7 HINDRANCES TO WORD PRACTICE

Collaboration Hindrance

Mt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

There are hindrances to practicing the word. Why do folks hear the word and fail to practice them? These are a few reasons:

1. Procrastination

Hebrews 3:7-8,15

[7]Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

[8]Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

[15]While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Procrastination is demonic. It is one of satan's weapons to limit the believer. As long as you keep delaying on obeying the word, you will delay your blessings as well. And delayed obedience equals disobedience. Timing is of essence.

Some hear the word and tell themselves I will do it later. Promptness is the cure for procrastination. Obey God today!

2. Vain excuses

Proverbs 20:4

[4]The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Men of excuses don't have any future. Saul found an excuse for his failure. Adam was no exception; he blamed God for his failure. Take responsibility for your actions. Give no room for excuses. Acknowledge your fault. Accept responsibility. Then make the necessary changes and move forward.

3. Ignorance

Hosea 4:6

[6]My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.....

The believer ought to be thoroughly educated in the scriptures in order to live the life of God to the full. You cannot practice what you don't know. Get into the word and get to know the mind of God and put the word to work.

4. Fear of men

Pr 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

This is a limitation; and it is prevalent in our society today. We live in a society where most people do not want to offend anybody but please everybody. Hence most people have put up with all kinds of foolishness. They won't obey God because they are afraid of what people will say. They will rather flow with the opinions of men than what God is saying.

Saul disobeyed God and lost his throne because he was afraid of the people. Fear is of the devil. Do not let it hold you back from doing God's will. This is what Jesus said:

Luke 6:26

[26]Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!.......

5. Lack of understanding

Matthew 13:19

[19]When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

There are those who don't practice the word due to lack of understanding. It is difficult to practice what you don't understand. Seek understanding from the the Holy Spirit.

After His resurrection, Jesus did something beautiful to His disciples:

Luke 24:45

[45]Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

6. Lack of courage

Joshua 1:7

[7]Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Jonathan is a perfect example of a man who lacked courage to do what was right, with his full knowledge of the truth. He did not have the courage to stick to David even though he knew Saul was evil.

He knew what was right but could not follow his heart but his flesh. He lacked the courage to walk away from evil. He chose his flesh instead of the Spirit and ended up dying with the one who has been rejected by God.

7. Indecision:

1 Kings 18:21

[21]Elijah went up to the people and said, “How much longer will it take you to make up your minds? If the Lord is God, worship him; but if Baal is God, worship him!” But the people didn't say a word. GNT

You have to make a conscious decision to practice the word irrespective of circumstances and the opinions of men. You need to have a mind of your own to practice the word if you are going to make any head way in life. Don't let others decide for you; make your own personal decision to do the word.

For some, when they hear the word, they wonder whether they should do it or not; they become indecisive. This will keep you on one spot for such a long time. The key is promptness! Act on the word promptly. Hallelujah!