2 Corinthians 10:12-18

How Do I Protect Myself?

A Question Of Power

Do you live so that you can be proud of yourself, or so that God can be proud of you? Do you crave the applause of men or the applause of God? Paul was losing the minister’s popularity contest in Corinth because he refused to puff himself up and tell others how great he was doing. Paul would not explain his past experiences in new places. His goal was always to “know nothing… except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). He just kept preaching the gospel, let the Holy Spirit do its work, and didn’t resort to telling others about his previous success.

This week’s question of life is about protecting ourselves and making sure we are treated fairly. An old pastor of mine used to tell his family that “the fair was in October” whenever someone complained that something “wasn’t fair!” The short answer to fairness and protecting ourselves is that life isn’t fair. We do not protect ourselves, but we let God do the talking for us. God is our protection and power. We boast about what the Lord is doing, and we leave ourselves out of it. We seek God’s commendation, not people’s applause.