Faith Impediments

As humans, we often rely on seeing is believing. In an age of increasing challenges and uncertainties, this mindset has only grown stronger. However, the Bible teaches that faith is having confidence in what we cannot see—the unwavering trust that God will guide us through every situation. He is the Creator, all-powerful, and fully capable of accomplishing everything according to His will.

[Hebrews 11:1] 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

We often find it easy to have faith in some things, but when it comes to believing in what we cannot see, we struggle. The enemy  (Satan) uses this to create doubt and weaken our faith. So how do we overcome these challenges?

The Bible says that without faith, we cannot please God. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Him.  [Hebrews 11:6] 6 'And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. '

When we read and meditate Hebrews 12, God gives great insights on how we should overcome the Faith

Throwing Off: Faith Impediments

[Hebrews 12:1] 1. 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, '

• We have many examples of faith (Hebrews 11) from those who trusted God and received His promises. Faith is the key to salvation through Jesus, who gives us victory over sin. Through faith, we become God’s children, priests, and kings in His kingdom.

• But this faith has struggles as we have a goals to run after, the goal is not like a short term one, we must run this faith goal till last breath of our life.

• We look at Paul’s goals as he outlines in [Philippians 3:10-14] 10 I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

  • Know Jesus Personally “I want to know Christ”

  • Experience His resurrection power—" to know the power of his resurrection”

  • Share in His suffering – “participation in his sufferings”

  • Follow Him completely, even in death – “becoming like him in his death”

  • Receive eternal life in Him – “to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

• Each of us has a unique God-given goal. A teacher may serve by guiding children in Christ and helping the underprivileged through education. A full-time minister leads and grows the church, while a part-time minister balances work and ministry. Whatever our calling, we are to serve God faithfully.

What should we be throwing off?

[Hebrews 12:1]  ..” let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles “

• We must get rid of them like throwing out trash or tearing down an old building. Throw them off with a brute force to make that comes out and never there. That’s the attitude the Hebrews instructs us to throw off.

What are the things we should throw off that weaken our faith ?

1.  Worries?  We have to cast the worries and anxiety of us to give to Jesus, The word says we cannot increase a single second by worrying, but when we cast the worry and anxiety to Jesus, he is faith full to take on him and get us victory to make us victorious and increase our faith in him as it states  [1 Peter 5:7] 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2.  Doubt / Unfaithful things ? Trust in Jesus, He will never leave nor forsake any one who trusts him. [Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV] 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

3.  Pride ? Throw the pride that comes to say I am better than the other, I am rich and I hold more than the other etc.. God opposes the proud (James 4:6), if you want to boast boast of God’s work [Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV] 23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

4.   Sins ? The word says  “sin that so easily entangles to” ? we commonly trip in our day to day walks in this world.

Anger 

[Hebrews 12:14] 'Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. '

• We must be Holy.  without holiness this race cannot be run, There will be constant challenges to wade this holiness. its primarily disrupted with anger and fight with fellow humans.

• There will be constant challenge to take this peace of God with troubles of World.

• The anger is a big weapon that’s used to wade off holiness as we are entrapped in sin.[Ephesians 4:26] “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

• So, God’s advice is to let this anger die down before the day is ending. Pray earnestly-, father forgive me of this anger and make these die down so that it does not have a hold in my holiness and not destroy the faith in you.

Bitterness

[Hebrews 12:15] 'See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. '

• This anger turns to bitterness, and it takes away the Grace that God has given to us.

• Satan produces this bitterness in us. It’s a poison that’s in the heart, it’s bitter in taste. It comes from the sins of Gomorrah

  • [Proverbs 14:10] Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

  • [Deuteronomy 32:32] Their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are filled with poison, and their clusters with bitterness.

• Bitterness is a sin that  destroy us. Pray to God as Paul suggests throwing off this bitterness – [Ephesians 4:31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

• Pray to God, saying Father I am unable to get this bitterness against this person, help me like how you have been merciful in my sinful days to show love, forgive this person and remove this bitterness against this person. God is faithful to remove this from you.

Perseverance: Faith Impediments

[Hebrews 12:1] 1. …And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, '

• Once your faith in him is strengthened and made complete in Him. We are made to run this race with perseverance, knowing Jesus will take care of all what I need, I need not be discouraged.

• Perseverance is key—like a marathon runner, we need determination, passion, and endurance to keep going.

• This perseverance leads us to make us overcomers in Christ to receive the crown of his gifts from him.

  • [James 1:12 ] 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

  • [Revelation 14:12] 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

• Everyone faces low moments, but perseverance keeps us moving forward with Christ. Every prophet and servant of God went through struggles before being strengthened by Him.

• Our God is a Renewer—just as He strengthened Elijah to walk 40 days and nights with a single meal when he was fleeing from Jezebel, He will strengthen us to keep going in faith.  [1 Kings 19:3-8 NIV] 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

• So, endure the struggle with perseverance. As the Word says the struggle is only for short time and we are not tested beyond what we can bear 1 Corinthians 10:13

Say a simple prayer, asking God to restore your faith and help you overcome weakness. God is a renewer—if one meal gave strength for 40 days for Elijah, He can renew you too. He is the same God of Elijah. Pray with a sincere heart: “Father, forgive my doubt and wash away my sin.” God is always ready to forgive, restore, and strengthen you, He wants no one to perish.