03-09-2025 Things that Hinder Our Faith

Text: Galatians 5:7-18

                              Unfortunately, there are many things that happen in our day-to-day life that get in the way of our faith.  We get busy and forget to take the time to devote to prayer and Bible study, problems come up that cause us to question our faith, or we simply just get lazy in practicing it the way we should.  Paul teaches us a great lesson about this in Galatians 5:7-18 where he writes:  “(7)You did not run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?  (8)This persuasion comes not of Him Who call you.  (9)A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  (10)I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded, but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.  (11)And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?  Then is the offence of the Cross ceased.  (12)I would they were even cut off which trouble you.  (13)For brethren, you have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  (14)For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  (15)But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed of one of another.  (16)This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  (17)For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to the one of the other so that you cannot do the things that you would.  (18)But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 

                   Paul is writing to the Galatian Church because he was concerned about how their faith had declined.  Earlier in chapter 4 the letter, he reminds them of some of their former blessings that included their first contact with the Gospel (verse 13), their receiving and care of Paul when he was sick (verse 14), their love for Paul (verse 15), and their acceptance and obedience to the truth of Jesus Christ in chapter 3, verse 1. 

                   But now in verse 7 of our text, he is telling them that that they ‘did run well.’  There are very sad words because they’re a reminder of their past blessings and present failures.  So, let’s look at what had crept into the lives of the Galatians that caused their faith to decline.

                   Paul starts his letter with a tender greeting to people he cared about.  He confirms his calling, sends grace and peace to them, confirms the truth of the Gospel and gives glory to both God for offering His Son for our salvation, and to Jesus for His willingness to carry out God’s will.  But false teachers had come to confuse the Galatians.  These teachers weren’t concerned with reaching the lost but instead preyed on those already trusting in Jesus as their Savior.  This is still happening today.  They are the ones who tell us that it’s not necessary to accept Jesus because if God is a God of love He won’t let anyone go to hell.  My friend, God doesn’t ‘let’ anyone go to Hell.  They make that choice on their own.

                   Paul tells us that those who preach anything but salvation through Jesus Christ pervert the Gospel and will be cursed by God.  And they will be eternally condemned.  False teaching includes a mixture of Jewish law and grace for salvation making it easier for them to cause believers to question their faith.  But Paul refutes the false teachings in chapter 2:16 where he confirms that justification comes only by faith in Jesus and not by the works of the Law.  Those who are taken in by false teaching will become critical of others and stop looking for the good in them seeing only their faults.  This causes division and hatred to develop among believers which is contrary to Jesus’ message of discipleship and loving others as we love ourselves.  Paul tells us in verse 9 using leaven as an example because it represents sin, that even a little corruption (or leaven) corrupts the whole Church (lump).  The same thing that happened in the Galatian church happened in the church at Corinth.  Modern churches must also beware of this and work to guard against it.  James 3:14-16 tell us that bitterness and strife are from Satan but peace and love among believers is from the Lord.

                   There was confusion in the early days of Christianity about Jews following the Law as given by Moses and Gentiles who are not under the Law and therefore can’t be saved.  But as Paul reminds us in verse 11 his persecution  proved that he was preaching the true Gospel.  If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no one would be offended.  But because he was teaching the truth, he was persecuted.  If you have family or friends who reject you because you have taken a stand for Jesus, remember He said in John 15:18-19 we should not be surprised if the world hates us because it hated Him.  Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ to both Jews and Gentiles, we should continue doing the same thing in spite of the obstacles others may put in our way.

                   Verses 16-18 warn us that our faith is a constant struggle between the flesh, which is our sinful human nature.  He explains how the Holy Spirit and our sinful nature are in conflict within us all the time.  But the good news is they aren’t equal forces. 

                   In Christ, we have victory over our sinful nature and new eternal life.  We shouldn’t be surprised when we experience resistance as we follow the Spirit’s leading.  Satan, who controls our sinful nature, is a constant and persistent agitator for rebellion against God.  And, he has had centuries of practice.  When we do what the Holy Spirit teaches, we can expect our sinful human nature to flare up in opposition.   That’s Satan working against God through us.  When we share our faith with others, he tries to make us feel foolish.  When we serve others, it’s Satan attacking our motives.  Satan uses our sinful nature in an effort to prevent the Holy Spirit leading our lives.  Fortunately for us, each time we slip and give in to our sinful nature, we will receive reminders from God’s Word, from the Holy Spirit, or from other believers that we are on the wrong path.  The Holy Spirit will always encourage us and give us dependable help and guidance.  All we need to do is listen to it or ask for the Spirit to give us the power needed to stand firm in our faith and to help us experience the joy and freedom that comes from letting Jesus rule in our heart and our lives.

                   All of us should look within to determine if we had served Christ better in the past than we are doing today.  If you find this, try to determine what has pulled you away from Him then ask for the help and guidance needed to get you back on track.  If you have not yet asked God to allow Jesus to come into your life as your Savior and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in how you live, please don’t wait any longer.  Feel free to talk to me at any time and help you.  This is important because Jesus is the only way to  salvation and eternity in Heaven.

                    Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.