Are you in a place where you feel like the Lord is not working in your life? Do feel like there is a distance that you cannot explain. Well, there could be a reason that lies with you. Something in your life that is hindering the spirit working in your life.

4 Hindrances to the Spirit Working in Our Lives

Willful Sin.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression. - Psalm 19: 13

When we choose to put ourselves out of God’s will, we are willfully sinning. We are willfully putting ourselves OUT of His safety and protection.

Our God is a jealous God. He wants NOTHING to be before Him. It will only hinder what He wants to do for us and in us. It will only keep us away from His presence. It will hinder the Holy Spirit from working in our lives.

Ref. Psalm 86:11, Ezek 11:19

Pride.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall - Proverbs 16:18

We need to be very careful how highly we esteem ourselves. We are but dust. Sure, we should know who we are in Christ. However, we must NEVER forget WHOSE we are and without whom we would be NOTHING!

We also need to be careful how we look upon others. Do we judge? Do we look down on those who are not as spiritually “fit” as we THINK we are? Who are we to judge any man? God is judge and God ONLY. God knows ALL…NOT us. He knows the heart of man. We only know what we see. So, we better be VERY careful.

Re. Proverbs 6:16-20, James 4:6-10, Luke 18:14

Fear.

He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. – Genesis 3:10

Many times we are afraid of God. We do not trust Him. Wounds from the past build mistrust in our lives for authority or towards God. We should never be afraid of God. He loves us like NO OTHER person EVER could. He wants nothing but the best for us and He longs for a close and personal relationship with us. We should come boldly before Him. He WANTS us to.

We should not be afraid of what He has planned for us either. Sure, it make take us out of our comfort zone. However, the path that Daddy God has for us will always be a better one than we can plot out! Seriously!

Ref. Genesis 26:24, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:35-39

Unforgiveness.

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in Heaven may also forgive you your own failings and shortcomings and let them drop. - Mark 11:25

This is a big one. We MUST forgive. NOTHING is too big to forgive and no one can tell me that there is. I have been through a lot in my life and have suffered horrible wrongs from a very early age. I know that no matter what though I am to forgive. What makes another’s sin greater than mine?

Jesus suffered on the same cross for me and the biggest sinner I can imagine. Who are we to presume that WE are better or should withhold forgiveness??

We must be very careful. God’s Word is clear. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. Period.

Note: We did a two part study on forgiveness awhile back that really covers the topic of forgiveness from several aspects.

http://momsoffaith.com/2009/04/forgiveness-part-1/
http://momsoffaith.com/2009/04/forgiveness-part-2/

Ref. Ephesians 4:26, Hebrews 12:14-15

Well, as you can see, there are areas in our lives that can hinder the holy spirit really working the way God wants to in our lives. We should take a spiritual inventory of our lives and get on track with the Lord so that we can live to our fullest potential in Him!

Remember, ladies, God is the ultimate parent. He wants to do nothing more than bless us. However, if we are “naughty,” and living disobediently, He cannot bless us the way He wants to. We need to live obedient lives if we want the fullness of His promises and purpose for our lives.

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, I love You. You are an awesome, mighty, loving, forgiving, kind and merciful God. I am in awe of You and Your greatness. Thank You for loving me and caring for every part of me. Thank You for Your Word and the Life that it gives. Thank You for the many blessings in my life. Thank You for wanting the best for my life. Lord, help me to get my life lined up with Your Word. Help me to remove sin from my life. Help me to overcome the areas of sin in my life that are hindering me from the fullness You have for me. Help me to remove pride, fear and judgementalism from my life. Help me to forgive others no matter the wrong. Help me to see others the way You do. Thank You, Daddy. Thank You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

For Further Study and Application

Dig Deeper

The first thing you need to do this week is take a spiritual inventory using the four things listed above. Do a self check…and HONEST self check. If you feel nothing is wrong in your life, perhaps pride is the issue.

Scripture Study

Next, study the Scripture references from this devotional to help you gain a better understanding of the Word. You may also want to search for more!

Here are the reference verses:

• Genesis 26:24
• Psalm 86:11
• Proverbs 6:16-20
• Ezek 11:19
• Luke 18:14
• Ephesians 4:26
• Hebrews 4:16
• Hebrews 10:35-39
• Hebrews 12:14-15
• James 4:6-10

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

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