Victory Within Your Own Appointed Sphere

“We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.” 2 Cor. 10:13.

When people go beyond their appointed sphere, it is usually because they are entertaining hidden thoughts of self-confidence and self-love. Secretly they nurture the idea that they have been chosen for something extra special, something extraordinary. They believe their own appointed sphere is too limited. They think anyone who tries to hinder the attainment of their selfish ambition must be shoved aside and maligned. They want to travel—far away, to the land the flesh is showing them. So they gather courage to charge ahead, trusting in their own strength. But the moment they come outside their appointed sphere, God’s light and power disappear.

Paul says in verse 14, “For we are not overextending ourselves beyond our sphere (thus not reaching you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ.” (Norw.) Within our sphere we have the right to reach very far, but we have no right to go beyond our sphere. All such “overextending” has its root in the flesh and manifests itself as arrogance. For all its efforts, it never leads to victory. It only demonstrates that the person has succumbed to the fleshly ambition of trying to add a few cubits to his stature. He thinks by doing this he will be able to quickly catch up with and overtake people who have labored at a snail’s pace within their own sphere. But those who have labored within their own sphere have received power from God to put a stop to such folly. God does not permit that kind of triumph in His church. Attempting such things will always be wasted effort, even if a person’s strength and self-confidence seem ever so promising.

Let each one of us remain in the place God has appointed for us in His body. There we can patiently grow the growth of the body.

To go beyond our appointed measure and sphere will end in defeat. However, God has not appointed us to defeat, but to victory. Therefore, thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Jesus Christ.