OBSTACLES OF SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION

• 2 Corinthian 3:14 { 2Co 3:14 The people were stubborn, and something still keeps them from seeing the truth when the Law is read. Only Christ can take away the covering that keeps them from seeing. }

2 Corinthian 4 : 3-4 { 2Co 4:3 If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.

2Co 4:4 The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like. }

The enemy does not want you to read the book { bible} because everything that makes up your life is in the book. As believer Satan has no right and power to blind our minds except we give him place. What the devil does is that he twist you till you give him place unconsciously.

What do we do that give the enemy room to block the light from coming to us? Luke 8: 4-15 { Luk 8:4 When a large crowd from several towns had gathered around Jesus, he told them this story:

Luk 8:5 A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was doing it, some of the seeds fell along the road and were stepped on or eaten by birds.

Luk 8:6 Other seeds fell on rocky ground and started growing. But the plants did not have enough water and soon dried up.

Luk 8:7 Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants.

Luk 8:8 The rest of the seeds fell on good ground where they grew and produced a hundred times as many seeds. When Jesus had finished speaking, he said, "If you have ears, pay attention!"

Luk 8:9 Jesus' disciples asked him what the story meant.

Luk 8:10 So he answered: I have explained the secrets about God's kingdom to you, but for others I can only use stories. These people look, but they don't see, and they hear, but they don't understand.

Luk 8:11 This is what the story means: The seed is God's message,

Luk 8:12 and the seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But the devil comes and snatches the message out of their hearts, so that they will not believe and be saved.

Luk 8:13 The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don't have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up.

Luk 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they are so eager for riches and pleasures that they never produce anything.

Luk 8:15 Those seeds that fell on good ground are the people who listen to the message and keep it in good and honest hearts. They last and produce a harvest. } whenever you gain a revelation from the word of God , that is when it can bring forth fruit i.e if you get the revelation , it will bring fruit.

The devil always target those by the way side to take the word from them. Those by the way side are those that lack concentration.

Don’t allow devil to distract you. Distraction is easy when you’re by the way side.

• Hardened heart : before God can do anything in your life , you must change and soften your heart. God doesn’t speak to those whose heart are hardened heart is a stubborn heart. A hardened heart does not consider the act of God. God will never show you is word when you hardened your heart against is word. It doesn’t matter the prophecy that goes out, it will not work for a hardened heart.

Luke 8 : 14 { Luk 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thorn bushes are also people who hear the message. But they are so eager for riches and pleasures that they never produce anything. } it is possible for the riches and pleasure of this life to block the word of God. The pleasure of life will blind your access to the word of God.

What do we have to do if we must be like good ground ?

1. Mathew 11 : 28 -29{ Mat 11:28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. } when you are coming to church, come with attitude of a learner

2. Come with an open heart: when your heart is opened , it becomes easier for God to reach you. Anytime you are reading the word of God , be open hearted.

3. learn to work in the word of God, to trust God, commit every step to God. When you begin to trust God to provide your need , you will be able to focus on his word.

by pastor wole samuel