What Stands Between Us And Obedience To Jesus Christ? by “Brother Bill”

July 15, 2025

Christian

OVER-COMERS GUIDE SOOOO: What stands between us and obedience to Jesus Christ?

Final Challenge from Jesus:

Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV)

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

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Bible is clear that many forces stand between us and obedience to God, including our sin nature, worldly conformity, demonic influence, pride, laziness, and fleshly desires. Below are complete NKJV verses showing the specific enemies of obedience, along with why they oppose God’s commands:

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1. Sin Nature / Flesh vs. Spirit

Galatians 5:16–17 (NKJV)

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

The flesh is in conflict with God’s Spirit — making obedience difficult unless we surrender daily.

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2. Conforming to the World

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The world’s standards are often the opposite of God’s — conforming to it dulls spiritual obedience.

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3. Satan Opposes God’s Will

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV)

“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,

lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Satan blinds minds, deceiving people into resisting truth and obedience.

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4. Traditions That Nullify God’s Word

Mark 7:8–9 (NKJV)

“For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…

He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.’”

Religious traditions can replace true obedience if not grounded in God’s Word.

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5. Rebellion in the Heart

1 Samuel 15:23 (NKJV)

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Rebellion is compared to witchcraft — it is spiritual defiance against God’s authority.

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6. Pride Resists God’s Ways

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Pride refuses to submit, thinking it knows better than God — leading to a fall.

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7. Lusts of the Flesh

1 John 2:16 (NKJV)

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—

is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Lust blinds us, enslaving us to desires that contradict obedience.

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8. Greed and the Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Greed pulls people away from faith and leads to disobedience and destruction.

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9. Envy and Strife

James 3:16 (NKJV)

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

Envy poisons the soul, fuels sin, and separates us from God’s peace and will.

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10. Spiritual Laziness

Hebrews 6:11–12 (NKJV)

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Laziness leads to spiritual dullness, blocking growth and obedience.

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11. The Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5)

Galatians 5:19–21 (NKJV)

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions,

heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;

of which I tell you beforehand… that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These sins of the flesh directly oppose obedience and keep people outside God’s kingdom.

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12. A Carnal Mind Cannot Obey

Romans 8:7–8 (NKJV)

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Carnal thinking is hostile to God’s rule and must be renewed by the Spirit.

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Final Word – God’s Spirit Helps Us Obey

Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NKJV)

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

Despite all that stands in the way, God offers power through the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

Sooo I don’t ever want to be separated from Gods spirit by not being obedient, that would be ungrateful. Soooo: If I get selfish, and I do; I repent, how about you?

All people in my life are a gift from God; as iron against iron sharpens us for his purpose. Blessings brother bill/dad