"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14 KJV)

Did the devil make you do that? 

The late great comedian, Flip Wilson, said jokingly in one of his famous Geraldine routines, “The devil made me do it.” But, as a person united with Christ and set free from the power of sin, the devil has no power or authority to make you do anything! He is a liar and deceiver who will tempt you to do wrong things, but the final decision is entirely yours to make.

You have genuine safety and freedom in Christ!

When Jesus sets you free, you are “free indeed.” (John 8:36). Sin can only dominate you if you allow it to. The Bible commands us not to give the devil a foothold. (Eph. 4:27). 

We are no longer enslaved to sin!

“We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." (Rom. 6:6-7 NIV)

You are free from the law of sin!

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2 NIV)

You were called to freedom!

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Gal. 5:13 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