Interference, in a biblical context, refers to the act of intervening or meddling in the affairs of others, often in a way that disrupts or hinders God's plans or the natural order established by Him. The concept can be explored through various scriptural narratives and teachings that highlight the consequences and moral implications of such actions.

Old Testament Examples

1. Tower of Babel: One of the earliest examples of interference is found in Genesis 11:1-9, where humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens is thwarted by God. The people sought to make a name for themselves and prevent their dispersion across the earth, directly opposing God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). God's intervention by confusing their language illustrates divine interference to realign human actions with His will.

2. Abraham and Sarah: In Genesis 16, Sarah's interference in God's promise to Abraham of a son leads to the birth of Ishmael through Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. This act of taking matters into their own hands results in familial strife and long-term consequences, highlighting the pitfalls of human interference in divine promises.

3. Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice: In 1 Samuel 13:8-14, King Saul interferes with the priestly duties by offering a burnt sacrifice himself, rather than waiting for Samuel. This act of disobedience and impatience leads to God's rejection of Saul's kingship, demonstrating the serious repercussions of interfering with God's ordained order.

New Testament Teachings

1. Peter's Rebuke of Jesus: In Matthew 16:21-23, Peter attempts to interfere with Jesus' mission by rebuking Him for speaking of His impending suffering and death. Jesus responds sharply, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me" (Matthew 16:23). This incident underscores the importance of aligning human understanding with divine purpose.

2. Paul's Warning Against False Teachers: In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul warns against those who interfere with the gospel by preaching a different message. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the purity of the gospel and not allowing human interference to distort the truth of Christ's teachings.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of interference, particularly when it stems from pride, impatience, or a lack of faith. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Interference can also manifest in the form of gossip or meddling in others' affairs, which is discouraged in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:11 : "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you."

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on interference serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, patience, and faith in God's plan. By refraining from unwarranted interference, believers can foster harmony and align their actions with divine will, ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of God's purposes on earth.1. (n.) The act or state of interfering; as, the stoppage of a machine by the interference of some of its parts; a meddlesome interference in the business of others.

2. (n.) The mutual influence, under certain conditions, of two streams of light, or series of pulsations of sound, or, generally, two waves or vibrations of any kind, producing certain characteristic phenomena, as colored fringes, dark bands, or darkness, in the case of light, silence or increased intensity in sounds; neutralization or superposition of waves generally.

3. (n.) The act or state of interfering, or of claiming a right to the same invention.

Unwise Interference.
... CHAPTER III. THE TRIALS CONNECTED WITH THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION
I."Unwise Interference. The first trial: the obloquy ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section i unwise interference.htm

The Papacy
... or between the rulers of independent states the authority of the Pope as supreme
arbitrator should have been recognised, or that his interference even in ...
/.../chapter ix the papacy.htm

The Church of the Middle Ages
... But in the hands of worldly-minded and ambitious prelates, such as too many of the
Popes undoubtedly were, this usurped prerogative of interference in the ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter x the church of.htm

The Friends of Jesus
... Their interference must have caused the Lord a bitter pang. It was sad that they
were not among His hearers, but worse that they should seek to mar His work. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 31-35 the friends of.htm

Christ's Teaching as to his Mother and Brethren.
... c stand without, desiring to see thee. ^a seeking to speak to thee. [This
message was at once an interruption and an interference. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/l christs teaching as to.htm

Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ...
... of a reasonable belief that divine agency is revealed rather by the upholding of
the established order of Nature than by any alleged interference therewith. ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/ii synopsis the present net results.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... history of the world. Contention for the throne among the Maccabees led
to the interference of the foreigner. When, after capturing ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... north and centre of the peninsula were studded with a number of compact, self-governing
communities inclined to resent any outside interference, however lawful ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

Judas Iscariot
... His plans"to precipitate Him into action before His time or to restrain Him when
His time had come"and He always resented such interference with indignation ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter ix judas iscariot.htm

The Healing of the Man Born Blind.
... God has not specially sent them, in the sense of His interference or primary causation,
although He has sent them in the sense of His knowledge, will, and reign ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the healing of.htm

Interference (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act or state of interfering; as, the stoppage of a machine by the
interference of some of its parts; a meddlesome interference in the business of ...
/i/interference.htm - 7k

Fringe (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One of a number of light or dark bands, produced by the interference of
light; a diffraction band; -- called also interference fringe. ...
/f/fringe.htm - 9k

Parthians (1 Occurrence)
... and they had an important connection with the history of the Jews, on account of
the large colonies of the latter in Mesopotamia, and the interference of the ...
/p/parthians.htm - 16k

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)
... by Alexander Janneus: Put in the Background by Alexandra Salome 4. From a Political
Party, but also Became a Religious Party 5. Fear Roman Interference if Jesus ...
/s/sadducees.htm - 31k

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Unconstrained by the interference of another; unimpelled by the influence
of another; not prompted or persuaded by another; done of his or its own ...
/v/voluntary.htm - 14k

Nabathaeans
... Nabateans, led by Aretas (III (?)), espoused the cause of Hyrcanus against Aristobulus,
besieged the latter in Jerusalem and provoked the interference of the ...
/n/nabathaeans.htm - 11k

Nabataeans
... Nabateans, led by Aretas (III (?)), espoused the cause of Hyrcanus against Aristobulus,
besieged the latter in Jerusalem and provoked the interference of the ...
/n/nabataeans.htm - 11k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... eloquently testify to coming generations that all earthly monarchy must bow before
the inviolable order of the divine will, and that no interference could be ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Jostle (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To push; to crowd; to hustle. 3. (n.) A conflict by collisions; a crowding
or bumping together; interference. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/jostle.htm - 7k

Leave (341 Occurrences)
... relinquish. 9. (v.) To let be or do without interference; as, I left him
to his reflections; I leave my hearers to judge. 10. (v ...
/l/leave.htm - 35k

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