Addressing Sin and aligning to God's Will (2)

The Bible addresses the concept of unconfessed sin hindering fellowship with God in several places.

Proverbs 28:13 says, "Whoever conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy." This verse suggests that hiding our sins from God prevents us from receiving His mercy and experiencing His full blessings.

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." This verse emphasizes God's willingness to forgive us when we genuinely confess our sins, restoring our fellowship with Him.

Isaiah 59:2 says, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." This verse directly connects unconfessed sin with a barrier in our relationship with God, hindering our prayers and preventing His full presence in our lives.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have heard." This verse highlights the importance of wholeheartedly turning away from sin, as cherishing it in our hearts creates a distance between us and God.

The Bible consistently teaches that unconfessed sin disrupts our fellowship with God. It creates a barrier that prevents His full blessings, hinders our prayers, and separates us from His presence. However, when we humbly confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us and restore our relationship with Him.

By acknowledging our sins and seeking God's forgiveness, we open the door to experiencing His full blessings, receiving His guidance, and deepening our relationship with Him, and mature in our faith.

Here are some verses on God not hearing prayer because of sin.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have heard." This verse suggests that if we harbor sin in our hearts, it will prevent our prayers from being heard.

John 9:31 says, "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him." This verse states that God does not listen to the prayers of sinners, but he does listen to the prayers of those who worship him and do his will.

1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."

Proverbs 15:29 says, "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous."

Isaiah 59:2 says, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." This verse explicitly states that sin separates us from God and prevents our prayers from being heard.

Sin puts up a wall in our relationship. When we repent of our sins and turn to God, he is always willing to forgive us, restore our fellowship and hear our prayers.

Also remember, doubts also hinder prayer...
James 1:6-7 says, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that one must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord."

Also remember selfishness hinders prayers...
James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend it on your own pleasures."

We need to align our prayers to "His Will". Jesus shared that with us even in Gethsemane. That our desire should be for God's Will to be done. It has the best plan, blessing and outcome, even if we go through hardships for it to be completed.

Jesus "went a little farther, fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" Matthew 26:39

Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Proverbs 16:9
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps

James 4:13-15
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, make some money, and then we will buy some things, make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then fades away."

In the same way in the same line of thinking, sin, selfishness, correction and...trials, sufferings, problems etc cause us to trust in God and not in ourselves, nor our plans and our ways. God will be with us through all the storms and it is all for our good, His good and His plans in the end.

James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Even when we do wrong, God's loving correction has good at the end of the plan; whether it comes directly from Him or through others. 

Scripture and prayer go hand in hand.

Related Resources
Believers Correction
Church Discipline