“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV
Paul makes clear that “The extraordinary level of the revelations I’ve received is no reason for anyone to exalt me. For this is why a thorn in my flesh was given to me, the adversary’s messenger sent to harass me, keeping me from becoming arrogant.” The true character of spiritual revelations is that they exalt Christ, not people. It is a paradox that the greater our understanding of God, the less we truly know and the more humble we become. Paul refused to be exalted in the eyes of others. Of course Paul did not have a demon, but it was possible that a demon followed him to harass and hinder him, because of the constant misunderstanding and persecution that came to him because of his faith in Jesus. There is no indication that this “thorn” was a sickness. When he gave a list of hardships earlier, he didn’t mention a sickness or disease. Paul knew Christ intimately and therefore knew that only Christ is to be exalted and no one else. We too, in our relation with Christ know that only He is exalted and He alone, no human! Amen!
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