In the context of biblical literature, the term "thwarts" is not directly mentioned in the Berean Standard Bible or other traditional translations. However, the concept of thwarting, which means to obstruct, frustrate, or prevent someone from accomplishing a purpose, is present throughout the Scriptures. This entry explores the biblical understanding of thwarting, particularly in relation to God's plans, human intentions, and spiritual opposition.

Divine Thwarting

The Bible frequently illustrates that God has the sovereign authority to thwart the plans of individuals and nations when they are contrary to His divine will. In the Book of Job, it is declared, "He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands find no success" (Job 5:12). This passage highlights God's ability to disrupt the schemes of those who act with deceit or malice.

Similarly, in the Psalms, the psalmist acknowledges God's power to frustrate the designs of nations: "The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples" (Psalm 33:10). This verse underscores the belief that no human plan can ultimately succeed if it opposes God's purposes.

Human Thwarting

While God can thwart human plans, individuals can also experience thwarting in their own lives due to various circumstances. The Apostle Paul, in his missionary journeys, encountered several instances where his plans were thwarted. In Acts 16:6-7, Paul and his companions were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" and later, "the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them" to enter Bithynia. These instances demonstrate how divine intervention can redirect human intentions for a greater purpose.

Spiritual Thwarting

The Bible also addresses the concept of spiritual opposition, where forces of evil attempt to thwart the work of God and His people. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . Believers are called to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God to withstand such spiritual thwarting.

Thwarting in the Life of Jesus

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ provide profound examples of thwarting. Despite numerous attempts by religious leaders and others to thwart His mission, Jesus remained steadfast in fulfilling His Father's will. In John 7:30, it is noted, "So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come" . This illustrates that divine timing and purpose cannot be thwarted by human efforts.

Conclusion

The concept of thwarting in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. While human plans may be frustrated, believers are encouraged to trust in God's perfect plan and timing, knowing that His purposes will prevail.5791. avath -- to be bent or crooked
... root Definition to be bent or crooked NASB Word Usage bent (1), cheat (1), crooked
(1), defraud (1), pervert (3), stoop (1), subvert (1), thwarts (1), wronged ...
/hebrew/5791.htm - 6k

victor Teaches that God Thwarts his Own Predestination.
... Book II. Chapter 13 [IX.]"Victor Teaches that God Thwarts His Own
Predestination. Let us now go on to plainer matters. For while ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 ix victor teaches that.htm

Watching unto God in the Night Season
... And makes my fetters fly; How wretched is the creature's state. Who thwarts thy
gracious power; Crushed under sin's enormous weight,. Increasing every hour! ...
/.../watching unto god in the 3.htm

The Man is the Prayer.
... That is a prayer unceasing, as long and as strong as your life itself.
Satan fears it. It hinders him and thwarts him every day. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the man is the prayer.htm

Penitence the Weakness and Restlessness of Sin.
... Yet rest and calm in vain pursue. Self-will is rooted in my soul,. And thwarts
me still, whate'er I do. I hate it, but its life is strong,. ...
/.../penitence the weakness and restlessness.htm

The Goodness of Marcion's God Only Imperfectly Manifested; it ...
... perfection will lie. For as it is the operation of goodness which brings salvation,
so is it malevolence which thwarts it. [2627] Since ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv the goodness of marcions.htm

The Treatment of the Divine Action.
... I require such a thing! The necessary helps have been taken from me. That
man thwarts all my good works, is it not most unreasonable? ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section vi the treatment of the.htm

Let no one Think However that Herein we Depreciate Marriage as an ...
... instincts which prompt by a spontaneous bias to take the high road of marriage for
the procreation of children, whereas Virginity in a way thwarts this natural ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter viii let no one.htm

But Seeing that Paradise is the Home of Living Spirits...
... and by their own deed have checked his advance; they have made themselves, in fact,
a frontier between life and death, and a barrier too, which thwarts him. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xiii but seeing that.htm

What Manner of Man Ought to Come to Rule.
... disregards worldly prosperity; who is afraid of no adversity; who desires only inward
wealth; whose intention the body, in good accord with it, thwarts not at ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x what manner of.htm

Whether the Angels Receive Grace and Glory According to the Degree ...
... The angel is not a compound of different natures, so that the inclination of the
one thwarts or retards the tendency of the other; as happens in man, in whom ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angels receive grace.htm

Thwarts (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thwarts (3 Occurrences). Psalms 33:10 Yahweh
brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the ...
/t/thwarts.htm - 7k

Thwarted (3 Occurrences)

/t/thwarted.htm - 7k

Thwart (5 Occurrences)
... other, or athwart the boat. 6. (vt) To move across or counter to; to cross;
as, an arrow thwarts the air. 7. (vt) To cross, as a ...
/t/thwart.htm - 8k

Thy (30882 Occurrences)

/t/thy.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

Malachi (2 Occurrences)
... Better a temple closed than filled with such worshippers (Malachi 1:8-10). (3) That
divorce and intermarriage with heathen idolaters thwarts the purpose of God ...
/m/malachi.htm - 21k

Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... in the new righteousness. Any selfish desire for the approval of men thwarts
the purpose of all worship. The object of almsgiving ...
/s/sermon.htm - 39k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... The word of the Master is that He "came that they may have life, and may have it
abundantly" (John 10:10). Sin is serious, because it thwarts life. ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)
... in the new righteousness. Any selfish desire for the approval of men thwarts
the purpose of all worship. The object of almsgiving ...
/m/malchiel.htm - 74k

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