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Satan Hinders Our Labors
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Posted by: mellie73
The Enemy Hinders Us
Satan hinders our labors
“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” I Thessalonians 2:18
Or as Phillips has it: “We have longed all the more to see you. Yes, I, Paul, have longed to come and see you more than once - but somehow Satan prevented our coming.”
This verse proves the absolute sovereignty of God. satan like all God’s creation is subject to Him, and therefore can do nothing against the will of God.
He works in our lives and he hinders us, but he does so only with the permission of God. If God had wanted Paul to go, he would have gone.
God is certainly not without power when it comes to satan. Therefore God has a purpose for allowing him to hinder our labors. Sometimes, it is to teach us some lesson that will guide us in our efforts. Sometimes it is for a “course correction”, because we have veered off course along the way.
Sometimes we simply cannot understand this. We think that when we are out, working for the Lord our way should be smooth. After all, we are doing good thing for Jesus, right? Seems He would want that and help us. That shows the fallacy of human thinking.
By his hindrances, God teaches us valuable lessons, and gets us inline with His timing. When we decide to take a stand and work for God, THAT is when he is able to teach us and guide us. That is why ALWAYS when we take a stand, satan notices and goes to work hindering us. That is why Paul made the following statement to the Ephesians:
6:10-18: “In conclusion be strong - not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God's complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil's methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ's men and women.” JBP