Spiritual Hindrances
Spiritual Hindrances
by RevDennis on Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:25 pm
Spiritual Hindrances
Rev. Dennis Fender
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26) The allurement of the world behind her prevented Lot's wife from escaping the judgement pronounced upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Is the allurement of the past life holding our attention to the point, we are not making spiritual progress? What is behind us, that could possibly be more important, than what God promises for our future? In Luke chapter 9, verses 59-62; we find the Lord himself rebuking (teaching), through two great examples. Jesus said, "Follow Me." Yet, the first man wanted to go home and bury his father, the second wanted to go home and bid farewell to his family. Although, these are seemingly important issues, Jesus points out, there is nothing more important as following Him! I ask you to define for yourself, the term, NOTHING! Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." In Philippians 3:7-9; Paul says, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
We see how Lots' wife thought of the home left behind, and the two men thinking of their families, and their welfare, yet not considering the consequences; of placing possessions, and even family before God. Family, immediate and extended, will not always share in your faith! They may not rejoice with you in victory, nor share your burdens! They may not be willing to intercede on your behalf, or even want you to pray for them. They might even scoff and ridicule you, making fun of your belief in God. I am reminded of a song that says, "Tho none go with me, yet I will follow. No turning back, no turning back." Jesus says in Mathew 13:57, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house." Mathew points out in verse 58, "And he did not many works there because of their unbelief." The point made, is "their" unbelief. The bible tells us we will not always be received. In fact; we will be persecuted, and mocked because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
As Paul told Timothy, I say to us, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." When the nay-sayers, doubters, and unbelievers; mock and ridicule, stand firm! Respond with a joyful, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day!" Let the word of God speak to the spirit of rebellion. I assure you, He knows how to get their attention! In doing so, we invite God to open avenues of approach, for our testimony, and witness for Christ; while the Holy Spirit convicts.
Having seen; how the allurement of worldly possessions, and people, both friends and family, can have an effect on our spiritual growth, let us for a moment look at ourselves. Romans 12:1b says,"let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,". What is "weight"? Ever feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? The pressure of responsibility is not weight! What extra baggage we carry, what burdens we bear! Why-Why is it so hard for us to just bring our burdens to the Lord and leave them there? Sometimes it's because of doubt and unbelief, other times it's simply because we are not strong enough, in and of ourselves, to do it! Remember, this is a spiritual battle; waged against our own flesh, our own will, and our own emotions! Did you notice the word "own", as in "ownership"? But do we really want to be in possession of "burdens"? Why would anyone want a ball and chain on their ankle? How long does it take to let go of the leash when the dog decides he will no longer walk with you? The most prominent burden that comes to mind, is unforgiveness. Have you noticed a person's facial expression change when someone, or something, from the past is brought up? Granted, we have not the devine ability to forget, but by the grace of God, we can let go! Not only, LET GO, LET GOD!!! Allow God to exchange beauty for ashes, peace for pain, and joy for bitterness. He's waiting for our invitation!
He's also waiting for us to stop sinning! To stop acting as if there is no consequence for our actions. The world has diluted the Holy Word of God to the point, that even born-again christians don't believe God means what He said! The bible says God is the same, yesterday, today, and forevermore. What He called sin, is still sin, and will be sin tomorrow! Today, denominational doctrines have discarded the truth. In essence, they say, if it feels good do it-because we do not believe God cares anymore, we don't believe God is keeping record anymore, and we do not believe God is the FINAL AUTHORITY! BUT, the Word, of the True and Living God, the Most High God, Jehovah God Almighty, IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY! It was the truth when it was given, it is true today, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself says, "this word shall not pass away until every jot and tittle be fulfilled." The bible itself, tells us it will opened on the day of judgement, and through the words contained in it, by a Holy and Righteous God, the world be judged! If we continue to ignore the TRUTH of the word of God, we will harden our heart. Just as hardening of the arteries in the physical, leads to physical death; hardening of the heart, leads to spiritual death. Look at the whipping post in Pilots' courtyard, consider the BRUISES, the WOUNDS, and the STRIPES! Look at the cross of Calvary, where Christ gave his life a ransom for us! Where Christ bore the sins of the world, yours and mine! Where rivers of mercy flowed down, the blood of the Lamb of God; redeeming us from the wrath of God!
Take some time and go to 2 Timothy and read chapter 1. Commit unto God all that is not pleasing in his sight. Have it washed in the blood that cleanseth every stain, and watch what God gives you in return. Peace, that passeth all understanding, and joy, unspeakable-full of glory!
Beloved, this subject is very vast, and could take up many articles to expound upon all the aspects of spiritual hindrances. The importance of recognizing and dealing with hindrances, is this. God desires to have a relationship with us that is pure and unhindered! There is no darkness in God, and there shouldn't be in us either. But, during the course of life, we humans push things way down into a deep, dark place inside ourselves. A place we don't visit, nor even want to think about. Yet, there are some things we don't put way down in there, some things we keep out so we can play with them. Proverbs 20:27 says, "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly." Let's ask God to turn the light on so we can enjoy the relationship he so desires with us!
I leave you with Philippians 3:13-14. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Tho none go with me, yet I will follow; No turning back-No turning back! AMEN.
Rev. Dennis Fender
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26) The allurement of the world behind her prevented Lot's wife from escaping the judgement pronounced upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Is the allurement of the past life holding our attention to the point, we are not making spiritual progress? What is behind us, that could possibly be more important, than what God promises for our future? In Luke chapter 9, verses 59-62; we find the Lord himself rebuking (teaching), through two great examples. Jesus said, "Follow Me." Yet, the first man wanted to go home and bury his father, the second wanted to go home and bid farewell to his family. Although, these are seemingly important issues, Jesus points out, there is nothing more important as following Him! I ask you to define for yourself, the term, NOTHING! Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." In Philippians 3:7-9; Paul says, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
We see how Lots' wife thought of the home left behind, and the two men thinking of their families, and their welfare, yet not considering the consequences; of placing possessions, and even family before God. Family, immediate and extended, will not always share in your faith! They may not rejoice with you in victory, nor share your burdens! They may not be willing to intercede on your behalf, or even want you to pray for them. They might even scoff and ridicule you, making fun of your belief in God. I am reminded of a song that says, "Tho none go with me, yet I will follow. No turning back, no turning back." Jesus says in Mathew 13:57, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house." Mathew points out in verse 58, "And he did not many works there because of their unbelief." The point made, is "their" unbelief. The bible tells us we will not always be received. In fact; we will be persecuted, and mocked because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
As Paul told Timothy, I say to us, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." When the nay-sayers, doubters, and unbelievers; mock and ridicule, stand firm! Respond with a joyful, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day!" Let the word of God speak to the spirit of rebellion. I assure you, He knows how to get their attention! In doing so, we invite God to open avenues of approach, for our testimony, and witness for Christ; while the Holy Spirit convicts.
Having seen; how the allurement of worldly possessions, and people, both friends and family, can have an effect on our spiritual growth, let us for a moment look at ourselves. Romans 12:1b says,"let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,". What is "weight"? Ever feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? The pressure of responsibility is not weight! What extra baggage we carry, what burdens we bear! Why-Why is it so hard for us to just bring our burdens to the Lord and leave them there? Sometimes it's because of doubt and unbelief, other times it's simply because we are not strong enough, in and of ourselves, to do it! Remember, this is a spiritual battle; waged against our own flesh, our own will, and our own emotions! Did you notice the word "own", as in "ownership"? But do we really want to be in possession of "burdens"? Why would anyone want a ball and chain on their ankle? How long does it take to let go of the leash when the dog decides he will no longer walk with you? The most prominent burden that comes to mind, is unforgiveness. Have you noticed a person's facial expression change when someone, or something, from the past is brought up? Granted, we have not the devine ability to forget, but by the grace of God, we can let go! Not only, LET GO, LET GOD!!! Allow God to exchange beauty for ashes, peace for pain, and joy for bitterness. He's waiting for our invitation!
He's also waiting for us to stop sinning! To stop acting as if there is no consequence for our actions. The world has diluted the Holy Word of God to the point, that even born-again christians don't believe God means what He said! The bible says God is the same, yesterday, today, and forevermore. What He called sin, is still sin, and will be sin tomorrow! Today, denominational doctrines have discarded the truth. In essence, they say, if it feels good do it-because we do not believe God cares anymore, we don't believe God is keeping record anymore, and we do not believe God is the FINAL AUTHORITY! BUT, the Word, of the True and Living God, the Most High God, Jehovah God Almighty, IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY! It was the truth when it was given, it is true today, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself says, "this word shall not pass away until every jot and tittle be fulfilled." The bible itself, tells us it will opened on the day of judgement, and through the words contained in it, by a Holy and Righteous God, the world be judged! If we continue to ignore the TRUTH of the word of God, we will harden our heart. Just as hardening of the arteries in the physical, leads to physical death; hardening of the heart, leads to spiritual death. Look at the whipping post in Pilots' courtyard, consider the BRUISES, the WOUNDS, and the STRIPES! Look at the cross of Calvary, where Christ gave his life a ransom for us! Where Christ bore the sins of the world, yours and mine! Where rivers of mercy flowed down, the blood of the Lamb of God; redeeming us from the wrath of God!
Take some time and go to 2 Timothy and read chapter 1. Commit unto God all that is not pleasing in his sight. Have it washed in the blood that cleanseth every stain, and watch what God gives you in return. Peace, that passeth all understanding, and joy, unspeakable-full of glory!
Beloved, this subject is very vast, and could take up many articles to expound upon all the aspects of spiritual hindrances. The importance of recognizing and dealing with hindrances, is this. God desires to have a relationship with us that is pure and unhindered! There is no darkness in God, and there shouldn't be in us either. But, during the course of life, we humans push things way down into a deep, dark place inside ourselves. A place we don't visit, nor even want to think about. Yet, there are some things we don't put way down in there, some things we keep out so we can play with them. Proverbs 20:27 says, "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly." Let's ask God to turn the light on so we can enjoy the relationship he so desires with us!
I leave you with Philippians 3:13-14. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Tho none go with me, yet I will follow; No turning back-No turning back! AMEN.
RevDennis- Posts: 3
Join date: 2009-06-16
Age: 54
Location: Havre de Grace, Md 
Permissions of this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum