In the context of the Bible, the term "obstructs" can be understood as anything that hinders, impedes, or stands in the way of spiritual progress, divine will, or righteous living. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on the nature of such obstructions, whether they be physical, spiritual, or moral.

Obstructions in Spiritual Growth

The Bible frequently addresses the concept of spiritual obstructions, often warning believers to be vigilant against anything that might hinder their relationship with God. In Hebrews 12:1 , the author exhorts believers to "throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." Here, sin is depicted as a primary obstruction that can entangle and impede one's spiritual journey.

Obstructions in the Path of Righteousness

Proverbs 4:27 advises, "Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." This verse highlights the importance of staying on the path of righteousness and avoiding any diversions or obstructions that might lead one astray. The imagery of a straight path is often used in Scripture to symbolize a life lived in accordance with God's commandments.

Obstructions in the Fulfillment of God's Will

The Bible also speaks of obstructions in the context of fulfilling God's will. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul frequently encountered obstacles in his missionary journeys. In Acts 16:6-7 , it is noted that Paul and his companions were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" and that "the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them" to enter Bithynia. These divine obstructions were not hindrances to be overcome but rather guidance to redirect their mission according to God's plan.

Obstructions in Prayer

Obstructions can also affect one's prayer life. In 1 Peter 3:7 , husbands are instructed to "treat your wives with understanding as you live together, so that your prayers will not be hindered." This verse suggests that relational discord and failure to honor one's spouse can obstruct effective communication with God.

Obstructions from the Enemy

The Bible acknowledges that Satan and his forces actively seek to obstruct the work of God and the faith of believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:18 , Paul writes, "For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us." This passage illustrates the spiritual warfare that believers may face, with the enemy attempting to thwart God's purposes.

Overcoming Obstructions

Scripture provides guidance on overcoming obstructions through faith, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength. In Philippians 4:13 , Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This assurance empowers believers to overcome any obstacles they may encounter in their spiritual walk.

In summary, the Bible addresses the concept of obstructions in various contexts, emphasizing the need for believers to remain vigilant, rely on God's guidance, and persevere in their faith to overcome any hindrances to their spiritual growth and fulfillment of God's will.1385. dokos -- a beam of timber
... plank (Moffatt); a pole sticking out grotesquely" (, 1, 60); (figuratively) a huge
log (like a plank used in a house) that completely obstructs someone's vision ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1385.htm - 7k2856. chatham -- to seal, affix a seal, seal up
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to seal, affix a seal, seal up NASB Word Usage
obstructs (1), seal (6), sealed (15), seals (2), sets a seal (1), shut (1). ...
/hebrew/2856.htm - 6k

Of the Remedy for the Fourth Source of Weariness.
... For that sort of fear which is excessive, and which obstructs the declaration of
his judgment, ought to be dispelled by the force of kindly exhortation; and by ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 13 of the remedy for.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... apostle has just spoken. The world's hate, it must be admitted, repels
love and powerfully obstructs its exercise. 3. Is it not ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Watching unto God in the Night Season
... Undisturbed I muse all night,. On the first Eternal Fair; Nothing there obstructs
delight,. Love is renovated there. Life, with its perpetual stir,. ...
/.../watching unto god in the.htm

Of the Way to Attain Divine Union
... Activity obstructs Union; for God being an Infinite Stillness, the soul, in order
to be united to Him, must participate in this stillness, else the contrariety ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxiv of the way.htm

The Soul is not to Afflict it Self, nor Intermit Prayer, Because ...
... By that also he takes away reflection, or that view, whereby the Soul Eyes what
it is doing, the only impediment that obstructs the advancing forward, and God ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iv the soul is.htm

God Cannot be Embraced in Words or by the Mind.
... words. And "the darkness""which is, in truth, the unbelief and ignorance
of the multitude"obstructs the gleam of truth. And ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii god cannot be embraced.htm

Letter viii. --On Natural Activity.
... It prevents, obstructs, or spoils all the operations of grace, and substitutes,
in the soul which succumbs to it, the impulsion of the human spirit for that of ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter viii on natural activity.htm

How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man through the Advent of ...
... me as Thy brother." [1017] Let us put away, then, let us put away oblivion of the
truth, viz., ignorance; and removing the darkness which obstructs, as dimness ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter xi how great are the.htm

Foretaste of Heaven.
... 2 When sin no more obstructs our sight, When sorrow pains our hearts no more, How
shall we view the Prince of Light And all his works of grace explore! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/511 foretaste of heaven.htm

The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act of ...
... Still, (as must be admitted,) by reason of its enclosure it obstructs and obscures
the soul, and sullies it by the concretion of the flesh; whence it happens ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter liii the entire soul being.htm

Obstructs (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obstructs (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 15:3 This
shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body ...
/o/obstructs.htm - 6k

Obstruction (1 Occurrence)

/o/obstruction.htm - 6k

Traverse (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Something that thwarts, crosses, or obstructs; a cross accident; as, he
would have succeeded, had it not been for unlucky traverses not under his ...
/t/traverse.htm - 10k

Raft
... 3. (n.) A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is formed in some Western
rivers of the United States), which obstructs navigation. ...
/r/raft.htm - 7k

Bar (27 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.
4. (n.) A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. ...
/b/bar.htm - 21k

Stop (108 Occurrences)
... interruption; check; obstruction. 12. (n.) That which stops, impedes, or obstructs;
as obstacle; an impediment; an obstruction. 13. (n.) A ...
/s/stop.htm - 38k

Obtain (63 Occurrences)

/o/obtain.htm - 24k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... Ras Mersid, again, obstructs the passage along the shore almost as effectually as
did Ras Feshkah, but farther south there is no other obstruction. ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

Dead (580 Occurrences)
... Ras Mersid, again, obstructs the passage along the shore almost as effectually as
did Ras Feshkah, but farther south there is no other obstruction. ...
/d/dead.htm - 80k

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