Introduction

Good morning. Let us turn to 2 Corinthians, chapter 11. If you read this chapter, you would conclude that its contents were written before the Corinthian church had turned around. In other words, the letters written before the Corinthian church turned around may have been received all at once into 2 Corinthians.

If you cannot immerse yourself in the context of this chapter after reading it, it is difficult to understand. In my earlier days, I was ignorant, so when I read 2 Corinthians chapter 11, I did not understand what Paul was talking about. Later, I discovered that Paul's words could lead people out of the devil's lies. These words are really not meant to solve other problems, but to cut off the opportunity for those who seek opportunity. You show people: Look how I serve you, how I suffer. It sounds strange, but in certain situations, it really has to be said.

Before pastoring, I could not understand this passage at all. Later, while pastoring, I watched some brothers and sisters being deceived by the devil. I do not know why people's minds think such evil things. I tell you, you do not even have to think about it, strange voices often pop up in your mind.

In the past few years, I have fought many spiritual battles, and I must tell you, I have never lost a battle. Why? It is really by the love of Jesus Christ that I said some foolish things, and finally dragged people out of it, so I now especially understand what the Apostle Paul said.

This chapter is called cutting off the opportunity for those who seek opportunity. How does the devil work? How does the devil do it? It must be through people. So this person is looking for an opportunity, looking for an opportunity to corrupt the church. Who is looking for an opportunity? It is the people of the devil who混到the church, everyone must know.

If you want to build a church, if you cannot distinguish which are God's people and which are wolves in sheep's clothing, then you are completely finished. Thank God! Probably because I have this heart in me, I read the contents of the Bible relatively clearly, especially 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, that is, I cannot give them an opportunity. Sometimes this person comes to the church as half-human and half-devil.

So I have to encourage you, because you may not know whether the brother who is talking to you is speaking for himself or the devil inside him is speaking. May God have mercy! You cannot tell the difference. People come to the church with a body of devils; sometimes they are human, sometimes they are devils. It is precisely because of this that the spiritual battle of the church is more difficult to fight.

So we are not driving people away, we are driving away devils, we are dealing with devils, and devils live inside people. So how can the church be cleansed? It is to take back people's thoughts and submit to Christ. And also to drive out the devils in people's bodies little by little.

So the church has been able to get to where it is today, I must tell you, it is because God has had mercy on me, allowing me to fully know God in my understanding. Have you finished knowing Him? Every time I know God more deeply, there is a deeper level of emotion, every time it is like this. If you are a pastor, you must learn; if you want to be a good person, you will not say these things.

1. The Devil Will Not Let Go of Any Opportunity to Corrupt People

Then the question comes, the devil will not let go of the opportunity to corrupt you, so if the devil comes to corrupt you, what should you do? The pastor must do one thing. Do you know how the devil corrupts people? The devil makes you feel that the church owes you, that the pastor owes you, but it may not really be an indebtedness. The devil makes you feel that the pastor owes you this, and I am too clear about these two things, so a pastor cannot give the devil any opportunity, that is the problem.

A pastor must not give the devil any opportunity, otherwise you really owe the people you are pastoring. If you are a pastor who owes members money or borrows money from them, I tell you, you do not even have to think about it, the next day the devil will release lies in people. Even if you do not owe him, the devil will still release lies.

Did the Apostle Paul owe the Corinthian church anything? He did not owe them anything. He did not take a needle or a thread from them, and he did not take any advantage of them. Paul gave them everything, without taking anything, and gave it to them for free, and the devil still released such lies. So tell me, if he says you really owe him, that is not releasing a lie, that is releasing a fact. So as a pastor, you should often make the people you are pastoring feel indebted to you.

This immediately makes people a little confused. Some people say: Teacher, didn't you say to always think of owing? I said: Yes! I am asking you to always think of owing me. If I do not let you always think of owing me, wouldn't that be bad? I can think that I always think of owing you, but you cannot think that I really owe you. If you think that I really owe you, that would be bad. Let us look at what Paul wrote:

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. But you are doing that already! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. (2 Corinthians 11:1-6)

Once, one of our sisters had a dark face. Another sister said: Teacher, please stop talking about her. I said: Why can't I talk about her? This sister said: Look, she already feels very indebted to you, she already feels very ashamed in front of you, if you talk about her again, you will make her feel indebted to you even more. I said: If you feel you owe me, will you put on a stinky face?

I will tell you a truth, those words are just a disguise. It won't do if you talk with these words to me! Am I don't usually teach everyone to learn to see the essence of things? Why put on a stinky face when you are in front of me? That's because she feels that I owe her. As a result, it exploded a few days later, she felt that I owed her, owing her to the point that she was about to explode, and finally she blurted out what was in her heart. The situation was terrible!

I thank God! I cannot give the devil any opportunity. If what I said are really on the thing, then the devil must fall down. This is the brother I am pastoring, this is the sister I am pastoring, the devil must retreat, and the lies must retreat.

Later, this sister finally told the truth. I said, What did I do? You gave me a stinky face. What did I do? You are so frantic. She came back with a sentence: You always喷me (spit on me). I said: What did I喷(spit on) you? After thinking for a long time, I said: Did I喷(spit on) you today? She said: No. I said: Did I喷(spit on) you yesterday? She said: No. I said: Then did I喷(spit on) you last week? She said: No. I said: Then I serve you, doing all these dirty and tiring work, and it turned out that I'm喷(spitting on) you?

Do you think it's evil? You say how powerful this devil is. I made the devil behind her angry. Of course, you will find that gradually this person begins to turn to me. The devil began to go crazy, talking to himself. The devil thought: I just want to整死(to make sure she is dead) her, why can't I整死(make sure she is dead) her? Why doesn't she believe what I said, and insists on believing you. Isn't that right? Because I use all my strength to serve this sister, the devil's lies are useless to me. Brothers and sisters can try it. If you really keep at it, you will find that you cannot keep at it with me, because I am willing to pay the price.

Some time ago, I served a sister who almost fell into the devil's trick. We serve people, and which one is not half-human and half-devil? They are all half-human and half-devil. She came to me and told me, and I understood immediately. I will not give the devil any opportunity. What does that mean? Aren't you always saying that you are willing to pay the price? Then how about I let you pay the price today? Come on. Is it tiring? Certainly tiring. Is it weak? Certainly weak. Is it uncomfortable in the heart? Certainly uncomfortable. But I do not follow people's will, because I serve according to God's will.

If I follow my own will, I will run as far as I can. You know that I have a fatal problem in my life, which is that I hate stupidity. Stupid people always talk off topic, and they cannot get to the point. As soon as they say this sentence, they forget the point, and they even pull you off topic. They are full of devils.

So what I do, everyone must know, I want to make you indebted to me. But making you indebted to me is not actually that you are not indebted to me, you are really indebted to me, because when I serve you, I do not covet anything from you, I serve with all my strength. But if people still nitpick at me, then they must be indebted to me, right? If they still discern good and evil with me, then they must be indebted to me, right?

I told these little pastors among us: There are some things that you cannot serve, come to me. Am I afraid that everyone will come to me? Bring all these pastoral problems to me, what should I do? I am not afraid, I will整(to sort things out) one by one, and I will eventually be able to整(to sort things out) finish, because God will be with me.

I want to make people always think they owe me, is that true? It is true. I like you to owe me, because this is edifying for you and does not give the devil opportunity. If I have not owed you anything yet, the devil is still releasing lies. If I really owe you, then wouldn't I be deceived? Think about it.

What did the devil use to deceive the Corinthian church? The greatest apostles. He brought out the greatest apostles to lure people away from the Apostle Paul's teaching. If Paul really owed the Corinthian church, it would have been ruined.

2. I Feel a Divine Jealousy for You, Since I Betrothed You to One Husband

If you want to serve God, you must have jealousy in you. You know that I am especially jealous of the devil deceiving people. And the devil corrupts people, it is really going to make people's eyes red. For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband. Why? Because the devil is always trying to deceive you, and after deceiving you, he will corrupt you. He will drag you into corruption, and you still feel that it is very reasonable.

I tell you, this is the purpose of our service, to release people from the hands of the devil. When that energy comes up, the devil must fall down, and the devil's lies must be removed, just like the serpent deceived Eve. The purpose of our service is to build a glorious church, like a pure virgin to be presented to Jesus Christ. People just like to be perverse, and that perverseness is very evil. You must pay attention to the perverseness inside you.

If there is a history of cancer patients in your family, your father is a cancer patient, your aunt is a cancer patient, and your uncles in your family are cancer patients, then there is this kind of thing existing in your bones, and it cannot be completely removed unless you are a saint. People just like to be perverse, and when they think, they go off course. Isn't that evil? When they think, they are negative. The other day I served a sister, and that was evil, but later I felt that one by one they would be turned around. I thank God! I will not give Satan a single opportunity, because I will define to release the brothers and sisters among us from the dominion of this evil spirit.

The other day, a sister had a headache so badly that she was grimacing. I said: Then just take two pain relievers, it will not affect prayer. She thought: What? You are not willing to pray for me? At that time, my jealousy rose up. Oh my, that one顿损(scolding), what is that if not a lie? I am serving people who walk in off the street with all my strength, so how is it possible that I am not willing to serve my own church members who have been pastoring for so many years, little pastors, big pastors, and牧区长(pastoral district leaders)? I am not willing to pray for her? So when people have this perverse voice inside, when this distorted energy comes up, you must be especially careful. When we read 2 Corinthians chapter 11, those people are really perverse.

Brothers and sisters, even if you are an insignificant person, I may give you a judgment: This person loves the world, but that does not mean that I will not serve you. I will definitely do my best to drag you out of here. As long as you are still willing to follow the church today, I will feel indebted to you, but you cannot feel that I owe you.

I will use all my strength to get rid of these perverse things, not giving the devil an opportunity to lie, and not allowing it to corrupt the brothers and sisters among us.

3. I Consider That I Am Not in the Least Inferior to These Super-Apostles

I often mention Peter, he is the greatest apostle, but so what? It is just a lie. If you are with me, even if you bring out Jesus Christ, do you think I care about this? Bring out Jesus Christ and how主耶稣(Lord Jesus)is, how you do not have any love. These words are useless to me. So everyone must know that my words are crude, but my knowledge is not crude. Not only is my knowledge not crude, but my道(message) is also not crude, because I explain神’s道(God's message) clearly according to神's will (God's will).

Some people may ask: Teacher, you are studying 2 Corinthians chapter 11, how come I hear that you seem to be bragging about yourself? Yes! That is what it means. Why? Because no matter if he is the greatest apostle or whatever, I tell you, it is useless if you do not pay the price. It is useless for you to bring out so-and-so's famous pastor. Even if I am an unknown little pastor, I do not care about this matter.
But as long as this matter falls into my hands and this person is pastored by me, I will definitely serve with my heart. This is what everyone can testify for me.

Anyone whom I have served, you will know how carefully I serve you, and I often say some words that you may not like to hear, but other than that, I just want to drag you out of the devil's lies, not giving these devils an opportunity to corrupt you. I want to cut off the opportunity for those who seek opportunity.

I do not care what apostle or not, big or not big, as for every sheep that God has given me, I serve with all my heart and soul, just like the Apostle Paul. So in Chinese Mingding Destiny, you can learn anything. You can learn the doctrines, you can learn the knowledge, but you may not be able to learn to pay the price. Because no one is willing to pay such a price. Is it hard work? It really is hard work. If we are going to triumph, let us triumph in our Lord Jesus. I thank God! God has given me such a heart, and I thank God! God has given us an Apostle Paul, so that we can imitate. What Paul said was powerful.

People's names are meaningless; the key is whether they can be down-to-earth and truly learn to imitate. I thank God! These people among us, whether they are little pastors or牧区长(pastoral district leaders), they are really imitating me, really using their hearts, and really spending their energy. Sometimes at two or three in the morning, I see that they are still serving. How do you know? Because I am in their group, how would I not know? I see that they are still serving there, and my heart is about to melt. They are really imitating God and imitating the Apostle Paul.

Our brothers and sisters should start walking this road. If you feel that you owe, then start walking this road from now on, imitate us, so that you can walk on the path that is pleasing to God. If you are in debt today, I tell you that is not the kingdom of God. God wants to get rid of your debts, this is not a difficult thing, the most difficult thing is to turn around those things that you are leaning towards in your heart, so that you can walk on the path of God.

Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7)

4. I Preached God’s Gospel to You Free of Charge

The reason why we can preach God's truth to you today with certainty is not because of anything else, but so that you can receive the benefits of this gospel with me. It is not that I am getting benefits from you, because the benefits I have received from God are already enough, exceeding what I ask or think.

You say: How did God give you benefits? If you imitate me, you will know. I have never taken a needle or a thread from anyone. You know that Moses, Samuel, how Samuel said when he was old? He said: I have not taken anything from you, nor have I taken a shoelace from you.

When it came to the Apostle Paul, he also said: I have not taken advantage of you. I preached the gospel to you free of charge, so is this a sin? The devil released lies, making the Corinthians think that Paul was放长线钓大鱼(playing a long game), so the devil can make up any story. What did Paul say?

I robbed other churches by receiving support from them in order to serve you. (2 Corinthians 11:8)

He got support from other churches, people from Macedonia, to meet Paul's needs. Didn't Paul say that he supports himself and his co-workers with his own hands? Paul said that the Macedonians supported him, that he robbed other churches, that is, Macedonia, by getting support from them in order to serve you. This was just said for them to hear.

Actually, let me tell you, Paul never took advantage of the Macedonian churches either. Only occasionally, when some were willing to come all the way from Macedonia to see Paul, they would bring him a few things, that was all. Who did Paul owe? He owed no one. Let me tell you, that was Paul's way; he was very skilled at speaking.

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. (2 Corinthians 11:8-9, KJV)

Why is that? Because to avoid giving you an opportunity for corruption. To prevent you from being corrupted by the devil, from having an opportunity to be corrupted. Once a shepherd takes advantage of the brothers and sisters, it's over. I'm just struck by it! There was a sister who came among us and shared about her former pastor. Suddenly, someone came to her previous church, whether it was real or not, a high-ranking official, a very famous person, saying that the grandson-in-law of a founding father had come to him.

If he came to me, I would say I would give him my best, which is Chinese Mingding Destiny. Whether it's true or not, whether it's a swindler. As a result, this grandson-in-law took the pastor to these brand stores, buying this and that, and then the pastor paid for him.

I was very surprised, why would this pastor pay for him? Why wouldn't I pay? Because I have nothing to ask of him. I don't expect any future entanglements, anything to gain from him, so why would he spend money? Because he thought he might get some benefit from him in the future. That's the crux of the matter; we must freely preach the gospel to people today, without seeking any gain.

But let me tell you, sometimes when you contact people, you can always feel a little something, maybe it's just my imagination. People always feel like I'm after something from them. Today, I want to state before everyone that I'm not after anything because God has given me enough, God will provide for me. I am provided for by God, how could I lack? I lack nothing.

I have never taken anything from anyone, nor have I taken advantage of anyone. I only have one focus, which is to give, often leaving people feeling indebted. It's not that I need you to feel indebted to me; whether you feel indebted to me or not, I really don't care much. But if you feel indebted to me, like the Corinthians who were transformed because of reading Paul's letter in 2 Corinthians. Why? Suddenly awakened, Oh, we owe Paul too much! Although it sounds harsh, after people read it, they begin to awaken in their hearts.

If you are fighting a battle with demons, to free people from the hands of the devil, you must also learn the language style of 2 Corinthians chapter 11. You must often tell people that it is not Paul who needs them to feel indebted to him, but if Paul does not tell the Corinthians that they owe him, they will not be transformed, and it will give the devil an opportunity to corrupt the Corinthians.

So, that's how to cut off the opportunity for those who seek opportunity. Not only do we often serve people in fact, without seeking anything in return. Whether they are poor or rich, we treat everyone equally, serving them wholeheartedly. Of course, if you want to try, then try. Some people try and find that I can afford the price, but they cannot afford the time. I can serve them, but they cannot bear my service. That is the love that comes from God. We can sweat, we can weep, we can bleed, because this is God's will for us. We can endure hardship, we can suffer grievances, we can endure toil, we can endure labor, it doesn't matter. We really must have this kind of determination!

Why do people have a heart to love God? Because we are servants of God! We deeply know that this generation needs people like Paul. I think you will be inspired to begin to imitate the Apostle Paul.

V. Demonstrating That We Are Servants of Christ

Why freely preach the gospel to you? To demonstrate that we are servants of Christ. What are the characteristics of a servant of Christ? It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; as far as the world is concerned, I am dead. So, I especially like attending funerals, maybe tonight I will go see another dead person, a good friend of mine in his sixties has died, and I am very moved! Actually, I have seen several people off in the past few years. But every time I see people leave the world, just a few short decades, it is meaningless.

The only thing that is meaningful is serving God, the only thing that is meaningful is demonstrating that you are a servant of Christ. If you are a servant of Christ, you must be someone who sees through life and death. Only when people look down on these trivial matters of this world can you serve God! If you still love the world halfway and love God halfway, it is very difficult.

So, in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 that I am speaking about, I hope that brothers and sisters can demonstrate that they are servants of Christ. If you are uncomfortable today, then that is right. Why are you uncomfortable? Is it because you love the world? Then you are not yet a servant of Christ. If you are uncomfortable for the sake of the kingdom of God, uncomfortable because the Corinthians are about to fall, then you are a servant of God, not seeking your own benefit.

I have to tell you, some people, their mother's money, they feel like it is their own. I think, what does your mother's money have to do with you? She can spend it however she wants. There was someone who was very interesting, he was still my classmate, he thought his mother's retirement money was his, and his mother wasn't even dead yet. Later, when his mother was going to live with his brother, he said to his mother, You have to remember, I know how much money you can spend each day, and I know how much should be left.

I thought it was strange, I said, what does that have to do with you? He thought the money was his. Can such a person be good? We demonstrate that we are servants of Christ. What does that mean? I am willing to give, because that is God's Mingding Destiny for me. Today, everyone doesn't need to investigate anymore. If you want to investigate, you can come and investigate me, to see if what I am saying is true. If it is not true, then you really cannot serve God, nor can you build God's glorious church, nor can you present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. It cannot be done!

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:23-29, NIV)

What does this passage mean? It shows that we are servants of Christ, and that there is a pursuit in our hearts. It shows that we have no hope in this world, because our hope is in heaven, in Jesus Christ. I am willing to pay the price for this matter, this is who we are.

I am willing to pay the price for this matter; today, if you are an ordinary member, occasionally coming to freeload some blessings, you may not be able to listen to this. But it doesn't matter, you need to know that there is still such a group of people in this place. This group of people is quite interesting, how could they be like this? You can't understand. Why? Because many people are servants of the world, servants of the devil, but we are servants of Christ, to bring God's people into God's kingdom and present them to Jesus Christ, to become a holy virgin.

So, people ask us, is Chinese Mingding Destiny a theology of grace? What kind of theology is Chinese Mingding Destiny exactly? Chinese Mingding Destiny is a theology of paying the price and striving for pursuit! Pursuing what? Striving to be like Jesus Christ, willing to offer ourselves.

Every time my friends pass away, my heart is shaken. Why? Because they are all people whom I once advised to willingly become servants of Jesus Christ, but it was not successful. Although it was very unsuccessful, I don't regret it; I know I have done what I should have done.

Just ten days ago, I went to the hospital to see this friend of mine. In the hospital, I brought a co-worker. My co-worker saw how I served him and said, Teacher, you still serve him like this? Yes! So, I think, even if he passes away, I have no regrets. Because we came into this world to do this work, this is called Mingding Destiny, demonstrating that we are servants of Christ.

One day I read a book that mentioned that when a person climbs the spiritual heights, climbs to a level called Galatians 2:20, your heart will be open and the road will be smooth. Because at that time, I was entangled, uncomfortable, and very tired. Did I know that I was a servant of Jesus Christ? I knew, but there were still many things I couldn't let go of. Then suddenly one day, after about half a year, after those six months had passed, suddenly I began to have a comfortable feeling in my heart, which is what the book described.

I suddenly received an inspiration, it is no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me. Oh, how happy! I don't know how to tell you today, I began to worry about the kingdom of God, for you, the zeal I had was the kind of zeal God had, but my heart was still open, and by faith in Jesus Christ, there was no defeat.

Although you may be deceived by the devil at some point, because of us, these servants of Jesus Christ, we can certainly cut off the path of opportunity that the devil seeks. I want you to continue to grow in Jesus Christ, and like me, be able to experience this feeling, it is no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me. Speaking of this, do you think you are amazing just because you are a servant of Jesus Christ? No!

VI. Who Is Weak, and I Do Not Feel Weak? Who Is Led into Sin, and I Do Not Inwardly Burn?

Everyone must know that having the mind of Christ is not a joke. Seeing people fall is not a very comfortable feeling. It is actually a very painful feeling. The feeling of anxiety inside us changes the way we speak, and those words are like 2 Corinthians chapter 11.

So, brothers and sisters, you must know that serving God, after reaching Galatians chapter 2, verse 20, your heart will be at peace. Why? Because you have let go of your own trivial matters and picked up these matters instead. Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? I am anxious in my heart, helpless! Praying silently there, not knowing where to start, but thank God.

Even if these things weigh on us every day, we also know that this is the price we should pay. I say these words hoping that brothers and sisters can understand the Apostle Paul's thoughts, and understand that there is a group of people in the world who are not worthy of this world, these people are those who do not live for themselves. I thank God that I have the opportunity to read the contents of 2 Corinthians. This is what it means to serve God, to demonstrate that you are a servant of Christ, and to continue to triumph in the spiritual battlefield, no matter what situation you are in.

Did the Corinthian church transform? It did. It was because they read such words, and were moved by God's love. They realized that Paul was such a person, how could they possibly let him down? As a result, Titus took the letter of 2 Corinthians to Corinth. The people of the Corinthian church read this passage and were deeply moved. Titus returned with good news, saying that the Corinthians had changed, the devil's trickery was once again defeated, and the devil's search for opportunity was cut off again.

VII. In Everything We Have Kept Ourselves Pure, and So We Will Keep Ourselves.

Did we triumph? We triumphed. Why? Because we are careful to keep every step. If every step is taken wrong, the devil may get an opportunity. Everyone begins to walk step by step, being careful in all things, and will be careful in the future. But let me tell you, after the Apostle Paul leaves the world, this spirit of carefulness and faith will continue to be passed down.

The church persisted for hundreds of years, and then it deteriorated, and the Middle Ages were the darkest ages of the church. Why? Because the church and the Roman Empire became one. Did the church win over the Roman Empire? Actually, no, the church was polluted by the Roman Empire. People had to join the church to become officials. What kind of stuff is that? To not give these devils opportunity, we must be careful in everything today.

In this generation, we are going to restore the era of the Apostle Paul, because we are not believing in the Lord in order to gain some benefit, we want to gain the satisfaction of God's will, not to gain earthly benefits. If we seek earthly benefits, then the devil will have many opportunities to stir things up and make the church a mess. Even today, many churches are still a mess, why? Because there is a lack of people like the Apostle Paul, who demonstrate that they are servants of Christ in all things, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Then you can't be careless? In the past few years, sometimes when I look back, I almost stepped into a pit, almost. If you are not careful, there are pits everywhere, and it is enough to suffer if you fall in, so we don't give people the opportunity to corrupt the church.

Today, brothers and sisters, if you are a small pastor, or you are a district leader, reflect on yourself carefully. If you are muddle-headed, careless, not careful in all things, and will not be careful in the future, you will definitely fall into a pit, because that lie is like a huge net that makes people fall in. For example, money, busyness, these are all snares.

VIII. Please Bear with Me in This Bit of Foolishness

I have said so much, I need everyone to bear with me in this bit of foolishness. This is Paul's language style, you must bear with me in this bit of foolishness. What did he say?

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! (2 Corinthians 11:1, NIV)

Did people put up with it? People didn't put up with it, but they did later.

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. (2 Corinthians 11:16-21, NIV)

This is very interesting, Paul said, I am just foolish. But what does this foolishness say? Who likes to gild their face? No one likes it. But it won't work if you don't, it won't work if you don't say it this way, Paul demonstrates that he is a servant of Christ, how can you say that I don't look like one?

Moreover, these words are not spoken on the Lord's command, people do not attribute this matter to Jesus, this is Paul himself speaking, saying these words to shame himself, to argue a few sentences for himself. Paul's language is too powerful! I just want to shame myself a little, I boast that I am a servant of Christ, I am just shaming myself a little, you tolerate me in this bit of foolishness, actually saying the opposite.

But Paul's language actually expresses his inner voice, it is not easy. It is not easy to shepherd people, to snatch God's sheep from the hands of the devil. It is not easy to take people's thoughts and bring them to God. In this spiritual battlefield, taking back all of a person's thoughts and making him obey Christ is not easy.

Sometimes you still have to boast a little, if you dare to boast, I will also boast a few sentences. Originally, it wasn't Jesus who told me to boast, but I still have to boast, so everyone often puts a hat on me, Teacher, you are being Versailles again. If you don't Versailles, if you don't create a little desire, how can this road be walked? This is the Apostle Paul.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:30, NIV)

What is weakness? It is not taking advantage of you. I am willing to endure hardship, this is my weakness, I don't want to take advantage of you. Then those who take advantage of you, how powerful, how strong they must be! Paul said, I will boast of those weak things.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. (2 Corinthians 11:31, NIV)

I want to make a summary, God bears witness for us, God bears witness for the Apostle Paul. Today, I am determined, no matter whether these words are pleasant to hear or not, everything must be edifying, and not give the devil an opportunity. Let people begin to turn to Jesus Christ, come out of this little life, come out of this corruption, come out of lies, come out of busyness. Begin to take their own thoughts back and bring them to God. Later, the hearts of the Corinthians all turned to God, thank God! These words are all necessary to learn.

May God bless everyone!