SOME MAJOR HINDRANCES TO MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE EMPOWERMENT (CONTD)
3. WORLDLY LIVING & CARNALITY
You cannot be filled with the Spirit and be filled with the world at the same time (Check Ephesians 5:18).
▪︎ Apostle Paul said that the flesh fights against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17) “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”
▪︎ He also says in Romans 8:7-8 “The carnal mind is enmity against God”
▪︎ Imagine two people fighting to drive one car.
▪︎ Carnality means a strong focus on the physical needs, desires, and passions of the body rather than on spiritual things.
▪︎ The Corinthians had gifts but were carnal, so the power was limited (See 1Corinthians 3:1-3).
▪︎ The remedy is to walk in the Spirit daily (Galatians 5:16).
4. DISOBEDIENCE
Disobedience blocks the flow of the Spirit.
▪︎ To obey is better than sacrifice (1Samuel 15:22)
▪︎ Partial obedience is still disobedience. Saul lost the kingdom because of partial obedience (1 Samuel 15:1-3,9,14-15,22-23)
▪︎ When you disobey God either totally or partially, power waits.
▪︎ The remedy is prompt obedience, even in small things.
5: FEAR AND INTIMIDATION
Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith cannot operate where fear exists, and vice versa.
▪︎ Fear is a spirit that prevents you from stepping out in power. It shuts the mouth and paralyzes the hand. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
▪︎ The 10 spies saw giants and their hearts melted (Numbers 13:32-33). Compare verse 30.
▪︎To Intimidate means to frighten or threaten someone, usually to make them feel nervous, lose their confidence, or do something they do not want to do. It makes a chistian to chicken out where courage is required. Like in the case of the 10 spies.
▪︎ The remedy is to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10). Speak the Word of faith in confidence: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
6: LACK OF PRAYER AND TARRYING
This makes us try to operate in our own strength.
Acts 4:31 says: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
▪︎ Jesus Christ told His disciples in Luke 24:49: “…tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high.”
▪︎ To tarry is to stay somewhere longer than expected or to delay leaving. We must learn to tarry in God’s presence(in prayer).
▪︎ A prayerless christian lives as a powerless person.
▪︎ The remedy is to devote yourself to prayer and the Word (Acts 6:4).
7: WRONG MOTIVE AND PRIDE
Power is for God’s glory, not ours.
▪︎ If the motive for wanting power to manifest is wrong, it will not.
▪︎ Simon the sorcerer wanted power for fame and money (Acts 8:18-21).
▪︎ Wrong motives can hinder prayers from being answered. James 4:3 says: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss.”
▪︎ The remedy is to seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Share a time when you felt the power of God was blocked. What would you say was the cause?
2. How can we create an atmosphere in our home where the Spirit/Power can manifest freely?
CONCLUSION
As christians with the Holy Spirit in us, we carry divine power, which is meant to help us fulfil the purpose of God for our lives. However, we must be mindful of these hindrances, so that we can operate in the full capacity of the power we carry. May God help us so to do in Jesus’ name.
PRAYERS
1. Father, forgive me of every sin that has grieved Your Spirit.
2. Lord, break every spirit of fear, doubt and pride in my life.
3. Holy Spirit, I surrender to You. Empower me afresh for my assignment.
4. Let every power holding back my manifestation be destroyed in Jesus’ name.
FINAL DECLARATION
“Holy Spirit, I repent of every hindrance; Today, I choose to walk in obedience; Fill me afresh; Let Your power manifest in my life, for divine fulfillment in Jesus name.”