Got Fruit ?

If your parents never had children, chances are you won’t, either.
-Dick Cavett

Before I began my renewed walk with Christ back in 2006, I recall how things about my character were revealed to me as God’s Holy Spirit constantly tugged at my heart to change from my ways to His ways. The slow revelation over time would eventually cause me to reflect on where I had come from versus where I was spiritually, at the then present. I recalled how I went from having my priorities on God,to God becoming a vague and token thought. Eventually leading to becoming self-centered, arrogant, angry, envious, humanistic & materialistic (but not necessarily in that order); just living for myself and by whatever the flesh wanted.

See.. I had to look back at where I had came from to understand the gravity of the effects of over my life. Living in sin, I didn’t have a clue of the hook in my mouth, mainly because I didn’t want to acknowledge my trespasses against God and others. I give this cursory review of the last 20+ years of my life to set up a perspective I draw from 1st Thessalonians 2:18.

1st Thessalonians 2:18 (KJV)
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us

…

As I was studying 1st Thessalonians 2:18, I was taking in some of the comments and pictures that Rick Renner (author of Sparkling Gems) painted of how the word “hindered” was used in the Greek tense. Along with understanding the specific word(s) that the author explained, the thought occurred to me of how when a plan is laid out, the end result isn’t immediate; there are things that have to take place in order for the plan to come together. You build a house, you have to have the building plans, the materials, money, contractors to do the work, schedules to deliver materials etc. If something goes wrong in the plan, there’s a set back.

The example I just gave was both literally and figuratively “constructive”. Now hold that thought, consider how God has a constructive plan (detailed) for each of us. Satan too, orchestrates a plan to trip us up, sometimes employing others to be knowing and unknowing conspirers in our demise.

So back to the verse from 1st Thessalonians 2:18. According to author Rick Renner (Sparkling Gems), the word “hindered” is the Greek word EGKOPTO, an old word that was originally used to describe “a road so deteriorated and broken up that it was impassable”.

In Paul’s case, he was using the word EGKOPTO to describe the hindering forces that prevented him (temporarily) from going to visit the Thessalonians. These “forces” may have been the highway robbers that lurked along the well traveled roads between towns and cities; that waited to ambush and rob Paul and his entourage during their travels. These “forces” that Paul alluded to (remember my brief detour earlier?) may have been in reference to the Roman Empire’s constant harassment of Paul, it’s attempts to suppress the spreading of the gospel. In either case, Renner gives this analogy:

“Have you ever driven down a road on your way to your destination, only to discover that the road you’re driving on is too full of ruts and holes to continue you’re journey? As a result, you have to turn around, go back, and find another route to get to where you are going. Well that is exactly the image the word EGKOPTO portrays to us!”

Another description of EGKOPTO/hindered, is it’s use an athletic sense. EGKOPTO was used to portray the moment when a runner comes alongside another runner and literally elbows him out of the way, to cause the 1st runner to lose his advantage. Due to the aggression of runner #2, runner #1 stumbles or falls out of contention to win the race.

Sometimes it’s difficult to see or acknowledge hindrances in our lives because they are so close and familiar to us. Perhaps you work with someone that would do anything to get ahead at the job. Maybe you spend too much time around a friend or acquaintance that is always pessimistic or negative in thought. Unhealthy relationships can be hindrances as well (specifically dating & “friendships” not marriage). For some of us, it’s the guilt associated with a bad habit that we haven’t managed to kick. Our hearts, if not in the right condition can hinder as can having a lack of control over our emotions.

In a like manner, as Paul had experienced being hindered by forces that kept him from seeing the Thessalonians, our hindrances can cause us to draw away & not seek God.

Are you still traveling the same dusty pot-holed road?

What thing(s) in your life hinder you from walking fully with Christ?

Are you the one hindering yourself from allowing God to reveal Himself in your life?