Temptations that Feel like Thorns

In the informal survey we conducted for The Point of Your Thorns, several people answered the question, “What is your thorn in the flesh?” instantly, with “the sin of lust.” It was the absence of a pause in every answer, that intrigued me.

Might this be what the Apostle Paul was referring to in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10? Philip Hughes comments: “The Vulgate rendering (or rather misreading) ‘spur or goad of the flesh (stimulus carnis)’ may have given rise to the opinion that Paul was afflicted with impure temptations of the flesh—an opinion which prevailed in the medieval period …”

So, is Paul referring to temptation or sin such as lust when he talked about his thorn? On the surface, it seems possible. Undoubtedly, a sin such as lustful thoughts can become very deep-seated. Some call these addictions. They certainly remind us how weak we are. If this thorn is designed to highlight our weaknesses and help us access God’s grace, then maybe it qualifies as a possible thorn in Paul’s flesh.

Look more closely. Paul says, … to keep me from becoming conceited. Is it plausible that God would give one sin to overcome another? That doesn’t fit with James 1:13 which states that when we are tempted, we cannot blame God.

The sin of lust is a highly improbable answer to what this thorn in the flesh was in Paul’s life. It was, however, such a strong response to the survey question. It’s not a thorn in your flesh but still needs to be dealt with in the way Jesus repulsed Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). Use Scripture as a sword to parry lustful thoughts.

Romans 8:13 points the way: If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if you, by the Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live. It’s a call to act decisively—to crucify sinful thoughts and actions—by depending on the Holy Spirit, and to live victoriously.

• Write out or verbalize your response to these temptations that feel like painful thorns.

Excerpts from The Point of Your Thorns: Finding Purpose in Your Pain

by Rowland Forman