Misunderstanding Motives

2 Corinthians 1:12-24

Today we are going to talk about misunderstandings. Misunderstandings occur when there is a dissonance between the perspectives and motives of two or more people. Secondarily, misunderstandings happen proportionate to the degree of fleshly or worldly character present vs. Spirit or godly character.

In my 35 years of ministry experience I have encountered many misunderstandings. It?s such a benign word, but when it happens and spirals out of control, misunderstandings can separate lives and blow churches apart.

It would be great if there were no misunderstandings. Some might even say ?why can?t we all just get along?? The problem is that the differences in perspectives and motives coupled with the differences in maturity make it so that misunderstandings will happen?what I think I want and what you think you want are not the same and can?t both occupy the same place at the same time.

For Paul, he came upon a pretty serious misunderstanding that threatened to blow apart his relationship with the church?and all over a travel itinerary! So even something very simple can easily blow up into something big?unless God?s Spirit intervenes, and that?s the focus of our message today in 2 Corinthians.

In a nutshell, the Corinthians felt that a change in Paul?s travel plans were a sign that he was not really an apostle and that he was not being sincere with them, but two-faced.

12 ? 14

Paul begins by declaring that his behavior towards them was both sincere and pure?led by the Spirit, not by the world or the flesh. This is in contrast to the ?false apostles? who were really in it for themselves, but cloaked the flesh with spiritual sounding words. Don?t be fooled by clever words or demeanor. Fleshly wisdom will in the end benefit the self. But Paul?s motives were to benefit them, even if it meant pain for him (and them).

Secondly, I like how diplomatically he states the problem. It?s a pretty serious thing but Paul says it?s a matter of fully understanding. Rather than being embarrassed by Paul, the Corinthians ought to take pride in him, and even in his problems, because when Jesus is revealed, the fruit of the trials will be revealed?leading to salvation, and also the fruit of the false apostles, leading to judgment.

Notice also how he says in verse thirteen that he?s not telling them anything unusual or new. Today many people claim to have a lot of new revelation about God, but if it isn?t prophesied in the Old Testament and explained in the New Testament then it isn?t true. In other words: ?If you stop and think for a minute you?ll realize the truth of what I?m saying and have been saying all along to you. This isn?t rocket science people!? He might also be encouraging them to not read between the lines but just let him explain clearly.

15 ? 18

Paul had made a surprise visit to Corinth. He had thought the problems of the past might have been solved, but it turned out not to be. Paul calls this visit ?painful? in chapter 2. He promised he would return, but canceled those plans because there were still problems going on and instead wrote a letter.

Paul?s opponents basically said that Paul?s change in plans proved he was not an apostle and not sincere. In fact, Paul wanted to spare the Corinthians another painful visit and so sailed straight to Ephesus. It was for their care that he did this.

They also accused him of being insincere and two-faced. Saying ?yes? but never intending to carry out the promise is the hallmark of a worldly-based person.

This reminds me of what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:37 But let your word \'yes\' be \'yes,\' and your \'no\' be \'no.\' Anything more than this is from the evil one.

19 ? 20

Basically Paul is saying that just as Jesus fulfilled all of God?s promises concerning the Messiah and was trustworthy in everything He did, so too are God?s faithful witnesses in himself, Timothy, and Silvanus. When Christians say ?Amen? (?so be it?) they agree that Jesus is everything. As I?ve said many times, the two reasons we exist on this earth are to give God glory (by becoming like him in thought, word, and deed) and by telling others about our Lord and Savior. Paul is saying that they are acting, not for their own glory, but for God?s glory through preaching Jesus Christ. That?s what it?s all about, not your position or your power or even your opinion about someone else?s motives.

21 ? 22

There are four important terms used in these two verses: ?confirms?, ?anointed?, ?sealed? and ?down payment.?

Confirmed is a legal term used to confirm that a sale was valid. God confirms or guarantees that anyone who belongs to Jesus will be with Him forever. Anointed comes from a Hebrew word that in English is ?Christ? or ?Messiah.? Just as kings and prophets were anointed for a task in the Old Covenant, we are anointed by God?s Spirit, ?sealed? like a brand used on an animal, that we belong to Him, and given the Spirit as a ?down payment? just like putting a coat on layaway. We belong to the Lord through Jesus Christ and God has put His Spirit into our hearts as a way of saying ?I?m coming to get you, I guarantee it!?

So I suppose in essence, Paul is reiterating to the Corinthians that to place their hope based on an outward and worldly set of expected behaviors ignores the fact that it all revolves around the gospel and acting according to the way Jesus? Spirit wants to act in us. Having a change in itinerary is not a basis to shipwreck trust in Paul and his companions as God?s official emissaries.

23 ? 24

Paul calls God as a witness because only He can know the Apostle?s inward motivations. But Paul is clear that he changed his mind about coming in order not to have to go over the same things again and again. Instead he is giving them an opportunity to get their act together and realize that they are all in this together and that no one, not Paul, certainly not the ?false apostles? controlled their faith (trust and belief in Jesus).

It?s faith in Jesus, not adherence to a worldly or fleshly model that is important. Paul is taking great care here not to offend. He wants the Corinthians to think and make a decision, not just obey as a subject to a ruler.

Conclusions 

Let?s talk about misunderstandings. We could just say, ?We all just need to trust each other.? But trust isn?t the issue here in that way. The Corinthians trusted, just the wrong source.

So how can you know who to trust?

•  Are they preaching the true gospel as the ultimate aim?
•  Are they worldly focused or Spirit focused?
•  Do they primarily want to see themselves lifted up, or God glorified?
•  Is what they are saying markedly different from what you already have received and does it square with the word of God?

I said in the beginning that misunderstandings happen when there is a dissonance between perspectives and motivations. The Corinthians wanted to be ?wowed? while Paul wanted them to be changed. The Corinthians wanted to be the focus of attention (and were hurt when Paul decided not to come) while Paul wants Jesus to be the focus of attention (His glory, His gospel, His purposes).

Knowing our perspective and motivation can help us not misunderstand another.

•  Is your heart focused on God?s glory or your own?
•  Are you willing to be changed, or just want to be fulfilled from your own wants/desires?
•  How important is the misunderstanding in the light of the gospel and of eternity? (vs 14 ? ?in the day of the Lord?)
•  People generally are trying the best they can with the cards they have been dealt so operate with love and understanding before judgment. Often we ?partially understand? (vs 13) and stop there!
•  Seek ?God given sincerity and purity? over ?fleshly wisdom? (vs 12)

A final thought ? when you plan things, do you do them in a purely ?human? way as in verse 17? Now I am not suggesting that we pray before deciding to stop at a red light. But (Proverbs 3:5-6) ?Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.? This alone might help us avoid many misunderstandings!