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After God gave Paul a taste of paradise (vv. 1-4), he also gave him a thorn in his flesh to protect him from pride and remind him of his weakness (vv. 7-10). Paradoxically, God's power was on display more in Paul's weakness than in Paul's taste of heaven (vv. 9-10). In our pursuit of bodily health, we can experience a similar purifying humility as we struggle against the natural weakness of our physical bodies, and are reminded of our dependence on God's grace.

Key Study Passage:

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

1. What's the thorn in your flesh? (This could be physical, emotional, spiritual, or a combination of all of them.)
2. What is God teaching you through your struggle against this thorn?
3. What steps can you take to be a better steward of your physical health?
4. The pursuit of physical health is a common idol in our society. How will you keep your focus on honoring God and not on vanity and pride as you pursue health and wholeness?

Spend Time in Prayer: Thank God for the unique body he has given you; ask him to help you steward it well and seek to better honor him in all that you do.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Paul's Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh

12 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don't know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Creator, help me to honor you in the way I take care of my body as an act of worship to you.

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