Which other scriptures highlight the impact of sin on our relationship with God? Sin Blocks Our Connection to God Psalm 66:18 — “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the LORD would not have listened.” • Hidden, unrepented sin closes God’s ears to our prayers, placing distance where closeness should exist. Walls Raised by Iniquity Isaiah 59:1-2 — “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Jeremiah 5:25 — “Your iniquities have turned these away, your sins have deprived you of My bounty.” Micah 3:4 — “Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. He will hide His face from them at that time, because of the evil they have done.” Prayer Hindered by Disobedience Proverbs 28:9 — “Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.” 1 Peter 3:7 — “…so that your prayers will not be hindered.” (A reminder that sin—including relational sin—blocks effective prayer.) Fellowship Broken and Darkness Invited 1 John 1:6 — “If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” James 1:14-15 — “But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.” Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Spirit Grieved and Quenched Ephesians 4:30 — “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19 — “Do not extinguish the Spirit.” Restoration Offered through Confession Psalm 32:3-5 — “When I kept silent, my bones became brittle… Then I acknowledged my sin to You; I hid not my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” |
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