No, God does not directly inflict pain; He permits Satan to afflict people within limits He sets.
Les Feldick teaches that God allows Satan to bring suffering, but only within boundaries God establishes. The examples of Job and Paul's thorn illustrate that while Satan is the source of affliction, God permits it for specific purposes. This distinction preserves God's sovereignty while clarifying that He is not the author of evil.
2 Corinthians 12:7 — Paul's thorn is called a messenger of Satan, showing the source of affliction.
The Bible, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, refers to Paul's affliction as a 'thorn in the flesh' that is 'the messenger of Satan to buffet me.' This indicates that the source of the suffering is Satan, not God. In the book of Job, God gives Satan permission to afflict Job but sets specific limits (Job 1:12, 2:6). The Bible also speaks of the curse of sin bringing sickness and suffering upon the world (Genesis 3:16-19, as referenced by Les). These passages collectively show that while God may permit suffering, He does not personally inflict it.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God is not the one who inflicts pain or discomfort. Instead, He allows Satan to bring affliction, as seen with Job. God draws boundaries on how far Satan can go, protecting believers from total destruction. Les also explains that Paul's thorn was a messenger of Satan to buffet him, preventing pride from the abundant revelations he received. Thus, pain is permitted as a tool to remind believers of their weakness and dependence on God.
Les teaches that God permits Satan to afflict believers for specific purposes. In Paul's case, the thorn was given to keep him humble and prevent him from being exalted above measure due to the abundance of revelations. In Job's case, it was allowed to test Job's faithfulness and to prove to Satan that Job's obedience was not based solely on blessings. Les notes that God sets limits on Satan's power, such as forbidding him from taking Job's life.
Les discusses the Corinthian situation where Paul instructed the church to deliver a sinning believer to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Les clarifies that this does not affect the person's spiritual salvation but is a physical consequence permitted by God. He emphasizes that Satan can only act within what God allows, as demonstrated in the account of Job.
Paul's Thorn Keeps Him Humble
God gave Paul a physical affliction to prevent him from sharing his visions and becoming proud, showing that God permits suffering for spiritual discipline.
Satan's Limits in Job's Life
God did not let Satan do whatever he wanted with Job; He set boundaries, showing that pain is allowed but controlled.
Satan's Power Limited by God
Paul references Job to show that Satan can only go as far as God permits, even in church discipline.
Thorn as Messenger of Satan
Les identifies the thorn as a messenger of Satan, clarifying that God does not personally inflict pain but uses it as a means of grace.
Why Paul Was Never One of the Twelve — Acts 9 Explained
Every time He tried to exercise some persecution, He was the one who ended up hurting, and God is showing it to him now that He was totally fighting a losing battle. Then in verse 6, God is trembling. You see where God has Saul now? Now always remember, all the way up through Biblical times, through human history, what kind of men did God choose to use? Well the lowly.
God vs. Satan's Magicians: Why Aaron's Rod Swallowed Theirs
Now, verse 18, "'Therefore he,' God, "'hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.'" Now that throws a curve at us, doesn't it? Boy, that's hard to comprehend. Verse 19, "'Thou wilt then say unto me, Why doth he then find fault? For who hath resisted his will?' In other words, Paul is asking the question, well, if God is putting this guy in this kind of a position, then w…
Understanding the Curse & God’s Promise of a Redeemer
But Satan got his licks in by bruising the heel of Christ by causing the suffering. And all that Christ went through there at the cross was the bruising of His heel. All right, then let's go on into the following verses, because I want to come on as quickly to verse 20. But in the intervening verses from 16 on down, we have now the curse brought on the sea. The curse.
Physical Destruction vs. Spiritual Salvation
Delivering to Satan for destruction of the flesh is a physical, not spiritual, judgment, consistent with the principle that suffering is not God's direct action.
2 Corinthians 12:7: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Shows the thorn is from Satan, not God.
Job 1:12: And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Demonstrates God's limits on Satan's affliction of Job.
Job 2:6: And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Further shows God's boundary.
1 Corinthians 5:5: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Illustrates that physical affliction can be permitted for spiritual purposes.
According to Les Feldick, God does not cause suffering directly. He permits Satan to afflict individuals within limits He sets, as seen with Job and Paul. God uses these trials for spiritual purposes like humility and growth.
Les Feldick explains that the thorn was a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul. It was not directly from God, but God allowed it to keep Paul from being exalted above measure.
Les teaches that God allows such affliction for purposes like keeping believers humble, testing faith, and demonstrating His power. Satan's actions are limited by God's commands.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31