The title of today’s devotional will probably peek some interest. Satanic hindrances are real, and we know that from Paul’s writings. We may have experienced some ourselves. Yet, we need to be careful not to blame everything that does not happen the way we think it should on Satan. God may hinder us from some things because He knows how things will affect our walk with Him. We may hinder ourselves because we are selfish, self-serving, or just lazy. If you study scripture and your own motives for doing what you do, you should be able to identify if it is Satan, God, or you that is preventing you from a specific task.
In I Thessalonians 2:17, Paul speaks of being taken from them. Paul longed to be with them but was hindered. In I Thessalonians 1:1-3 we see that “Paul, and Silas, and Timothy,” giving a greeting to the church at Thessalonica. “unto the church of the Thessalonians, Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
Words could not convey the feelings that Paul had for them. The more they were apart, the more Paul longed to see them. In verse 17, he tells them that when he left, he thought it would be for a short time. He never intended to win them to Jesus and leave them without help to push forward and win others also. His heart and mind were constantly concerned for their stability and growth. When we are left alone to do a task without someone to encourage and guide us, we often fail. Without proper guidance and love, most will quit and return to when things were easy. Paul was determined to encourage and instruct, but in verse 18, he notes that Satan hindered them. We are not told exactly what was going on in the church at Thessalonica. However, when Paul and Silas could not go, they sent Timothy. Paul was determined to check on them and send them help.
I Thessalonians 2:17-18 “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”
Scripture does not make it clear why Paul felt it was Satan preventing them from going, but he had walked with God long enough to be able to discern the power of Satan as opposed to the hand of God. It may have been because Paul knew that babes in Christ are prey to the wilds of the devil. It may have been that he felt there may have been strife among the brethren. This is common when there is no mature Christian to take the reins. Unity creates strength, and strife weakens the body. Any division in the church takes the focus off of God and puts it on ourselves. This is a tactic Satan has used often. When we work together looking at Jesus, our bond is stronger. It is all for Him, but when we work together but focus on the situations around us, we become jealous or contentious because our focus is on what we are doing, not the one we are doing it for.
There may be times when God hinders us from doing certain things. Paul speaks about that in Acts 16:7: “After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit permitted them not.” When this happened, they were instructed to preach in Troas. God had another field that was ripe. Sometimes, it is hard to know exactly what to do, but if we seek the Lord and determine we will follow, He will lead.
If you are not progressing in your walk with the Lord and making a difference in others’ lives, you may be your own worst enemy. We are all made up of flesh and bones. The easiest thing to do is to take the path of least resistance. When we give in to how we feel, make excuses because it is easier to take a nap rather than study or pray, or go on a pity party because we do not see the progress in the lives of others, we are allowing the flesh to rule. We can blame these feelings on Satan, but in some situations, that is a cop-out answer because we have a sinful nature. It is blame-shifting at its best. We blame others or Satan, but we are not using the power that is within us to make Him flee. It is just easier to blame him and stay where we are.
What will you do about the hindrances that plague you? Will you be creative and use your time wisely? Sitting in a hospital or on a break at work, you can read a passage or take the time to text an encouraging note to someone. You can make conversation with the person in front of you at the grocery store. You can crawl out of bed 30 minutes earlier than usual and spend the time with God. Ask Him for direction and wisdom to witness for Him today. If you listen to yourself, you will give in and do nothing, but if you listen to God’s word and obey, you will succeed, and Satan has no power over you. If you are hindered in what you believe God wants you to do, keep pushing forward and find another way to do what He wants you to do. Hindrances will come from all angles of life but it is what we do with them that makes an eternal difference.
