word4U2day

2026-09-22

Understanding Satan's role (2)

2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

When we're being attacked by the enemy, it can drive us closer to God. That was true in Paul's life. Paul had an amazing experience when Jesus appeared to Him on the road to Damascus, he had heavenly visions, was an apostle chosen by God and an author of the Bible. He healed the sick, travelled the world, and wrote some of history's greatest documents. Not many people could rival his achievements. And maybe he knew it. But God loved Paul too much to allow pride to destroy him. 'To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.'

We aren't told the nature of the thorn, but we're told its purpose - to keep Paul humble. We're also told its origin - a messenger of Satan. We don't know what or who the messenger was, but we do know that the messenger was under God's control. Paul goes on to say: 'Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong' (vv. 8-10 NIV).

So when we're facing trials and tough situations, it's a chance for us to rely on God's strength, build our faith and get closer to God.

Links to Bible verses: Holy Bible

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