In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 10
Paul Describes Himself
10 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Have you ever used the expression, “You’re taking advantage of my Christian attitude”? Paul is implying, in so many words, that some Corinthians here in chapter 10 have commented that Paul was very bold in his absence through his letters and mild while present among them. They even became personal in their attacks, “His appearance is unimpressive and his speech contemptible” (2 Corinthians 10:10). Paul insisted his behavior was consistent whether there or absent. These same believers also began to boast about their accomplishments in the city in comparison to Paul’s. Basically, they began to take credit for the work that Paul had begun there. Paul refused to engage in the pettiness and refuted them with Jeremiah 9:24, “Let him who boasts boast of this…let him boast in the Lord.”
You need to understand something, and if you are serving the Lord you need to learn it quick. Not everyone is going to be excited about the things you’re accomplishing in ministry. There will be many jealous people questioning your motives, your intentions. How you handle this says a lot about who you are and your maturity. I know it is difficult to ignore these accusations and lies, but you must understand that we are not dealing with the flesh alone. Although we walk in the flesh, our battle is against strongholds, spiritual darkness. Satan would be very content with you spending all your time confronting bad behavior, defending your reputation and motives, all the while missing opportunities to spread the gospel. Sometimes you just have to ignore it all, knowing you’re doing the work of the Father.