October 26 Click on verses for Full Scripture	previous - - - - - - - - - - next
Today's Pathway: II Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

In chapter 4 Paul discusses his ministry. Back in verse 6 of chapter 3 he talked about being a minister of the New Testament, which included both preaching the Gospel and assisting believers to become more conformed to the image of Christ. Paul says that because he has received the mercy of God he is not going to quit carrying out these responsibilities. He understood that he did not deserve to be saved, and that he did not deserve to be called by God into His service. He knew that it was a privilege to have the ministry that he did, and because of that he was willing to stand strong regardless of what difficulties or opposition or rejection he faced. There is a lesson for us here. When we understand that it is only by the mercy of God that we are saved and have the opportunity for ministry, we will be much less likely to quit. Ministry, regardless of whether it is being done by a pastor or a church member, is a great gift from God, and should never be considered to be a burden. How can we possibly back away from serving the God Who had such great mercy on us?

Paul is not fainting, and there are several other things that he is also not doing. First, he is not using "the hidden things of dishonesty". "Dishonesty" carries the idea of "shame". Paul indicates that there are alleged "ministers" who have a hidden and shameful agenda, and he is not going to be like them. In addition, some were "walking in craftiness". A crafty person is marked by subtlety and guile. These "preachers" were using trickery to achieve their goal, which was clearly not the glory of God, but rather the exaltation of themselves. Finally they were mishandling the Scriptures. The word translated "deceitfully" means "to corrupt with error, to distort,". The word was used in the marketplace for "watering down" wine. These false teachers were twisting the Scriptures to make them say what they did not. They were adding or subtracting things from the Gospel message because more people would be willing to listen, which would increase their own personal gain.

Ray Steadman made this application.

"You would think that Paul had just been listening to some Christian radio broadcasts, or television programs, when he wrote this. Evidently there were people in his day, preaching in churches and evangelizing, who were practicing disgraceful, underhanded ways. They were relying on cunning approaches and even tampering with the Word of God. Paul says, 'I want nothing to do with it.' Notice particularly what this consists of, because this speaks to our own time. First, he says, 'I have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways,' that is, the practice of deliberate deceit. . . Paul says he refuses to practice cunning. Now what does that mean? Well, it means to rely on some psychological trick played on people to get them to respond, some intense pressure tactic in a meeting, perhaps beautiful seductive music to get them to give way, telling stories that bring tears to people's eyes, playing upon their emotions, this kind of thing. Paul says, 'We don't rely upon that.' In our day it is largely a matter of going in for Christian showmanship, seeing who can put on the biggest spectacle to attract people to come in by hiring a special band or getting trapeze artists to come and put on a show. Paul says we do not rely on those kinds of things."

So, what did Paul rely on? He simply and clearly told the people the truth. He told them everything that the Bible said and aimed at the conscience of those who heard him. He wasn't trying to flatter his hearers; he wanted to convict them. He also applied those principles in his own life so that no one could call him a hypocrite. And he did it all in the sight of God; knowing that God was watching, and knowing that God approved of what he was saying and doing.

How are you handling your ministry? Are you fainting, fooling, or fulfilling?