Touch of God Ministries: Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

Many believers believe Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh is not sickness and disease.

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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:7- 9.

There is no backing in scripture that Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh was due to sickness. Infirmities here “I take pleasure in infirmities,” in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak², then I am strong. What “infirmity of the flesh” did Paul preach the gospel through? Not sickness, he preached through the consequences of “reproaches”, “persecutions”, and “distresses for Christ’s sake:” (v10), and that is what his “thorn” was, people, who were inspired by “the
messenger of Satan”, persecuting and reproaching him.

Lets look at the Old Testament since the Old Testament and New Testament have harmony with each other.

In Numbers 33:55, the Israelites warned, If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and THORNS IN YOUR SIDES.

This warning is repeated in Joshua 23:13 and in Judges 2:3. Thus the thorn refers, not to something within the body, but to annoyances from without, caused by people. Paul speaks of his particular thorn as being the messenger of Satan to buffet me.

The word buffet means to strike as with the hand; to contend with.

His reference to buffeting would refer more easily to the beatings, stoning, and the like which he received after he preached the Gospel from city to city, than to any possible sickness in his own body.

This misconception within the body of christ only hinder or destroy the faith of God’s people creating doubt and unbelief in God’s Word for healing.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Heb. 10:22,23.

Sickness many times is a chastening or punishment from God because of our habitual sin (either personal or generational), but, through Jesus Christ, we can still claim healing by repenting and restoring our fellowship with God. But to say God will never punish without letting us know what it is for and will not continue to punish when we have learned our lesson.

What kind of God, who loved us so much and sent his son to die for us, would do such a thing!

Conclusion:

What misconception do you believe that you’ve learned from man and have not explored the scriptures for yourself.

When you look at Mark 16:14-20, it is the great commission for all to follow:

¹⁴Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had
seen him after he was risen.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ¹⁹So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Deliverance Healing Prayer:

Father God, forgive me for believing the misconception of Paul’s thorn as sickness and disease. I repent and renounce that lie, for doubt and unbelief and I command these spirits to go so that my faith can grow. Father God, help me to believe your word and believe your truth about healing today by reading your word. Amen

by Traci Morin, Touch of God Ministry of Healing and Deliverance

Servant and Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Setting Captives Free from Disease and Spiritual Demonic Forces”

Touch of God Ministries does mission work in other countries especially ministering salvation, ministering to survivors of Human Trafficking globally as well as in the United States. Please help support me in this endeavor by giving generously through donations.