Hindrance 4: Sinning against God
1 Cor 5:1, 4-5 "It is actually reported that there is
sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not
occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife… When
you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am
with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is
present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful
nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of
the Lord." NIV
One of the members in the Corinthian church was flagrantly
living in sin. He had incest with his father's wife. The
church preferred to be silent on that issue. Paul had no
choice but to address this issue by letter.
2 Cor 2:6-7 "The punishment inflicted on him by the majority
is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and
comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive
sorrow." NIV
Later the sickness the man contracted became so severe that
he started to despair for his life. Paul wrote again and
urged the church members of Corinth to forgive and comfort
this man. No healing was possible without forgiveness.
In situations like these, a sick person needs to repent and
ask God for His forgiveness. He needs as well to ask for
forgiveness from anyone he has offended. Only then healing
can occur.
