When Grace Comes Disguised as a Thorn

No doubt we have all read about the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh. While Paul does not tell us explicitly what the thorn was, there are some things we know about it. We know that it was a gift. He tells us a thorn was given me in the flesh. A messenger of Satan applied the thorn, but the thorn was a gift from Christ. We know this because the thorn was given to him to keep him from being conceited. Satan would have rejoiced to see Paul overcome by conceit.  How it must have galled Satan to be used by God as an instrument in Paul’s sanctification! We do not normally think of demons being used to prevent humans from sinning, but Paul is pretty explicit here “a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”

False apostles in the church at Corinth tried to build up their credentials by falsely reporting spiritual experiences and ecstasies. At the same time, they tried to discredit Paul because Paul had not shared any such experiences. In fact, Paul appeared very weak in person. But Paul did have an experience—a revelation that surpassed anything that the false apostles could even imagine. He had gone to the highest level of heaven and seen things no man had ever seen. We can only imagine the temptation to put these false apostles in their place. They were destroying Paul’s reputation, his ministry, and his message. The church listened to them and refused to commend Paul. From a human standpoint, all Paul had to do was tell about his own revelations and reveal what he was commanded not to reveal and the problem would be solved. He could vindicate himself and put the false apostles in their place by doing this one thing. He could save his ministry. No doubt Satan keeps whispering this in the Apostle’s ear: “You are God’s special boy. Go ahead and tell. It will save your reputation and your ministry. God won’t punish you.”

The thorn stops Paul from considering this temptation. It is a constant reminder that he does not need to brag about his experiences to build up his ministry.  God and God alone builds the ministry. We know Paul's thorn was both painful and humiliating. We also know this: The false apostles were given no such thorn. Their pride and arrogance would be their undoing. God was letting them go their own way. 

We often think of grace as the beautiful, fragrant, feel-good part of the Christian walk--like a rose. But grace can come disguised as a thorn. We may have problems that are painful or humiliating, problems that seem to never end. We may even convince ourselves that it is the devil himself tormenting us. But every pain and every humiliation comes from the hand of a Redeemer who is far more concerned about our holiness than our happiness. In the end, it is all grace—even the thorns.