2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, November 11, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 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.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

As Paul begins chapter 12 of this letter to the first-century church at Corinth, he talks more about his personal experience with being an apostle of Jesus Christ. Before this, in 2 Corinthians 11:30 he wrote, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” He continues that theme of boasting here, emphasizing that he will only boast about his own weaknesses and how those will display God’s power.

Paul begins in verse 1 with a seemingly reluctant statement about boasting. Previously, he defended his ministry by reluctantly comparing his sufferings and challenges with those of the so-called “super-apostles” in Corinth. Here, Paul explains that his boasting is not about himself but rather about the extraordinary revelations he received from God. The hesitance in his tone—“there is nothing to be gained”—indicates his discomfort in boasting but also a necessity to clarify the nature of his ministry and relationship with God.

In verse 2, Paul uses a rhetorical device, referring to himself in the third person as “a man in Christ.” The evidence points to this being Paul’s own experience, rather than one relayed to him by someone else. Fourteen years prior, Paul experienced an encounter so extraordinary that he’s unsure if it was physical or purely spiritual. The “third heaven” in Jewish cosmology represents the dwelling place of God, beyond the earthly sky and celestial realms. Paul’s admission of uncertainty about the nature of this experience highlights the mystery and reverence surrounding divine encounters, which can sometimes be beyond our comprehension.

In verses 3-4, Paul reiterates his earlier uncertainty, emphasizing that only God understands the full nature of his experience. This repetition underscores his humility; he’s not claiming special knowledge or power due to his vision. Paul shows that even the most profound revelations don’t necessarily bring clarity but may deepen our awe and dependence on God. He reveals that he was transported to “paradise”—a term often synonymous with heaven or the afterlife in early Christian and Jewish thought. Here, Paul encountered “inexpressible things,” secrets that he is “not permitted to tell.” This phrase shows that Paul’s revelation was deeply personal and sacred, meant for his understanding rather than public proclamation. It’s a reminder that some spiritual experiences are intended to strengthen our private relationship with God, not for display or status.

Paul draws a line between himself as a mere vessel of God’s revelation and the extraordinary experience he had in verse 5. While he can boast about this encounter, he chooses only to “boast” in his weaknesses. This counter-cultural approach to boasting is one of Paul’s hallmarks. Instead of flaunting his visions, he elevates his vulnerabilities. He shifts the focus from his spiritual achievements to his need for God’s grace.

Paul acknowledges in verse 6 that if he wanted to boast about his experience, it wouldn’t be irrational since he’d be telling the truth. However, he refrains to prevent anyone from elevating him above others. Paul’s humility here serves as a model, reminding us that spiritual gifts and experiences are not for personal elevation but are given by God to fulfill His purposes. Paul’s desire is that people see him as he truly is—a servant of God, not a spiritual celebrity.

In verse 7, Paul introduces the concept of a “thorn in the flesh,” a phrase that has intrigued theologians and readers for centuries. No one has conclusively determined what this “thorn” is, other than that it is something painful and persistent. It was possibly a physical ailment, psychological burden, or even a spiritual struggle. Paul sees it as a “messenger of Satan,” a source of suffering allowed by God to keep him humble. This painful reminder prevents him from boasting about his revelations, teaching him dependence on God instead of his own strength.

Paul’s response to his suffering is prayer (verse 8). Three times he asks God to remove this thorn, mirroring Jesus’ own three pleas in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite his persistence, God’s answer is not to remove the suffering but to redefine its purpose. Paul’s unanswered prayer resonates with anyone who has experienced suffering and prayed for relief. God’s response isn’t always to take away our struggles but to help us see them through a new lens.

In one of the most powerful verses in the New Testament, God answers Paul’s prayer with a profound statement in verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Rather than removing Paul’s affliction, God provides grace, the strength to endure it. God’s power “made perfect in weakness” reveals a paradox: human limitations become the avenue for divine strength. This shift in perspective transforms Paul’s view of his own struggles, allowing him to embrace his weaknesses, for in them, God’s strength is most evident.

Paul concludes in verse 10 with a remarkable statement: he “delights” in his weaknesses and hardships. This isn’t because he enjoys suffering but because he has discovered that through these trials, he encounters the strength of Christ. When he is at his lowest, most vulnerable point, God’s power is most evident in him. This verse encapsulates a radical way of viewing life’s challenges, where weaknesses are not merely to be endured but are opportunities for Christ to reveal His strength within us.

Paul’s experience reminds us that suffering, while painful, is not without purpose. God’s grace doesn’t always eliminate our struggles, but it gives us the strength to persevere through them. In our weaknesses, God’s strength is revealed, and we learn to lean on Him in ways we might never have if life were easy.

As we face our own “thorns in the flesh” – whether physical challenges, emotional struggles, or spiritual battles – let’s remember that God’s grace is sufficient. His power is perfected in our weaknesses, and through them, we can find a deeper relationship with Him, grounded in trust, humility, and resilience. So, like Paul, let’s boast in our weaknesses, knowing that “when we are weak, then we are strong” through the unfailing power of Christ.

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The Enemy Fights Dirty

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Friday, November 8, 2024 0 comments


by Charlie Wolcott

One of the things I have learned about spiritual warfare and living in society is that the enemy plays dirty. The enemy of the soul plays a dirty game. Why? Not only because cheating helps him win, but he knows he cannot win a fair fight. His game is deception and subtlety. He was a liar from the beginning, and it is pure naivety to think he is going to play by the rules. He plays dirty, he cheats, he lies, he does not honor codes of ethics, and he has one agenda: to steal, to kill, and to destroy.

The enemy also is a brilliant strategist and plays the long game as well as the short one. He knows how to play generations as well as individuals in the moment. And there is one target he loves to get more than any other: children. As the lion goes after the weak, the slow, the old, and the young in the pack, not after the strong ones, so Satan goes after our weak ones. He targets the children, the wives, and the widows, and he uses the poor and defenseless to get easy prey. Ever notice how when the government and the media go after taxing the rich, they don’t actually go after the rich? The rich are either party with them or strong enough to stand in their way.

As an educator, one of the things I see in the system is the purpose and intention to get children to believe what the “elite” want them to believe as early as possible. Evolution is a classic example. Instead of letting kids actually figure out the science from the start, the idea of millions of years and the theory of evolution are thrown at toddlers through Sesame Street, Dinosaur Train, Dr. Seuss, and everything else. The details aren’t given until later, but at that point, the idea of “millions of years” has been so driven into us that we have a difficult time separating the Deep Time story from the actual evidence.

The tactics used to teach evolution are the same tactics that were used by Hitler to reach the youth of Germany and the same tactics used by Castro to reach the youth of Cuba. The pastor’s wife of my previous church was raised in Cuba, and she remembers being a six-year-old girl when the Communist takeover took place. The new teachers asked the children to pray to God for a piece of candy, and obviously, no candy showed up. They then had the kids pray to Castro for a piece of candy, and of course, while eyes were closed, a piece of candy was put on each desk. I should not need to further explain what was going on there. Hitler was well known for similar tactics. When a man approached Hitler and said he’d never support him, Hitler simply retorted, “You will pass away. I already have your children.” And he did. The “Hitler Youth” was not a mere propaganda piece but a political tool to eliminate opposition.

Another part of the tactic is to blame the opposition for what you are doing. I see this one everywhere, and it’s primarily used on Christians. Pro-evolutionists make a point and purpose of saying that Christians are indoctrinating their kids and needing echo chambers when they think we aren’t letting them have a voice (by that, they mean dominate it all and never give an account for what they do). Yet, who are the ones who need echo chambers and practice indoctrination? Around 90% of students go to public schools where they only hear about evolution, and 90% of churches and denominations are not teaching the Biblical side of creation; they teach the evolutionary side. So, who is actually indoctrinating, and who needs the echo chambers? Creationists actually tend to know the evolutionary side better than the evolutionists themselves. And the evolutionists, especially the “ex-Christian” types, can hardly get a thing we say right. Don’t fall for that.

But evolution is just the “gateway drug.” Flowing out of it has come the real heinous junk we are seeing today. Evolution is what has opened the door for certain people to deny that God actually did create people as “male” or “female;” because we evolved, we can be whomever we want to be. The whole gender identity crisis is targeting these youth and starting with preschool books. Yes, there are preschool books out there to start teaching these tiny kids about sexuality and to prepare them for receiving and engaging in such activities. Parents who get word about this are rightly outraged, and school board meetings are being regularly hounded by parents who are livid that these are being allowed in the school libraries. The books for middle school and older get much worse with pictures and very detailed pornographic descriptions of sexual activity engaged by kids as young as 10 or 11. The “system” has gotten so many kids away from their parents for so long through schools, sports, and other activities, though there’s nothing wrong with these individually. Both teachers and counselors are speaking to kids outside of the influence of the parents, telling kids NOT to tell the parents. This is why we are seeing these issues. School board members have been caught on a hot mic saying they don’t listen to any of the parents’ complaints.

Pornography is one of the deadliest “drugs,” and Satan is so crafty that he will get a toddler who looks at another naked baby as a seed to start planting deeper and darker sexual thoughts. With smartphones today, the moment a kid gets access to the internet, it will be a very short time before he or she is exposed to pornography for the first time. Just one look can start it, whether through exploring a web page, a link by a peer, or on social media. I read one story of a 10-year-old boy who was found watching porn on his phone by his mom. The kid said it started with exploring the web, and soon, naked men came up, and one thing led to another, and the kid was grieved that he could not get the images he saw out of his head. It starts young, and we need to be alert and ready to guard our kids from the start. Have those discussions with them, even at younger ages, about good stuff and bad stuff so they can learn to recognize, “Hey, that is wrong.” No amount of sheltering them will prevent their exposure, but if we can train them to reject it when they are, it will save them from a whole lot of peril.

Again, the enemy fights dirty, and one of the key tactics in all this is the removal or neutralization of the “father” of the home. When the Industrial Revolution shifted jobs away from the home and the farm to factories and white-collar businesses, it also removed the father from the home to raise the kids. Since they no longer lived on the farms where there were always things to do, the kids got bored, needing centralized school, and mom began to work as well, requiring daycare for the kids. As a result, parents are no longer actually raising their kids; the programs are.

The schools do not speak to Dad very often when dealing with kids but instead, they speak to Mom. This reminds me of the Garden, where the serpent bypassed Adam and went to Eve. Unless Dad is very active, involved, and intentional about raising his kids, the only thing he will be in the home is the money maker (which is good, however, he won’t be the active father). And the kids, needing a father figure, will go to where they can find one, be he a coach, a teacher, or find that role in a woman or in a gang. This is no knock on kids who legitimately don’t have a dad. However, in every institution God sets up, Satan sets up a counterfeit to usurp or replace. Instead of a father, there is school. Instead of a church, there are gangs and peers of grade/age level segregation. Instead of a proper nuclear family, there is anything that whoever wants to fulfill whatever lusts they want. And instead of a father for authority, there is either the mother or all their activities. Again, there is nothing wrong with extra-curriculars, but parents, you are responsible for running the home, not the kid and their schedule.

Remember, all these tactics, and I’m just giving a brief snapshot here, are to get at you and get at your kids. Satan desires to either destroy them, neutralize them, or recruit them to fight for darkness. We’ve been so accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle that few of us realize what kind of battle is going on, and we’ve essentially raised a white flag and gone into hiding rather than rise up and confront this. That is what we have done for the past couple of generations; the net is set and ready to be sprung. The fight that we have refused to fight as a whole generation would have been nothing if we stood up when we had the chance, compared to the battle we are about to fight if we want to get out of it.

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2 Corinthians 11:21b-33

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, November 4, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
- 2 Corinthians 11:21b-33

In this section, Paul offers an autobiographical account that contrasts his personal suffering and challenges with the boasting of the so-called “super-apostles.” It’s a reflection of Paul’s apostolic authority, his willingness to endure trials for the sake of the Gospel, and his unwavering commitment to Christ.

Paul introduces the passage with a bit of sarcasm in the second half of verse 21, acknowledging that boasting is foolish but still engaging in it for the sake of contrast. Paul is not comfortable with boasting, as it contradicts his view of humility in Christ, but he feels compelled to do so to defend his ministry against false teachers.

Paul then establishes his Jewish credentials in verse 22, which were important in the context of the Judaizers (the Jewish Christians who insisted that non-Jewish believers follow Jewish law). By affirming his heritage, Paul shows he has the same roots and background as his opponents, yet his authority comes from Christ, not lineage. Paul’s emphasis here reminds us that while our identity may be important, our spiritual authority comes from our relationship with Christ, not from our cultural or ethnic background.

In verse 23, Paul begins to discuss his suffering, which far surpasses that of his opponents. The phrase “I am out of my mind” underlines his discomfort with boasting. Paul’s apostleship is not marked by power or status but by hardship and self-sacrifice for the sake of Christ. Paul’s testimony challenges the modern tendency to equate success with comfort and security. In Paul’s case, the more he worked for Christ, the more he suffered.

Then in verses 24-27, Paul outlines all of the specific ways he suffered for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He recalls the beatings he received at the hands of Jewish authorities, referencing the 39 lashes, which was a standard punishment (40 lashes were considered to be the maximum allowed by law, but one was subtracted to avoid breaking the law). The fact that Paul endured this five times demonstrates the extreme opposition he faced from his own people. The beatings with rods were a Roman punishment, and Paul’s stoning (Acts 14:19) nearly resulted in his death. His shipwrecks illustrate the peril of his missionary journeys, which were often fraught with danger. Spending "a night and a day in the open sea" suggests near-death experiences that many others might have taken as signs to stop. Yet, Paul pressed on.

Paul lists various dangers he faced as a traveling missionary. The breadth of this list shows that Paul was vulnerable from all sides—both Jews and Gentiles opposed him, and he was not safe in any location, whether urban or rural, land or sea. Even within the Christian community, he encountered opposition from false believers. Paul’s work ethic—laboring to the point of exhaustion and experiencing hunger, thirst, and exposure to the elements—shows for Paul, that ministry was not glamorous or easy but involved significant sacrifice.

In addition to the physical hardships he just outlined, in verse 28 Paul experienced intense emotional and spiritual concern for the churches he founded. The “daily pressure” suggests that Paul carried the weight of the spiritual well-being of many believers across different regions, a burden that added to his overall suffering. Paul’s concern for the churches shows that ministry is not just about physical endurance but also about the emotional and spiritual weight of caring for others.

Paul’s empathy is evident in verse 29. He identifies with the weaknesses and struggles of the believers, feeling their pain as if it were his own. The phrase “inwardly burn” could refer to Paul’s deep distress over sin within the community or his anger at seeing others be led astray. Paul did not just preach to people; he deeply cared for them and shared in their struggles.

In verse 30, Paul flips the human notion of boasting on its head, choosing to boast not about his strengths or accomplishments but about his weaknesses. This goes against worldly wisdom, which values strength and success, but Paul understands that his weakness points to Christ’s strength. He emphasizes this in verse 31 by invoking God’s witness to the truth of his words, reinforcing the seriousness of his claims. His life of suffering and sacrifice is not exaggerated, and he appeals to God as his ultimate judge and defender.

Paul concludes this section in verses 32-33 with a specific incident in which he narrowly escaped arrest in Damascus. Being lowered in a basket was not exactly a dignified escape for an apostle, yet Paul includes this as part of his story, further emphasizing his vulnerability and reliance on God for deliverance. This final story encapsulates Paul’s approach to ministry. He doesn’t shy away from telling of his undignified moments because, for him, they highlight God’s protection and provision.

Paul’s recounting of his sufferings in this passage is not just a boast about what he has endured but a testimony to the sufficiency of Christ. His experiences show that true apostolic authority is not marked by status, ease, or worldly success, but by suffering, sacrifice, and humility. Paul’s willingness to boast about his weakness challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we willing to embrace weakness and suffering for the sake of Christ, trusting that in our weakness, He is strong?

In a culture that often glorifies power, wealth, and success, Paul’s words call us back to a Gospel-centered perspective. It is in our struggles and vulnerabilities that Christ’s power is most evident. May we, like Paul, find our boasting not in our own achievements but in the One who sustains us through every trial.

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Diotrephes and Absalom

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Friday, November 1, 2024 0 comments


by Charlie Wolcott

One of the greatest problems in the church today is the embracing of the cultural practice of “tolerance.” We are not talking about the tolerance of “I disagree with you but will fight to allow you to have and say your opinion,” but a tolerance of “How dare you question me from doing what I do?” And the acceptance of every form of deviancy but completely intolerant of those who actually believe in morality and integrity. When it comes to spiritual warfare, this form of tolerance has allowed two types of people into the church: Diotrephes and Absalom. I am indebted to John MacArthur for pointing out Diotrephes to me, and I am indebted to Eric Ludy regarding Absalom. In both cases, the goal and intention of those who carry this spirit are to divide, conquer, control, and silence any voice that could expose them or rule in their place.

In 2 John, we learn of an “elect lady” who was a dear member of the church of Ephesus that John had been pastoring. This elect lady was known for hospitality and loving those in her church. However, word got to John about her unknowingly hosting a false teacher, and he warned her that there are people we are NOT to entertain or even give a welcome. Yes, the command is that severe. When someone brings in teachings that are contrary to the Gospel, we may have a friendship with them for the purpose of evangelism, but we are to give them no acceptance of any form other than being a lost soul on the way to Hell who needs to be saved. We especially are not to give them a platform through which they can give their teachings.

In this case, John did not identify the culprit, likely for the reason that the principle mattered more than the specific person. However, in 3 John, a letter to a man named Gaius, we do see a false teacher called out by name: Diotrephes. In calling Diotrephes by name, it is clear that Gaius and Diotrephes knew each other, or at least Gaius was very familiar with him. Diotrephes was a man who sought preeminence. He wanted positions of influence and power. He was very likely an elder or at least a deacon and had a big sway in the church. Diotrephes was called out for seeking to subvert the Gospel and prevent good people, including the Apostle John himself, from preaching there, lest they find out about him and expose him.

Absalom was King David’s son who had some serious problems. What brought them out was when his older brother Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar. David did nothing that we know of or in the timing that Absalom wanted, and so Absalom set up a party and assassinated Amnon. This made Absalom go into self-exile because he feared David’s retaliation. Then he used Job, David’s general, to get him to come back to the capital. While there, Absalom spent three years at the gates of the palace, interacting with the people and telling them that David could not deal with their problems, but he would if he were king instead. He used this to build up the trust of the people and then prepared for the coup to overthrow David, which nearly succeeded.

Both of these people are in the churches today. An illustration of a Diotrephes is given in Frank Peretti’s Piercing the Darkness. In the book, a church is under attack and the pastor, who is also a principal at a Christian school, is arrested on child abuse charges. During the battle, the church has a prayer chain (because back in the 1980s they didn’t have group chats), and one of the women early in the prayer chain would gossip, all in the name of prayer, and make accusations that kept putting the pastor in a bad light. We don’t get to find out who she is until later.

In the real world, I have seen and heard first-hand stories of dealing with Diotrephes. One of the clearest examples is what happened to a Young Earth evangelist whom I will not mention by name. He told me how he had been sharing what he was doing at his church, had a huge and successful event with people getting saved and so the pastor wanted to have a meeting with him to find out more. Both he and his wife were brought up to sit in a love seat and then for over an hour, the pastor and the elders grilled him over his creation stance. Every time he answered both scientifically and Scripturally, both the pastor and one of the lead elders glared at him with an evil hatred. THAT is Diotrephes. Needless to say, the evangelist left that church. But he has told me directly that the range of 90%+ of churches will not allow him to speak at their events, thus blocking life-saving truth from the youth who are departing at a rate of at least 90%, often over the topic of origins. There is a Diotrephes whom the church leadership knows if you cross that line, you cross that person. This person is often one of the biggest donors to the church and one whom with a word can pull away a large chunk of the congregation away too, even to the point of pulling an Absalom and throwing a coup to drive that pastor out if they dared speak the truth on that particular topic. Yes, they are in there. Diotrephes is the type of a tare that Jesus warned about.

While Diotrephes seeks to have the dominant say in what goes on in the church, Absalom seeks to actually be the ruling voice. Diotrephes may try to pull strings and hide in shadows at the time, but Absalom wants the title and the throne. Absalom shows up in an influential voice who intentionally steals the hearts of the people and seeks to tear down and overthrow the pastor. I have seen this, too. I have seen people who through teaching “studies” seek to undermine the authority and the integrity of the pastor and the leadership and seek to get people to follow them instead. They may seek to get votes from congregants to override the church leadership and eventually remove them and install themselves.

We have to be very careful about always looking “out there” for these people, because sometimes, this spirit can creep up in ourselves. Looking back, I can see times when I had moments where an Absalom spirit started to rise in me at my previous church because some of the things I was seeing did not agree with where I was as a believer in my faith, and some of it was more serious than others. I had to watch myself because I would realize that if I went down that route, it would cause a church fight. Church fights are ugly, and behind them is a Diotrephes or an Absalom.

That spirit can show up with any of us, including those who are active defenders of the faith. This is one of the reasons why Scripture says we must respect those in leadership, especially when we are not. Their job is NOT easy and yes, chances are you have some ideas that could make things run better, but if you are not in charge, you need to honor and respect the authorities who might know more than you do. There is a time for addressing error and there is a way to do that, but Diotrephes and Absalom are not the way to do it. If you reach a point where you will not be able to reconcile where your faith is going and where the church is, then it is better you move on somewhere else in a respectful manner.

What should we do if we see such spirits? Do we uproot them? Jesus said we will always have tares among the wheat until Judgment Day, but at the same time, both Paul and John removed sinful people lest they affect the whole congregation. It’s a case-by-case situation, but in all cases, the Matthew 18 method of discipline should be the primary guideline. Sometimes, church leadership needs to go straight to ex-communication depending on the severity of the crimes, but sometimes you can also nip the Diotrephes and Absalom spirits in the bud and prevent them from blossoming, and hopefully restore such a person quickly. But we must be on guard because it does not matter what church you go to, the enemy is always going to seek to get one of these two spirits in your church. If you are not careful, it might be you. Don’t go looking around for them, but I write this so when you see it, you can recognize it. We must always be on guard.

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2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, October 28, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
- 2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

In this section of his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul defends himself against accusations and comparisons made by those undermining his authority. He shared previously about boasting only in Christ, so his boasting here is ironic, only “boasting” because he must use that technique to make his point.

Paul opens this section in verse 16 by repeating his earlier statement from 2 Corinthians 11:1. He does not want to be taken as a fool, but he realizes that some in Corinth already view him as one due to the accusations from the "super-apostles" (11:5). These so-called apostles have been presenting themselves as superior to Paul, undermining his work and authority. Paul, knowing that boasting is not the behavior of a true follower of Christ, decides to engage in it reluctantly to demonstrate the absurdity of the situation.

The phrase “if you do, then tolerate me” is filled with irony. Paul is playing along with their perspective, knowing full well that such boasting is foolish. This sets up the sarcasm he will employ in the following verses.

In verse 17, Paul distances his upcoming words from the teachings of Jesus. He makes it clear that the boasting he is about to engage in is not from divine guidance but rather from his human frustration. He is breaking away from his usual Christ-centered teachings to show the Corinthians the absurdity of comparing him to the false apostles based on worldly achievements or self-promotion. Paul’s statement shows his discomfort with the approach he’s taking. He knows that it goes against the values of humility and servanthood that Christ exemplified, yet he feels compelled to engage in this foolish boasting to make his point.

Paul contrasts the behavior of the false apostles with his own in verse 18. These men were boasting of their own accomplishments, credentials, and experiences in a worldly way. They were appealing to the Corinthians by promoting themselves, likely using their rhetorical skills, physical appearance, or Jewish heritage to make themselves seem more impressive.

Paul, seeing that this is what the Corinthians seem to respect, decides to engage in similar behavior—but with a twist. His boasting will not be the kind that the world esteems. Instead, Paul’s “boasting” will reveal his weaknesses, sufferings, and hardships for the sake of the gospel. This verse highlights an important lesson: the world tends to value the wrong things—strength, status, and self-promotion—while the gospel turns these values upside down. Paul’s upcoming boast will serve to critique these worldly values.

Paul’s irony becomes sharper in verse 19. The Corinthians have allowed themselves to be influenced by these false apostles, and Paul sarcastically congratulates them on their wisdom. This “wisdom” is, of course, foolishness, as they have allowed themselves to be deceived by outward appearances and worldly boasting rather than focusing on the gospel message.

This line is a rebuke disguised in sarcasm. The Corinthians, in their so-called wisdom, have made themselves vulnerable to being led astray by people who lack true spiritual insight. Paul calls this out in a way that both highlights their error and sets the stage for his own countercultural boasting.

Paul goes on to describe the abusive behavior of the false apostles in verse 20. The language he uses—enslaving, exploiting, taking advantage, putting on airs, slapping—conveys the level of oppression and mistreatment these supposed leaders were inflicting on the Corinthian believers. Paul is incredulous that the Corinthians have not only tolerated this but have seemingly accepted it.

The term "slaps you in the face" is likely metaphorical, referring to public humiliation or mistreatment. These false apostles had exerted control over the Corinthians, manipulating them emotionally, spiritually, and perhaps even financially. This verse offers a profound warning: not all who claim spiritual authority have the right to lead. Even today, we must be vigilant against leaders who exploit or manipulate rather than serve and care for their communities.

Paul’s sarcasm reaches its peak in this final line, the first half of verse 21. He admits, ironically, that he was "too weak" to exploit or mistreat the Corinthians in the same way the false apostles had. Of course, this is not a true confession of weakness but a critique of the Corinthian values. Paul is not weak in the gospel; rather, his strength comes from his humility, service, and dedication to the truth of Christ.

This is a powerful conclusion to Paul’s ironic boasting. In admitting he was "too weak," Paul highlights the absurdity of valuing those who boast of worldly strength, control, and dominance. His real strength lies in his willingness to suffer and serve, as he will explain in the following verses.

Paul’s use of irony in this passage serves to expose the foolishness of the Corinthians in following the false apostles. We, too, can be tempted to value things that the world considers wise—success, influence, power—over the true wisdom found in humility and service to Christ. True Christian leadership is not about power, control, or self-promotion. It’s about serving others, often at great personal cost. The approach that Paul takes to boasting speaks to the heart of the gospel message: it’s not about what we can achieve, but about what God does in and through us, often in spite of our weaknesses.

Paul’s message is clear: true leadership comes from humility, service, and suffering for the sake of the gospel, not from self-promotion or exploitation. As followers of Christ, we are called to reject the values of the world and embrace the wisdom of the cross, boasting not in our own strength but in our weaknesses, where God’s power is made perfect.

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Preparing for Battle

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Friday, October 25, 2024 0 comments


by Charlie Wolcott

When this blog post is published, I will be out of town at a church retreat that has a theme of spiritual warfare. My pastor is planning on having me do a session during the retreat in which I will use my fencing equipment to showcase the Armor of God. Then with a sparring partner, I’ll demonstrate several of the moves and tactics that we use in the sport as a visual aid to help us see the spiritual battles that we engage in. With that in mind, I want to do a short series on spiritual warfare again. It won’t be a big one, but I’m drawn to this topic for my blog posts at this time.

We need to be prepared for battle, and there are only a few of us who are awake and aware of the battle that is going on. I know I have spoken about spiritual warfare a number of times, however, too often I still treat it in the theoretical and do not fully engage in it practically as often as I want. I’ve tasted battle, I’ve fought, I’ve won, and I’ve lost. But what I want to focus on in this series are some of the tactics that have been used against us.

For today’s post, I want to look at one of the fallouts of modern evangelistic methods. Historically, when missionaries were sent out, they were people who were armed, equipped, prepared, and ready to go, and often they went out with those who had been there before. However, back home the veterans remained, who knew the battles and were actively training the newbies and regulars. Today, usually the ones who are most willing are those sent, regardless of preparation (and a reason why so many return home to quit after just a few years), but also they seem to be the best ones we have. Today, there is such mediocrity in the church that when anyone rises out of the “normal,” they are summoned to go, serve, preach, and be a missionary with that “title” so the average church member can still be mediocre. This is an issue Voddie Baucham emphasizes. When I did a study through 1 Timothy and came across the requirements for a church elder/bishop, I realized that Paul was actually teaching that everyone should be aspiring to such qualifications. That is not happening today.

So here is the tactic I want to expose. When we keep sending out our best young men to go be youth pastors, missionaries, preachers, worship leaders, etc. just because they are starting to take their faith more seriously than the average congregant, they are being sent out elsewhere for training (nothing wrong with that by itself), but it is leaving the church defenseless. Those who are left are the mediocre ones, and church leadership has to feed them milk instead of meat.

What does this mean? It opens the door for the enemy to go after the mediocre to keep their level down. When the church is not being protected, because their best soldiers and men are out “preaching the Gospel,” eventually the church will get weaker. The quality of the best soldier gets weaker and weaker.

Now don’t read what I am not saying. I am not saying that we should send out only newbies. What I am saying is that in our zeal of going out and preaching the Gospel, we need to be building our home base to be stronger so we can build up more saints to go out into the battle and to train them for battle. We still need to be outward-focused, but we need to launch from a position of strength with the whole body focused on the mission, not just a few individuals. Instead, we are sending our soldiers to do the battle “out there” and not actually training the core to be there to protect the sheep, to be in position to take in those rescued from the darkness, so they can heal and then be trained and ready to go out and engage in the battle themselves.

I believe there need to be three primary positions in evangelism: those who go into the pit, those who hold the rope for those going in, and those who take care of and equip and train those who come out of the pit. All three positions are focused on the same mission. But with that, we need our fortresses, the bastions of truth, the pillars of truth that Paul told Timothy we are to be, to be strong, so we have a place to retreat to and rest and recharge, but also a place by which we can build our strength and go out and fight. But instead of being a stronghold anymore, the church has chosen to send its best fighters “out there” almost on their own, while the rest sit back and enjoy a life of comfort and ease. As a result, our good spiritual military leaders eventually get replaced by weak leaders who will not be a threat to the forces of darkness and then all that matters is comfort status quo, and any young voice that says that there must be more is shunned.

I helped get a local “Creation Network” going here in El Paso, with the goal and vision of getting church pastors and leaders connected to arm and equip their congregations on the topic of origins, which has been a front-line battlefield for 200 years. One thing we have noticed is that many pastors will think we are doing a good thing, but they don’t want to get in the fray themselves. They will say “Good luck” and “I’ll be praying for you,” but as long as we are doing the work, they can rest comfortably away from that battlefront. This is what I am talking about here. We are called to contend for the faith, and that includes every believer, but that involves actually getting out into the field and getting your hands dirty.

We are in a war, a war in which our enemy wants one thing: our destruction. He’ll settle with our surrender, but he wants every believer to be removed or neutralized so they are useless on the battlefield. And he’ll gladly allow some losses by individual missionaries if it comes at the cost of leaving the church home undefended. We need strong churches again, and that starts by keeping some of our best men around to guard the walls of the church from the wolves that seek to devour and from enemy plants. There are two particular types of persons that we must be watchful for, identified in 3 John as Diotrephes and in 2 Samuel as Absalom, whom I will address next week. But we need our best men in the church, arming and equipping the saints, but also ready to lead by example and go out to battle as well. One general told another officer, “Never give a soldier a command you are unwilling to do yourself.”

War is upon us. Newsflash: our kids are the primary targets this time around. I’ll deal with Diotrephes and Absalom next week, but then I’ll hit how the enemy fights and he fights dirty.

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2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, October 21, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

In this chapter, the Apostle Paul is deeply concerned with defending his apostleship and the gospel message from false teachers who are misleading the Corinthian church. These teachers are undermining Paul’s authority, and Paul takes a firm stand – not to promote himself but to safeguard the gospel and prevent the church from falling into error. In this section, he rebukes these false apostles and offers wisdom about the dangers of deception in spiritual matters.

In verse 12, Paul begins by declaring his commitment to continue what he’s doing. Paul is defending his ministry without resorting to the tactics used by his opponents, such as demanding money or boasting in credentials. Just before this in verses 7-9, Paul expressed a commitment to preaching the gospel free of charge to avoid being accused of preaching for profit. He knows his critics are trying to use financial motives to undermine him.

By staying on this course, Paul intends to remove any basis for the false apostles to claim they are on equal footing with him. These false teachers boast about their supposed spiritual accomplishments and attempt to elevate their status to the level of Paul and the other true apostles. Paul understands that by maintaining integrity, he will "cut the ground from under" their false claims.

Paul's example teaches us the importance of integrity in ministry and life. He doesn’t retaliate against the false apostles by attacking them personally or stooping to their level. Instead, he focuses on maintaining his authenticity, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate him. In our context, whether in church leadership or personal faith, we can learn from Paul’s example by focusing on our character and trust in God to deal with critics.

Paul bluntly calls out the opponents for what they truly are: false apostles and deceitful workers (verse 13). These are strong words, but Paul doesn’t shy away from naming the problem. He warns the Corinthians that these individuals are not who they claim to be. The false apostles had infiltrated the church, presenting themselves as leaders, but their motivations were deceptive. To masquerade as an apostle of Christ means they were putting on a false appearance of godliness and authority. While they might have looked like spiritual leaders on the outside, inwardly, they were driven by selfish ambitions and deceit.

One of the timeless dangers Paul highlights here is the presence of false teachers within the church. This warning reminds us that not everyone who claims to speak for God truly does. In today’s world with social media and instant communication, it’s easier than ever for individuals to present themselves as spiritual authorities. We must be discerning, comparing what people teach with the truth of Scripture, just as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. It’s important for believers to remain vigilant, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and staying grounded in God’s Word to discern the difference between true and false teachers.

In verse 14, Paul goes on to explain why it’s no surprise that these false apostles are so deceptive—they are following the pattern of Satan himself. Paul describes Satan’s tactic of disguising himself as an “angel of light.” This is one of the most profound insights into the nature of spiritual deception in the Bible. Satan, the ultimate deceiver, doesn’t always appear as a force of obvious evil. Rather, he often presents himself as something good, noble, or even divine. By appearing as an angel of light, he tricks people into believing that his lies are truth. Paul wants the Corinthian church to realize that these false apostles are not simply mistaken; they are following Satan’s strategy of deception.

This verse highlights a crucial principle for us: spiritual deception often comes in the form of something that seems good. Satan rarely presents sin in its raw form; instead, he cloaks it in beauty or righteousness to make it appealing. This is why discernment is so essential for Christians. When we encounter new teachings, ministries, or philosophies, we need to ask: Does this align with the character of Christ? Does it conform to the Word of God? The fact that something looks like “light” doesn’t mean it’s from God, and we should be careful to test everything against Scripture.

Paul draws a logical conclusion to this in verse 15. If Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, it’s no surprise that his servants also disguise themselves as “servants of righteousness.” These false apostles claim to be righteous leaders, but in reality, they are following Satan’s example of deception. Paul ends with a sobering truth: “Their end will be what their actions deserve.” Despite their outward appearance, these false teachers cannot escape God’s judgment. Eventually, they will be exposed for who they really are, and they will face the consequences of their actions. This is both a warning to the false apostles and a reassurance to the church that God is just.

This underscores the seriousness of false teaching and the responsibility that comes with spiritual leadership. God will ultimately hold everyone accountable for their actions, especially those who lead others astray. The phrase “their end will be what their actions deserve” serves as a reminder that, while deception may go unnoticed for a time, God sees everything, and His judgment is just. For us, this is a reminder of the importance of pursuing genuine righteousness, not just the appearance of it. We need to be authentic in our walk with Christ, not just “masquerading” as servants of righteousness. Our faith must be real, inwardly and outwardly.

We are called to live our lives with integrity so the critics have nothing to attack us with. We must remain vigilant against false teaching, recognizing Satan’s strategies to deceive us. Be committed to growing in discernment, grounding your entire life in God’s Word, and standing firm in the truth of the gospel message, just as Paul did.

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Naaman’s Complaint

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Friday, October 18, 2024 0 comments


by Charlie Wolcott

Misconceptions and false expectations can crush a man before he even sets out. Dreams of the lofty without the expense of the mundane have ruined many, and it nearly killed a Syrian general named Naaman. In 2 Kings 5, the Bible pauses from its history of the kings to focus on the ministry of Elisha, including this account of a Syrian named Naaman, a general who caught leprosy. One of Naaman’s slaves, a girl kidnapped from Israel, knew of the prophet Elisha who could heal him, and so Naaman, in his worldly thinking, was going to meet this prophet with all sorts of pomp and posture to offer great wealth to the simple prophet.

But the prophet did not care about money, power, or prestige. With simple compassion, Elisha told Naaman to simply wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be cleaned. Naaman was aghast. The Jordan? That dirty, brown river? What was he expecting? For Elisha to pull a Jesus and simply say “be clean” with a wave of his hand. Naaman had expectations for how he would be healed. Note that he absolutely believed he would be healed; that was not a question with him. Doubt was not the issue. He believed just as the centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant. But Naaman had expectations about how it would go, and he was about to give up on the whole thing. Wash in the Jordan? How could this prophet make me sink so low?

But Naaman’s servant reminded him that if Elisha had asked for a great and wonderful deed, he would have gladly done it. So why not this simple mundane thing? Naaman realized his foolishness and finally obeyed. When he was fully cleaned, he rushed back to Elisha and vowed he would worship only the God of Israel, even when forced to bow before the idols of his king.

Naaman’s expectations nearly cost him his miracle. Expectations that are purely imaginary have destroyed many. Countless students prepare for college for that dream job, and while there are a few that make it and are good at it, many find out the hardships and the mundane aspects of the job and they quit. I can testify to that. I went to college thinking of civil engineering and using my math skills to be good at it. Then I learned what tedious work it involved, and I didn’t want to do that, and I honestly wasn’t ready to do it either. Had I retaken the courses I took with my experience as an AP Physics teacher, I would have thrived because I finally understood what I was doing rather than just being a human calculator. Again, what happened was poor expectations.

One of the common arguments skeptics have about God is how God did not answer their prayers when they were kids. The professor from the movie God’s Not Dead uses the excuse of unanswered prayer for the healing of his sick mother as his reason for hating God. This is a legitimate case with an illegitimate response, and it also downplayed the nature of sinful rebellion against God. God never promised such things, and what makes blaming God on such matters so wrong is blaming Him for something He is not responsible for. God does not have to act on things we ask of Him. He only is responsible for what He said He would do, and very often, we put our own expectations and our own desires on God as though He said He would do them. We need to be watchful for that because that is precisely how we confuse our own voices for God’s.

Naaman was not the only one who had problems with expectations. The Pharisees were even more known for that. The Pharisees thought the Messiah would be a great general that would overthrow Rome. Why did they think that? No passage in Scripture ever suggested the Messiah would be a military leader. They thought that because every deliverer they had in the past was a military leader. However, Jesus was not one such leader. His enemy to conquer was not Rome; it was sin itself. And it was necessary for Rome to rule Jerusalem because it was the Pax Romana that enabled the Gospel to spread so quickly through Europe. But the Jews missed Jesus as the Messiah because He didn’t meet their expectations; they had those expectations because they presumed upon God instead of listening to and believing God.

How many times do we miss God because of our expectations? Naaman nearly missed it. The Pharisees completely missed it. And we tend to miss it time and time again. It is fine to have dreams. It is fine to have visions. But if we are going to follow God, none of our dreams or visions are big enough for Him. We think too small. The Jews wanted deliverance from Rome. They may have gotten it for a season, but enemies kept coming back. Instead, Jesus conquered sin which was the root cause of the occupation, both sin on Israel’s part and sin on Rome’s part, but all in accordance with God’s plan.

We need to listen to God’s plan, and He is only going to tell us the step we need to take at the moment and only sometimes the big grand picture. I can testify to that. Ever since I was 15 or so, I have lived knowing the general plan/direction that God wanted me to go and the current step I am on in that journey. At first, it was being on the mission field where I got trained and began thinking about missions. Then came my schooling to give me the education I needed and the time with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship to be with them long enough to get the vision in a more concrete form, which became teachings and coaching. And today, I am a teacher and a fencing coach, and I absolutely love it. Why? Not because I am doing what I, Charlie Wolcott, wanted to do. I am doing what God positioned me to do, and there is no greater joy in life on this earth than being in the center of God’s will for you.

Don’t set your expectations too high, nor set them too low. Naaman heard he could be healed through Elisha the prophet and he believed it. His only error was dreaming about how it would be done. We believe Jesus died for our sins and is delivering us from those sins, but how is that actually playing out? That’s part of the journey. That journey may take us through great levels of suffering, and it will take us through spectacular mountain peaks. In all cases, let us trust in the Lord and let Him deal with the details. We’ll never be disappointed if we simply walk as the Lord has us walk.

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2 Corinthians 11:5-11

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, October 14, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
- 2 Corinthians 11:5-11

A few verses before this in verse 1, the apostle Paul wrote, “I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!” Paul’s foolishness was the fact that he had just previously written about boasting in nothing but Jesus, but then he proceeded to boast about the Corinthians and his work with them. He continues that boasting in this passage, though he is only employing this technique to make his point clear to the Corinthians. It is only out of love for them and his desire to spread the gospel that Paul boasts about himself in this way.

In verse 5, Paul addresses a group of individuals in the Corinthian church who were boasting about their status, authority, and eloquence, calling them "super-apostles." These false teachers likely presented themselves as more important or superior to Paul because they had polished rhetoric or perhaps even charged money for their services, which gave them an air of prestige. Paul, however, refuses to accept their claim to superiority. His argument here isn’t based on his abilities or accomplishments but on the authenticity of his calling and his deep, sacrificial love for the Corinthians. This speaks to a common theme in Paul's letters: true apostleship is about service, not status.

Paul openly admits in verse 6 that he may not have the rhetorical skills that the "super-apostles" possess, but he highlights what really matters: knowledge of the gospel. In Greco-Roman culture, public speaking was highly esteemed, and eloquent orators were given significant honor. The "super-apostles" likely used this to their advantage, deriding Paul as a weak or unskilled speaker. However, Paul doesn't allow this criticism to undermine his confidence in his ministry. He knows that the foundation of his authority lies not in his speaking style but in his deep understanding of the gospel and the truth of God's Word. The emphasis here is on content, not form. Paul’s knowledge of the gospel was not lacking; he communicated the truth to the Corinthians fully, plainly, and with transparency, including by living out the gospel.

In verse 7, Paul poses a rhetorical question to the Corinthians, pointing out that he never took money from them for preaching the gospel. This decision was a deliberate one on Paul's part, as he didn’t want anyone to think he was in ministry for financial gain. Unlike the "super-apostles" who likely demanded payment, Paul chose to lower himself by working as a tentmaker to support himself, thereby elevating the Corinthians spiritually. Paul implies that the Corinthians had somehow viewed his refusal to accept payment as a negative thing; it could have been seen as undermining one’s credibility. Yet Paul was countercultural, willingly forgoing financial support in order to ensure that the gospel remained free from any accusations of commercialism.

Paul uses hyperbole to make a point in verse 8. He didn’t literally "rob" other churches, but he received financial support from other congregations so that he could minister to the Corinthians without charging them. This was especially true of the church in Philippi, which supported Paul throughout his ministry (Philippians 4:15-16). Paul was willing to depend on the generosity of other churches so that the Corinthians could hear the gospel without cost. This reveals Paul's deep commitment to them and his desire to remove any potential stumbling block from their faith journey.

Paul continues to explain his decision not to accept financial support from the Corinthians in verse 9. He wanted to ensure that his ministry was never a burden to them. When Paul had financial needs during his time in Corinth, believers from Macedonia (likely from the Philippian church) provided for him. Paul’s attitude demonstrates his deep sensitivity toward the spiritual and practical needs of the Corinthians. He didn’t want anything—money, material needs, or expectations—to get in the way of the gospel message. His approach reflects a heart that prioritizes the spiritual welfare of others over personal comfort.

Paul’s statement in verse 10 underscores his confidence in the truth of his ministry. His "boasting" refers to the fact that he has preached the gospel free of charge and has conducted his ministry with integrity and sincerity. He is adamant that no one will stop him from making this claim. The regions of Achaia, where Corinth was located, had seen the effectiveness and authenticity of Paul’s ministry firsthand. Paul’s boldness is rooted in the truth of Christ within him. His assurance in his identity in Christ gave him the confidence to stand firm, despite opposition and false accusations from the "super-apostles."

In verse 11, Paul gets to the heart of the matter: his love for the Corinthians. Some may have questioned Paul’s motives, assuming that because he didn’t take payment from them, he didn’t truly care about them. Paul rejects this notion outright and appeals to God as his witness. Paul’s motivation for everything he did—his refusal to accept money, his hard work to support himself, and his deep concern for the Corinthian church—was rooted in love. His love for them was genuine, selfless, and unwavering, even when the Corinthians misunderstood his actions or were led astray by false teachers.

What does this passage teach us? True ministry is not about status, eloquence, or personal gain, but it is about serving others with humility and love. Paul’s life and ministry point us to Jesus, the ultimate example of selfless love and sacrifice. In a world that often values charisma and success, Paul’s words call us back to the heart of the gospel: love, service, and the truth of Christ.

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Genesis is Everywhere

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Friday, October 11, 2024 0 comments


by Charlie Wolcott

The more I learn and am involved in life, I see the book of Genesis everywhere, including in pagan cultural icons. It one thing I love about God: you can’t escape Him. Even though many of the images and pictures of Genesis that remain in culture are certainly corrupted, the mere idea of such things had to come from somewhere; that somewhere is the actual history that Genesis records. What things? Let’s explore.

The Chinese language itself embeds the account of Genesis directly into its language. Here are some examples: “boat” is built from "eight people in a vessel." “Covet” is built from “two trees” and “women.” “Create” is the combination of “speak, dust, life, walk, and mud.” Where would that idea come from? The only logical answer is the history from Genesis. No, the Chinese people did not read Genesis and get the idea from there. They actually got it passed down their lines that literally trace directly back to Japheth, one of the survivors of the Flood, whose descendants populated that part of the world.

Don Richardson was a missionary to the tribes of Ira Jaya and Papua New Guinea. In his books Peace Child and Eternity in Their Hearts, Richardson noted how in many of these tribes, there not only was a knowledge that a true God was out there, but that their origin stories had a lot of similarities to what Genesis says. The skeptics point to the Flood similarities between Gilgamesh and Noah as evidence that Genesis got its ideas from Babylon, but how did the other cultures all around the world get the same ideas? It wasn’t from local catastrophes because local catastrophes don’t do what these myths come close to doing. Even with exaggeration, it would never compare. The only logical conclusion is that all these tribes heard from their ancestors about the same events.

But it gets more interesting. I am a video game player. I won’t call myself a heavy gamer, but I still play. I recently noticed a variety of Genesis references in a number of the games. Tales of Symphonia was originally released for the Nintendo GameCube, and today it is released for the Switch. The story centers around the “Tree of Mana.” There is a series of games called the Mana series because they have titles like “Secret of Mana,” “Legend of Mana,” “Dawn of Mana,” and others. But this “mana” has a source: a tree. In all these games, this legendary tree is so big, strong, and mighty that is known to be the source of life. Mana itself in these games is symbolic of life and the building blocks of life. And it hit me where they got this idea from.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch) centers around the “World Tree” where the “Architect” dwells and where one can reach “Elysium.” I am not sure about the etymology but this “World Tree” or “Tree of Mana” has another name: Yggdrassil. The list goes on. All seem to have one thing in common: a reference to the Tree of Life from Genesis. It’s not the same thing, but the idea of a tree bearing the source of life and being primarily inaccessible through most of the game sure has some striking similarities.

These games do not pull from Christian themes very much. They purpose to not represent Christianity specifically, though some games do play on somewhat Catholic themes such as Tales of Symphonia where the world is run by the “Church of Martel” headed by a “Pope,” or Final Fantasy X where the world worships “Yu Yevon” with their own priests calls “maesters.” Some games like Xenoblade Chronicles have “gods” as the primary villains, but I notice that each of the gods that play villains never demonstrate to be like a true God, but a corrupt being that only has great power, but not limitless power.

There are movies and games that reference Noah and the Flood. The movie 2012 was a disaster flick about the end of the world as predicted by the Mayans (not really, that’s just when their calendar ran out of space), and to save life, the governments built “arks” from a “global flood” that wiped out everything except Africa. The game Astral Chain is about the last remnants of society living on an island called “the ark,” and then the final boss is named Noah. Again, this is a corruption of the account, but where would one get the idea of an “ark” that would save mankind from a disaster? It does not make sense unless there truly was a historical event in which a man named Noah did save all life via an ark from a worldwide aquatic disaster.

There is the Garden of Eden itself. I already referenced to Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which centers around the search for Elysium – paradise, where the Architect lived so they could find out what was wrong with the world as life was dying. There was even a movie that came out a few years ago called Elysium where there was an ideal, perfect utopia, only to find out that underneath was where all the garbage lay and the outcasts who didn’t play to the ideal system. In both cases, the dream world turned out to be a farce and a façade.

Even the time-traveling adventure game Chrono Trigger, considered one of the best video games ever made, centers around Evolution’s history as seven heroes seek to defeat a world-destroying parasite named Lavos. In one of the side quests, the characters debate how they got on the adventure, and they suggest that some “entity” wanted them to see all those events and resolve some regrets. Even in the evolutionary worldview games, there still seems to be some notion of a God out there and the history that is recorded in Genesis 1-11. Again, it is corrupted, hardly resembling the real thing, and often attempting to overthrow or discard such systems, but the mere mention or fact of these things out there shows that God hides the truth about Him in all these different cultures so that no one has an excuse.

This brings a whole new meaning to how it is Jesus who lights up the world, and that every person is given some light. Some games follow the religious aspects, and some games reject them and seek to show the overcoming of such things, but the fact is that God and the history of Genesis 1-11 are embedded into every culture, including in video games and movies. They can’t escape God even if they tried. Even if they make the Christian symbols the bad guys, they cannot escape God. When I started making these connections, I began to worship God and how amazing He is, and I hope you do too.

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A Mature Mindset: You Have a Choice to Make

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Tuesday, October 8, 2024 0 comments


by Jason DeZurik

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:2-4

When I was growing up, I was blessed to have the opportunity to participate on a football team in school. I believe I was in my sophomore year of high school when the following happened.

It was a gloomy rainy day, all day, in October. Growing up in Minnesota, I assure you that it was also quite windy and cold, too. While the weather was not clearing up, many of my friends and I were discussing if maybe perhaps we’d have practice in the gymnasium because certainly our coaches would not put us in the windy, cold, and wet weather outside. Surely, they wouldn’t want to have the possibility of getting sick so we might possibly miss a game! After literally discussing this almost every hour during the school day, many of us had convinced ourselves that we most certainly were going to be inside for the evening practice.

Once in the locker room, many of us were just dilly dallying around, hoping to hear the news that we wouldn’t need to put on our football pants in favor of shorts to practice in the gym. Our coach walked into the locker room a little surprised that many of us weren’t dressed for practice, and he said, “Get your gear on! Practice is starting soon!” We all got our practice gear on and headed outside. Large puddles were everywhere on the practice field. It was cold, wet, and windy. One of our coaches said, “I recommend you just jump in the puddles and get used to it. Stretch out!”

On hearing that, many of the team jumped into the puddles and just decided to embrace the situation. Others on the team gingerly sat down on the cold, wet field, clearly not enjoying themselves. Some complained out loud and chose to sit down, at least for a while. It was one of the most miserable practices I’ve ever been through. Those who embraced it helped the entire team raise their spirit through the situation. Even though our hands became numb and we were soaked to the bone, going through that though helped me and many of my teammates realize we needed to go through that difficulty if we were going to be a team that could be good.

As we went through that and other hardships together, we started to galvanize as a team – not just during football but becoming very good friends. We not only started to trust one another, but we genuinely started to actually like one another. With that said, I am thankful for the coaches that pushed us to do better and to be better. They taught us to change our mindset.

I would not be the man I am today without their guidance and influence in my life. Friends, we need to grow and become mature and complete not lacking anything.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:1-2

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2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Posted by Worldview Warriors On Monday, October 7, 2024 0 comments


by Katie Erickson

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
- 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Right after Paul finished writing about boasting only in Jesus Christ, he shares concerns that the Corinthian church may easily get deceived by false teachers. There appear to be misleading influences and false apostles that have begun to take root in their congregation.

In verse 1, Paul takes on a tone of irony and almost sarcasm. By asking the Corinthians to "put up with" his foolishness, Paul is preparing to defend himself against accusations that might seem boastful or self-important, especially after his thoughts just before this about only boasting in Christ. Paul feels compelled to engage in what he calls "foolishness" because the Corinthians had been seduced by false teachers who presented themselves as superior to Paul.

Paul had previously warned the Corinthians about these "super-apostles" who were leading them astray (2 Corinthians 10:12). These individuals boasted about their credentials and success, something Paul hesitated to do because he did not want to rely on worldly standards of credibility. However, he realized that in order to save the Corinthians from further deception, he needed to contrast his apostleship with that of the false apostles.

Paul's metaphor of "godly jealousy" in verse 2 speaks of his protective concern for the Corinthians' spiritual well-being. His jealousy isn't born from selfish motives but from a desire to see them fully devoted to Christ. He uses the image of a bride and groom to describe the church's relationship with Jesus.

Paul, as a spiritual father, views himself as the one responsible for keeping the Corinthians faithful to Christ, their spiritual husband. In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, the role of a father or guardian was to protect a betrothed woman until her wedding day, ensuring that she remained pure for her husband. Similarly, Paul sees himself as the guardian of the Corinthian believers' spiritual purity, preparing them for the ultimate union with Christ.

In verse 3, Paul references the story of Eve's deception in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7) to illustrate how the Corinthians were being deceived. Just as the serpent used cunning and trickery to lead Eve into sin, Paul fears that the Corinthians are being led away from the simplicity and purity of their devotion to Christ by false teachers.

The false apostles in Corinth were teaching doctrines that were different from what Paul had originally preached. They were likely presenting sophisticated arguments and attractive teachings that appealed to the Corinthians' desires for wisdom and power. Paul reminds them that spiritual deception often comes in subtle ways, just as it did with Eve.

Paul directly addresses the issue of false teachings in verse 4. He is astonished that the Corinthians are so willing to tolerate teachings that deviate from the Gospel he had preached to them. These false apostles were promoting a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel. Paul emphasizes that any deviation from the true Gospel is unacceptable.

In Corinth, the false apostles were likely mixing elements of Greek philosophy, Jewish legalism, and Christian doctrine in a way that distorted the Gospel. Paul is concerned that the Corinthians, in their desire for wisdom and spiritual experiences, were too quick to accept these altered teachings. This willingness to embrace false teachings shows a lack of discernment and a susceptibility to deception.

Paul’s heart is that of a loving and protective shepherd, concerned for the spiritual well-being of his flock. He sees the Corinthians as betrothed to Christ, and his desire is to present them pure and faithful to their spiritual bridegroom. However, he is deeply concerned that they are being led astray by false teachings, much like Eve was deceived in the Garden of Eden.

We, too, can be led astray by subtle lies and distortions of the truth. It’s important to remain grounded in the simplicity and purity of the Gospel. Paul warns against accepting any teaching that presents a “different Jesus” or a “different gospel,” which is prevalent in our Christian culture today. We must be discerning, testing all teachings against the truth of Scripture.

Paul’s metaphor of the church as a bride betrothed to Christ reminds us of the importance of maintaining our spiritual purity and devotion to Him. Our relationship with Christ should be marked by faithfulness and love, not divided loyalties or compromises with false teachings.

Paul’s “godly jealousy” for the Corinthians shows us the deep responsibility that church leaders and mentors have in protecting the spiritual well-being of those under their care. They must guide, protect, and sometimes engage in “foolishness” for the sake of the truth.

In a world filled with competing ideologies and spiritual confusion, Paul’s words here serve as a reminder to keep our focus on Christ, to cling to the true Gospel, and to be wary of anything that would lead us away from the simplicity and purity of our devotion to Him. Stay in the Scriptures, regularly studying them, pray for discernment regarding what is true and what is false, and stay connected to a community that can help you in these pursuits.

This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration.  All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved.  Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.

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