2 Corinthians 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me:

Tactics in a military campaign only means that if what you are doing doesn’t work, try something else. You know what the end goal is to be accomplished and if the enemy isn’t responding, find something that will work.

Perhaps it would be helpful to understand what Paul meant by glorying. In the opening verses of chapter twelve Paul makes reference to an experience that is unique. Not many, if any, can relate to this experience. He even plays it off by saying, “I knew a man”, verse 2. I am sure Paul is talking about himself, but for the sake of his audience, he gives credit to a character of unknown qualifications.

“One caught up into the third heaven” Paul continues. In verse 5 Paul says “Of such an one will I glory”. Even though this is Paul’s second letter to the people of Corinth, they are still not ready to hear and receive a deeper truth about Christ abilities to will and do above what man can imagine. Seeing is believing. They compelled Paul by not growing in faith and not being ready to receive the deeper things of God.

Verse 10, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul found it necessary to be less than all he is in Christ for Christ’s sake. These were believers in Christ, members of the body of Christ. Paul had to change tactics in presenting all the possibilities which are in Christ and available to them, because they were not yet mature enough to move on to greater things.

I call this knowing your audience. As I fellowship with members of the body I gain confidence in who you are in Christ. If you have a level of maturity which can receive deeper things, we can share in the glory which is Christ in us. If not, I have to hold back. Not because you are unworthy, but because you are not ready.

Being a fool for Christ is OK, if that is what it takes.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. AMP

Here is where today’s title comes into play. This verse is sandwiched between 6:23 and 6:25 and is the meat of the sandwich, but 23 and 25 are the bread, without them, no sandwich.

A quick summary of verse 23 is that the eye is the window to your world. What you look at gets into you, is recorded in memory, has influence. This happens whether you are aware of it or not. While it speaks of an evil eye, one must remember that the eye itself does not chose what to look at, it takes in wherever it is aimed. The issue of visual is powerful because it has unrestricted access to the mind.

Verse 24 speaks directly to anxiety. Worry and concern are forms of anxiety. It is in fact trust wavered. Trust is a faith issue, as it relates to God’s promises. We have not seen all of God’s promises, we have to trust God for them. Once again verse 25 speaks to and is related to worldly things; food, drink, clothes and by extension the necessities of life, necessities not desires.

Now the eye of 23 takes in all things, necessities and non-essentials both. It has no filter, it is unrestricted access except as is directed by the feet that took those eyes to that point of observation. Most of us understand the harsh realities. The news brings us the events which stir our emotions, right or wrong, it happens. Disasters and tragedies abound if it bleeds it leads. In some of us we have bad news filters that help us cope. In others we have to take a break from the news to quiet or minds and restore peace. Those are the obvious visual stimulants.

The more subtle and destructive stimulants are the ones that are pleasing to the eye. Those stimulate desire and covetousness. They eat ate the anchors of trust without notice. They are nibbles whereas disasters are explosions. Window shop without saying “I like that.” You do not have to say “I want that.” The subtle input has been implanted upon the brain.

In the middle between the eye and the anxiety is service. Who do you serve? Say God but that car dealership is betting you want that newer model and they are spending money on commercials to entice you into upgrading your 3 year old car that isn’t yet paid off. That is calm in comparison to some of the more dangerous visual stimulations floating around the internet.

Want to know why texting is so popular and dangerous. It’s visual.