“So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
Since when does Satan work for believers to become more Christ like? Ever since God is sovereign… providential… on His throne… and in control. Think about it: Satan’s desire is to destroy, kill, maim, and wound Christians. Yet God so controls all things that what Satan intends accomplishes the exact opposite… our sanctification!
The last thing Satan desired was for Paul to be more like Christ in humility, but that is exactly what took place as a direct result of his attack on Paul! Satan was used as a pawn by God to conform Paul to Christ which resulted in God being glorified! YES! I LOVE IT!
Think! God uses Satan to make Christians more like Christ!! God only allows Satan to do what accomplishes the opposite of what Satan intends!
When it comes to understanding the hardships, tests, and temptations of life… that we sometimes believe to be evil attack of Satan… we can say with confidence and joy… “You meant it for evil, God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).