’t let Satan steal what God has for you or stop you from fulfilling
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:05:27 +0000
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