Obstacles
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In the biblical context, obstacles are often seen as challenges or hindrances that believers encounter in their spiritual journey. These can be physical, spiritual, or emotional barriers that test faith, perseverance, and reliance on God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how to confront and overcome obstacles through faith and divine assistance.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Red Sea: One of the most dramatic obstacles faced by the Israelites was the Red Sea, which stood between them and freedom from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 14:21-22 , God miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event underscores the belief that God can remove seemingly insurmountable barriers for His people.

2. Jericho's Walls: In Joshua 6, the fortified city of Jericho presented a significant obstacle to the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. God instructed Joshua to have the people march around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, the walls fell after the Israelites shouted and blew trumpets, demonstrating that obedience to God's commands can lead to the overcoming of obstacles.

3. Goliath: The giant Goliath was an obstacle to the Israelites, instilling fear in their army. In 1 Samuel 17, David, a young shepherd, faced Goliath with faith in God, declaring, "The battle is the LORD’s" (1 Samuel 17:47). David's victory illustrates that faith in God can empower believers to overcome formidable challenges.

New Testament Teachings

1. Faith and Mountains: Jesus taught that faith can move mountains, a metaphor for overcoming obstacles. In Matthew 17:20 , He said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." This teaching emphasizes the power of faith in overcoming difficulties.

2. Paul's Trials: The Apostle Paul faced numerous obstacles, including imprisonment, shipwrecks, and persecution. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , Paul shares God's response to his plea for relief: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Paul learned to rely on God's strength, finding that obstacles can lead to spiritual growth and reliance on divine grace.

3. Perseverance in Trials: James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This passage teaches that obstacles can refine faith and build character.

Spiritual Obstacles

1. Sin and Temptation: Sin is a significant spiritual obstacle that separates individuals from God. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Overcoming sin requires repentance and reliance on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

2. Doubt and Fear: Doubt and fear can hinder spiritual progress. In Matthew 14:29-31 , Peter walked on water toward Jesus but began to sink when he doubted. Jesus immediately reached out to save him, highlighting the importance of maintaining faith and focus on Christ amidst life's storms.

3. Worldly Distractions: The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:22 warns of the "worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" that can choke the word, making it unfruitful. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God over worldly concerns.

Overcoming Obstacles

The Bible consistently teaches that obstacles can be overcome through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's power. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's provision and strength when facing challenges. Additionally, Ephesians 6:10-11 advises believers to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" and to "put on the full armor of God" to stand firm against spiritual obstacles.
Greek
4297. prokope -- progress
... impedes progress"; furtherance. For the believer, this means going in
sanctification, cutting through obstacles . [This root () is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4297.htm - 7k

4728. stenos -- narrow
... narrow, strait. Probably from the base of histemi; narrow (from obstacles standing
close about) -- strait. see GREEK histemi. (stene) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4728.htm - 6k

4037. perimeno -- to wait for
... 4037 (from 4012 , "all-around" and 3306 , "remain, abide") -- properly, remain
all-around, ie (regardless of the obstacles involved); to ", putting up with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4037.htm - 7k

Library

Obstacles to Faith.
... Homily XV. Chapter III."Obstacles to Faith. And our father said: "There
is evidently much reason in what you say." And Peter said ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iii obstacles to faith.htm

Whether the First Precept of the Decalogue is Fittingly Expressed?
... The second thing to be observed in the order of generation is that in the
first place contraries and obstacles have to be removed. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first precept of.htm

"Not by Might, nor by Power"
... Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. ... Often men are tempted
to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 48 not by might.htm

Letter xxii. --Fidelity to the Call of God.
... is, to believe firmly that, as God is all-powerful and that nothing in the world
can resist Him, He will know how to overcome all the obstacles and oppositions ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xxii fidelity to the call.htm

Whether the Degree of Goodness or Malice in the Will Depends on ...
... Secondly, on account of the obstacles that may supervene in regard to the exterior
action, which obstacles we are unable to remove: for instance, a man intends ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the degree of goodness.htm

Whether those who are not Practiced in Keeping the Commandments ...
... This is accomplished through the removal of the obstacles to perfect charity by
religious observances; and these obstacles are those things which attach man's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who are not.htm

The Spiritual Guide,
... advanced and made progress in Prayer, and are called by God to the inward way, who
encourages and guides them, freeing them from the obstacles which hinder the ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/the spiritual guide.htm

Whether the Particular Punishments of Our First Parents are ...
... Therefore it was useless to put other obstacles in the way lest man should return
thither, to wit the cherubim, and the "flaming sword turning every way.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the particular punishments of.htm

Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
... steadied and glorified. And there is implied, too, not only tenacity of
adherence, but tenacity in the face of obstacles. There must ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/hezekiah a pattern of devout.htm

Whether Parish Priests and Archdeacons are More Perfect than ...
... that arises from the arduousness of the deed adds to the perfection of virtue; but
the difficulty that results from outward obstacles sometimes lessens the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether parish priests and archdeacons.htm

Thesaurus
Obstacles (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obstacles (3 Occurrences). Romans 16:17 Now I
beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the ...
/o/obstacles.htm - 7k

Obstacle (6 Occurrences)

/o/obstacle.htm - 8k

Obstinacy (1 Occurrence)

/o/obstinacy.htm - 7k

Fair (147 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open;
direct; -- said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a ...
/f/fair.htm - 40k

Thread (32 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To pass or pierce through as a narrow way; also, to effect or make,
as one's way, through or between obstacles; to thread. ...
/t/thread.htm - 16k

Traverse (5 Occurrences)
... 14. (v.) To lay in a cross direction; to cross. 15. (v.) To cross by way of opposition;
to thwart with obstacles; to obstruct; to bring to naught. 16. ...
/t/traverse.htm - 10k

Encounter (10 Occurrences)
... in conflict with; to oppose; to struggle with; as, to encounter a friend in traveling;
two armies encounter each other; to encounter obstacles or difficulties ...
/e/encounter.htm - 10k

Dilemma (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every
side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious ...
/d/dilemma.htm - 7k

Push (23 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push,
or he has no push. Multi-Version Concordance Push (23 Occurrences). ...
/p/push.htm - 14k

Resources
What is the full armor of God? | GotQuestions.org

Why is following Christ so difficult? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God makes our feet like the feet of a deer (Habakkuk 3:19)? | GotQuestions.org

Obstacles: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Obstacles (3 Occurrences)

Romans 16:17
Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 57:14
And I will say, Make it high, make it high, get ready the way, take the stones out of the way of my people.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 6:21
For this reason the Lord has said, See, I will put stones in the way of this people: and the fathers and the sons together will go falling over them; the neighbour and his friend will come to destruction.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Obstacles

Obstetrics: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Obstacle (6 Occurrences)

Obstinacy (1 Occurrence)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Thread (32 Occurrences)

Traverse (5 Occurrences)

Encounter (10 Occurrences)

Dilemma (1 Occurrence)

Push (23 Occurrences)

Burst (33 Occurrences)

Beset (16 Occurrences)

Conquer (12 Occurrences)

Able (730 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Hinder (47 Occurrences)

Iron (104 Occurrences)

Concordance

Year (4027 Occurrences)

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)

Psychology

Hard (733 Occurrences)

Nero

Obstacle
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