“Hindering Others” (Part 1)

Galatians 5:7-10 “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.” (NKJV)

CEV “You were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth. And that person was certainly not sent by the one who chose you. A little yeast can change a whole batch of dough, but you belong to the Lord. That makes me certain that you will do what I say, instead of what someone else tells you to do. Whoever is causing trouble for you will be punished.”

The Message “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don't toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment.”

Paul expressed his concern about Christians being 'hindered' in their spiritual race. The word used here (anakopto) means “properly to beat or drive back”. It means to hinder, check, or retard advancement. This is "an Olympic expression, and properly signifies "coming across the course" while a person is running in it, in such a manner as to jostle, and throw him out of the way." 

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that we are in a race to win and influence others-but that we must be careful not to loose out ourselves:

CEV “You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others.”

It takes a lot to run a race-

(1) Hard work-“for a crown that will last forever.”

(2) Determination-“I don’t run without a goal-I run to win!”

(3) Personal sacrifice-“I keep my body under control.”

It takes a lot to win a fight-

(1) You don’t box by beating your fists in the air.

(2) You have to be in command of your body.

(3) I don’t want to lose after teaching others to win

So, if that be the case while running our race, do we help or hinder others who run along with us? Are we a blessing or a cursing upon them in their journey?

There are two areas where we can really hinder people running in this race:

(1) Through False Teaching!

The problem addressed in Galatians 5 was the necessity of circumcision for salvation. Again the Judizers wanted the power of the grace to be coupled with the requirements of the law. In their minds God’s standard was more man determined that God founded.

Many religious teachers today-historically and fundamentally- teach there students that the Bible is a good book, filled with historical facts, and written by men. However they leave off the most important part:

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Peter said in 2 Peter 3:17 “My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance.” (CEV)

The plan of salvation is not coupled with Mosaic Law-

(1) God has a standard-holiness.

(2) God requires a lifestyle change.

(3) God’s Word stipulates what we can and cannot do.

(4) God has given us the choice to make our own destiny.

Evil people can and will lead people down the wrong path and knock things out of balance in their spiritual life.

(2) Through Sinful Conduct!

1 Corinthians 15:33, 34 “Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don't know about God.”

-Immorality

-Being a bad influence on others

-Slothfulness.

-Lack of integrity.

Romans 6:12-14 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

CEV “Don't let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don't obey its desires or let any part of it become a slave of evil. Give yourselves to God, as people who have been raised from death to life. Make every part of your body a slave that pleases God. Don't let sin keep ruling your lives. You are ruled by God's kindness and not by the Law.”
The example we set can have an adverse effect on others or a positive effect. Which will be said about you?