“And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thess 2:6-7)

Lawlessness is at work all around us

You can’t listen to the news without noticing that evil is at work and getting worse. It is becoming acceptable and becoming the new normal. The Bible said it would happen and it certainly is. It’s called lawlessness and it’s evil. 

• Evil and selfish people: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 ESV)

• Evil people and imposters:  “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13 ESV)

• Evil demonic teachings: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Tim. 4:1 ESV)

• Evil scoffers and accusers: “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet. 3:3 ESV)

God is greater!

Even though evil is active and getting worse, it is being held back by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Thess. 2:6-7 at top). The Holy Spirit is inside of us empowering us to work against the evil forces in the world. 

 Jesus overcame the world

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

We are over-comers with the Holy Spirit inside us

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 KJV)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 ESV)

Therefore…

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 ESV)

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“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18 ESV)

There could be many reasons why prayers are delayed or hindered

Daniel 10:11:13 tells how God had answered Daniel’s prayer right away but the answer was delayed by satanic forces for 21 days. In the New Testament we read that the believer's battle is not against flesh and blood; but rather, “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). The world has always been a wicked place (1st John 5:19). Therefore, we do what old time followers have learned to do, continue to faithfully “pray through”. And we must learn what it is that  hinders prayer and do everything you can to fix things. Over the next few days we will look at things that can hinder or delay prayer and what to do.

Sin, iniquity, doing evil, will hinder prayer

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isa. 59:2 ESV)

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12 ESV)

What to do:

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

Quotes:

“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” - F.B. Meyer

“Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer... He may sometimes keep us long waiting...but He will never send us empty away.” - J. C. Ryle

Today’s Promise to Memorize* 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

 Additional References

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12 ESV)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:21 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalm 37:7 ESV)

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Rom. 12:9 ESV) 

“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 ESV)

A Reminder

*Over the next few days I am posting Bible promises every believer MUST know (and commit to memory) to be fully equipped no matter what they are faced with. Meditate on them and memorize them. 

Proven ways to help memorize:

1.     Hand write it on 3x5 card.

2.     Always include the Bible reference at the beginning and repeat it again at the end. 

3.     Read it through several times and think about what it means (mediate on it). 

4.     Say it out loud a few times.  

5.     Refer to it throughout the day and say it to yourself (a few words at a time if necessary) until you can say it correctly without looking.