Proverbs 6:16–19 AMP
"[16] ¶These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: [17]
A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount
others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, [Ps 120:2, 3] [18] A
heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil, [19] A false
witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord
(rumors) among brothers."
If we are to devote our time in church, then let’s make sure our works will not
be found questionable and wanting on the Day of Judgment.
Else, what a beautiful waste it would be: having served diligently in the eyes
of men, only to be found graceless on Judgment Day. Only such a person and
his Creator would know he was carrying out eye service all along.
Some people are so passionate about acting like principalities in the house of
God. Without them, nothing must happen. They stand in the way like
blockades and oppose the growth of others, yet put so much passion into their
works.
This is also known as the hindering ministry.
Apostle Paul was an ambassador of encumbrance. Before his conversion, he
thought he was doing the right thing—keeping God’s reputation free of
blasphemers. He felt binding the apostles and clipping their wings was
helping God. He passionately and diligently carried out the ministry of
hindrance until the Lord Himself appeared to him.
“Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You think you are protecting God, but you
hurt God when you hurt Me, and you hurt Me when you hurt My disciples whom
I love. Stop!”
Saul was struck blind, and his new sight also came with clarity.
Hindering spirits oppress people by instigating the hearts of men against
others. They blind these individuals with hate and envy. They create
misunderstandings by sowing discord. They formulate war and strife—even
the illusion of it. Some people go to war with others who aren’t even aware of
their presence or absence. They shoot arrows at them, but God’s Word clearly
states:
He who digs a pit for his neighbor shall surely fall into it.
Isaiah 1:11–17 MSG
[11–12] “Why this frenzy of sacrifices?” God’s asking. “Don’t you think I’ve had
My fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don’t you think I’ve
had My fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before Me,
whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, running here and there, doing this
and that—all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
[13–17] “Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games:
monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings,
meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate
them! You’ve worn Me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you
go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer performance, I’ll be
looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be
listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces,
and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep
your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.”
So one may attend all the conferences there are and pray in all the prayer
meetings, but if such a person has an agenda against other brethren, the
prayers of such an individual would wear God out.
God delights in justice, fairness, and equity. He never turns a blind eye.
God’s kingdom is open to all who are willing to enter. He never allows people
who twist this truth to stand for long.
You don’t buy salvation with money or by convicting others.
Judge not, so that you will not be judged; for if you judge, you will also be
judged. Still, we are all candidates of God’s mercy and grace.
God is calling you to repentance. Serve diligently and look away from other
people’s affairs.
Blocking people’s growth is demonic. God planted them there to serve. We are
instruments of worship and sanctification, not of the devil.
The moment an individual makes an attempt to chase another out of devotion
using all the rightful laws, he is a child of Satan, because he is doing the
bidding of his father—the devil.
Repent! It is God who gives true power and authority. Do not use the honor
granted to you by man to destabilize communal growth.
Selfishness, myopic perspective, and hate are the underlying factors behind
why people hinder one another.
Submit yourself to God’s plans and pursuit for His kingdom.
In Christendom, the greatest are the servants of all. The greatest are the
ladders of others to success. They are moving signposts, directing others to
victory. And here is the mystery: he who makes great men is the greatest of
all.
Some others are a hindrance to themselves. They are filled with fearful
thoughts—always expecting the worst, never hoping for the best. Their minds
are programmed toward doom, and when a blessing is knocking at the door,
they calculate all the possible things that could go wrong.
For the new creation, the only person who can hinder him is himself. No man,
no woman, no boy, no girl can stand successfully against him. They may try,
but they will fail woefully.
So the devil manipulates the minds of such untouchable individuals so that
they imbibe their own hindrance.
When God commanded Samuel to go and anoint David, David surely heard
that the prophet of God was coming to his home, but he thought to himself,
“Oh, he’s probably coming for my brothers who fight for the king. Why bother
going? No one is going to notice my absence anyway. I don’t mind missing out
on the view; I’ll just keep attending to the business my father handed me. I’ll
feed the lambs.”
He stayed back, obstructing the design of heaven.
Then Samuel came and saw the firstborn and said, “Surely, this is he whom I
have come for…” But the Lord said no.
The Lord allowed him to go through everyone and still said no. He didn’t even
tell Samuel he was there for the youngest. Then Samuel asked, “Is there any
other?”
And Jesse responded, “There is the youngest, out attending to the sheep.”
The Lord said, “We will wait.”
Samuel knew too well that the Lord would ask him to return if he left.
So they sent for David. And when Samuel saw him, he thought:
“What is so special about this ruddy lad? He is just tall, good-looking… well, I
will anoint him anyway.” But the Lord corrected him:
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart. David
has a good heart. He cannot hate or rebel; he is faithful in the little tasks
entrusted to him. He keeps to himself and always has time for Me,
instead of constantly trying to be seen or noticed. He is intimidating but
not proud; he is young and valuable to Me. There is so much I can do
with him. He has great potential that may never meet the eye.”
Hence, David was anointed, and from that day, the Spirit of God came upon
him.
David was sometimes a stumbling block to himself, but he also knew how to
rely on God’s mercy. God planned to make his dynasty everlasting, but he
hindered aspects of it because of covetousness. Yet, the Lord was ever patient
with him.
David hindered Israel when he asked for a census, and he also hindered the
angel of death from further striking his people.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall not hinder ourselves nor the
children of God. No delay on our parts, no occasion of stumbling in our
paths.
May the wisdom of Christ cause us to excel far above every ordinance. Amen.
God bless you. Peace.
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