In the interconnections of faith and divine omnipotence, the Bible paints a vivid picture of Jehovah, the “Lord God Almighty,” who possesses an attribute unmatched in its grandeur – omnipotence. Nothing is too hard for God, and His divine will shall always come to fruition (Genesis 17:1; 18:14).
However, in a limited sense, humans can restrict the outpouring of God’s power and blessings. This limitation primarily pertains to God’s work through conditional means, such as the salvation of one’s soul. When we falter in obedience to His word, we inadvertently curtail the saving power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). This article aims to explore various ways in which we, as humans, unwittingly limit God.
Men Limit God Through Unbelief:
One of the most profound ways we limit God is through our unbelief. In the annals of history, we find the nation of Israel, a people chosen by God and promised abundant blessings. Yet, many of these blessings remained unrealized due to their persistent unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19).
For instance, the generation that left the leadership of Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land due to their unbelief (Deuteronomy 1:19-36). Subsequent generations faced similar consequences for their lack of faith. The point to glean here is that God has countless blessings in store for those who walk upright (Psalm 84:11). However, these blessings are often contingent upon faith.
In the realm of salvation, faith is an indispensable component (Romans 1:16-17; John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6). Our unbelief, therefore, acts as a barrier that limits God’s ability to bestow His gifts upon us. It’s important to note that God earnestly desires the salvation of all humanity (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 3:20; John 5:39-40), but our lack of faith hampers His will.
Men Limit God Through Disobedience:
Sin has an insidious way of preventing us from experiencing the full measure of God’s blessings (Isaiah 59:1-2). Consider the case of Naaman, who remained unhealed until he obediently followed God’s instructions (2 Kings 5:1ff). Obedience, as we see, paves the way for true life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). When we choose disobedience, we limit our participation in the abundance of life God offers.
In various aspects of life, disobedience can hinder God’s blessings. In marriage, for instance, refusing to fulfill the roles of husband and wife as commanded by God can turn a heavenly home into a living hell. In the workplace, adherence to the Lord’s commandments regarding work ethics leads to prosperity, while disobedience often results in instability or unemployment.
Men Limit God’s Blessings to the Church:
The Church is intended to be God’s instrument for sharing His word with a world shrouded in darkness. It is described as the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). However, there are several ways in which we, as members of the Church, limit what God can achieve through it.
Factors limiting God’s work through the Church include:
Poor attendance (Hebrews 10:25): Neglecting regular attendance hampers our spiritual growth and encourages others to join. Stingy giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7): Inadequate contributions limit the Church’s ability to spread the gospel and fulfill its mission. Unpreparedness for worship: Failure to engage in pre-worship study and participation diminishes the spiritual benefits of Bible classes and services.
We Limit God By Our Failure to Pray As We Should:
Prayer is a privilege bestowed upon God’s children (Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 21:22; James 4:2). Many blessings remain unattained simply because we fail to ask (Jeremiah 33:3). We must approach prayer with unwavering faith (James 1:6) and expect answers to our petitions (Psalm 37:4,5).
Every blessing God has promised to His children is worth pursuing with unwavering faith and obedience. Let us not limit God’s work among us through our obstinacy. Instead, may we strive to remove the barriers we have erected, allowing His boundless blessings to flow freely into our lives.
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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