Hindrances to a Relationship with Jesus
There is only one thing that hinders a person’s relationship with Jesus, their own choices. The hindrance is one’s own choices and decisions which lead one away from intimacy with Jesus. In particular 3 groups try to get us to choose things that lead us away from God and the life He gives: Satan/Demons, the World, and the Flesh (Ephesians 2:2-3, James 4:7, 1 John 2:16-17, Galatians 5:16, John 10:10). Because of the Lord’s grace we have a relationship with Him and full access to Him by the blood of Jesus, even when we commit a sin (wow!). There are situations and things in life that can make it feel difficult to have a relationship with Jesus. These situations cannot hinder the person from having a close relationship with Him. (Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 2:8-9, James 1:7, 4-8, Mark 4:16-19, 1 John 2:16). All hindrances of relationship with Jesus are at their base sin (not being in God’s will), but to help the reader some categories of hindrances are given:
Unrepented sins: when we know that we are not in God’s will in our thoughts or actions and we do not acknowledge it as wrong or do not want to change (1 John 1:9, Acts 17:30)
Unforgiveness: when we willing choose to not to cancel a debt or choose to be angry/bitter with someone (Matthew 5:22, 6:15)
Unidentified lies: when we do not believe a certain truth with our whole being (John 8:31-32, Colossians 2:8)
Unbroken sins/curses: Curses spoken over you or that you speak over yourself (you are ___, where ____ is something that Jesus does not think of you). Could also be generational sins/curses which get passed down via family lines (Exodus 20:5–6, 34:6–7)
Unhealed hurts: when a past wrong or damage has harmed our being and has not been healed. This can include trauma or rejection (Matthew 13:15, Psalm 147:3)
Unsurrendered areas: when we try to retain control over sections of our lives (Matthew 7:21, 16:24)
Fixing these areas will also help you in your relationship with other people too! Addressing any of the hindrances above is quite simple and not at all complicated! The blood of Jesus covers all those areas! He is faithful to complete the work He started in you, He will do it. Also, being transparent with others and being prayed for is powerful! As you grow in intimacy with Jesus and understand more of who you are, sin will become less. Jesus gave us the potential to never sin again! (Revelation 12:11, 1 John 1:5-10, 3:6-9, Matthew 6:15, 1 Peter 2:24, Galatians 3:13-14, Philippians 1:6, 2:13, James 5:16, Proverbs 28:13, Hebrews 10:26).
Application
Individual: Ask Jesus to bring to mind an area of your life where you are not in alignment with His will. Then ask Him what needs to be done in that area of your life. Often it is to replace a lie with the truth and to trust that He will deal with that particular area!
Group: There is a lot of healing & freedom that can come from being open with others. With a group of people you trust:
as a group, ask the Holy Spirit what needs to be brought into the open for an individual.
Share anything that is revealed for that individual and pray for them