Opus 2025-409: Reverse the Thorn

Paul had a thorn in the flesh.  It was a handicap to keep him humble.  If what he got is humility then without the thorn it would have been a sight to behold.

I’m wondering if we can use the same principle but turn it around.  Could we be thorns in the flesh to try and bring people to spiritual growth.  I think of a friend being a thorn in the flesh to the pastors he had to work with.  The man needed someone to keep him on edge, to ask him the hard questions and face him with reality.

It could be that many of us have that role.  It doesn’t have to be aggressive.  In fact I would recommend a gentle and courteous demeanor.  When he presents some juicy heresy act mystified and ask him for his references.  Pretend like it is your memory problem not his theology.  

Of course if you have a personality like Paul you might mention him next time you write a letter to the church in Galatia.  

homo unius libri