Demons and the believer

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

You know, many people don't realize that Paul dealt with a spirit that tried to oppress him.

2 Corinthians 12:1-13 English Standard Version (ESV)
1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 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.

This spirit tried to exploit Paul's human weaknesses with temptations, inspire insults from the opposition, orchestrate hardships of circumstance, inspire persecutions, and it even use its power to bring about natural calamities... all in the hopes of crushing Paul's resolve to preach the Gospel.

Paul prayed three times for this spirit to be removed. But God allowed it to remain because in all these things, it kept Paul humble and dependent upon the grace of Christ.

It wasn't a spirit, it was exactly what Paul said it was, a messenger of Satan.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15.

Also when we look for the Biblical terminology for thorns in their sides was the inhabitants of the land against Israel. Had zero to do with hobgoblins, ghouls, or imps. Or sickness, or Paul needing a pair of bifocals. It had to do with another minister who was a Judaizer leading Paul's Asia Minor churches astray.

Numbers 33:55

But 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, and SHALL VEX YOU in the land wherein ye dwell.

Judges 2:3

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and their gods shall be A SNARE unto you.


Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be SNARES and TRAPS unto you, and SCOURGES IN YOUR SIDES, and THORNS IN YOUR EYES, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

But Paul would be like the chosen few, the remnant, who wouldn't be snared by his opposition. But through the grace of Jesus Christ he would overcome and endure. He would take possession of the Good Land the Body of Christ, the True Israel of God. Not allowing the thorn to overcome him. Much learning doth make thee mad! Acts 26:24. The devil knew how to get at Paul, because Paul knew he was smarter then his peers Galatians 2:6-10. In Galatians it doesn't look as if Paul was too impressed by the Jerusalem eldership. So, God needs to bring people around us (sometimes none too friendly) to take us down a few notches. Thorns are good, Romans 8:27-29.