Overcoming Satanic Hindrances
(week 48, 2007)
Olubi Johnson
1 Thessalonians 2:18(NKJV): 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you–even I, Paul, time and again–but Satan hindered us.
Here, the scripture reveals that Satan hindered Paul from going to the Thessalonians.
This tells us that even if something is the will of God, Satan opposes it and in some cases can hinder it, if we do not pray effectively enough.
We see this truth also in:
Daniel 10:12-13(NIV): 12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Mark 4:17(NKJV): 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
Acts 14:22(NKJV): 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
This is why we are to pray with tongues and travail with all kinds of prayer to effectively wrestle and overcome wicked spirits in heavenly places who are seeking to hinder the will of God for our lives.
Ephesians 6:12-19(NKJV): 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…
Observe that to pray effectively in the spirit, you need to put on the whole armour of God: which is the armour of love, for God is love (1 John 4.16).
When you do this as a daily habit, your prayers in the spirit will be fervent, effectual and will avail much (James 5.16) causing you to be able to overcome all satanic hindrances and opposition fulfilling the scriptures:
1 John 2:14, 4:1-4(NKJV): I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. 4:1-4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
So as a daily habit, put on the whole of armour of love by the blood (Hebrews 13.20-21, the Word (1 John 2.5) and the Spirit (Jude. 1.20-21), then pray regularly, effectually and fervently in tongues and with groanings with all kinds of prayer to overcome all satanic hindrances that come against you!
