Impediment
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In the context of the Bible, the term "impediment" refers to any hindrance or obstacle that prevents an individual from fulfilling God's will or experiencing His blessings. This concept can be understood both in a physical and spiritual sense, as the Scriptures provide numerous examples of impediments that affect the lives of believers.

Physical Impediments

Physical impediments are often depicted in the Bible as conditions that hinder a person's ability to function normally. These include ailments, disabilities, or any physical limitations. One notable example is found in the New Testament, where Jesus heals a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. In Mark 7:32-35 , it is written: "Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him. So He took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (which means, 'Be opened!'). Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly."

This passage illustrates Jesus' power to remove physical impediments, demonstrating His compassion and authority over creation. Such miracles serve as a testament to the belief that God can overcome any physical barrier that hinders His people.

Spiritual Impediments

Spiritual impediments are obstacles that prevent individuals from growing in their faith or experiencing a deeper relationship with God. These can include sin, doubt, fear, or any form of spiritual bondage. The Bible frequently addresses the need to overcome these impediments through faith and reliance on God's strength.

In Hebrews 12:1 , believers are encouraged to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." This verse highlights the importance of removing spiritual impediments to pursue a life of holiness and dedication to God.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of spiritual impediments in his letters, urging believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphorical armor represents the spiritual resources available to Christians to overcome impediments and remain steadfast in their faith.

Overcoming Impediments

The Bible provides guidance on overcoming both physical and spiritual impediments through faith, prayer, and obedience to God's Word. James 5:14-15 advises, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven."

This passage underscores the power of prayer and community support in overcoming impediments. It also emphasizes the importance of faith in God's ability to heal and restore.

In summary, impediments in the Bible are seen as challenges that can be overcome through divine intervention and personal faith. Whether physical or spiritual, these obstacles serve as opportunities for believers to experience God's power and grow in their relationship with Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or effect.

2. (v. t.) To impede.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IMPEDIMENT

im-ped'-i-ment: Found in Mark 7:32, "had an impediment in his speech," as a translation of mogilalos, comparative of mogos, "toil" and lalos, "speech," i.e. one who speaks with difficulty. In the Septuagint the word is used as a translation of 'illem, "dumb" (Isaiah 35:6).

Greek
1199. desmos -- a band, bond
... desmos Phonetic Spelling: (des-mon') Short Definition: a bond, chain Definition:
a bond, chain, imprisonment; a string or ligament, an impediment, infirmity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1199.htm - 6k

3424. mogilalos -- speaking with difficulty
... having an impediment in his speech. From mogis and laleo; hardly talking, ie Dumb
(tongue-tied) -- having an impediment in his speech. see GREEK mogis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3424.htm - 6k

1464. egkope -- a hindrance
... a hindrance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: egkope Phonetic Spelling:
(eng-kop-ay') Short Definition: an impediment, hindrance Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1464.htm - 6k

Library

Whether Order is an Impediment to Matrimony?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF VOWS AND ORDERS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether order is an impediment
to matrimony? ... For nothing is an impediment to a thing except its contrary. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether order is an impediment.htm

Whether a Tie that is an Impediment to Marriage is Contracted ...
... OF LEGAL RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether a tie that
is an impediment to marriage is contracted through adoption? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a tie that is.htm

Whether the Condition of Slavery is an Impediment to Matrimony?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF THE CONDITION OF SLAVERY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the
condition of slavery is an impediment to matrimony? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the condition of slavery.htm

Whether Consanguinity is an Impediment to Marriage by virtue of ...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF CONSANGUINITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether consanguinity
is an impediment to marriage by virtue of the natural law? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether consanguinity is an impediment.htm

Whether Madness is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF IMPOTENCE, SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST AND DEFECTIVE
AGE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether madness is an impediment to marriage? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether madness is an impediment.htm

Of the Impediment of the Condition of Slavery (Four Articles)
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF THE CONDITION OF SLAVERY (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now
consider the impediment of the condition of slavery. Under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the impediment of the.htm

Of the Impediment to Marriage, Arising from a Solemn Vow (Three ...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE, ARISING FROM A SOLEMN VOW (THREE ARTICLES). We
must next consider the impediments which supervene to marriage. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the impediment to marriage.htm

Whether Impotence is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF IMPOTENCE, SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST AND DEFECTIVE
AGE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether impotence is an impediment to marriage? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether impotence is an impediment.htm

Whether a Spell Can be an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF IMPOTENCE, SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST AND DEFECTIVE
AGE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether a spell can be an impediment to marriage? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a spell can be.htm

Whether Affinity is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF AFFINITY (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether affinity is an impediment
to marriage? Objection 1: It would seem that affinity ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether affinity is an impediment.htm

Thesaurus
Impediment (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IMPEDIMENT. ...Impediment (2 Occurrences). Mark
7:32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. ...
/i/impediment.htm - 7k

Clear (641 Occurrences)
... clear profit. 10. (superl.) Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed;
as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt. 11. (superl ...
/c/clear.htm - 39k

Difficulty (12 Occurrences)
... which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires skill and perseverance to overcome,
solve, or achieve; a hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the ...
/d/difficulty.htm - 10k

Hitch (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To move with hitches; as, he hitched his chair nearer. 6. (n.) A catch;
anything that holds, as a hook; an impediment; an obstacle; an entanglement. ...
/h/hitch.htm - 8k

Spoke (799 Occurrences)
... It is I! Don't be afraid." (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Mark 7:32 They brought
to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. ...
/s/spoke.htm - 33k

Impelled (7 Occurrences)

/i/impelled.htm - 8k

Opened (182 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was
released, and he spoke clearly. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/o/opened.htm - 36k

Objection (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse reason or
argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection ...
/o/objection.htm - 7k

Let (16815 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A retarding; hindrance; obstacle; impediment; delay; -- common in
the phrase without let or hindrance, but elsewhere archaic. ...
/l/let.htm - 8k

Impeded (1 Occurrence)

/i/impeded.htm - 6k

Resources
What does the Bible say about stuttering? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the key to effective prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Impediment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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