Barriers to Blessing

Key Text: Mark 6:5–6

In Mark 6:5, we find a sobering truth: “And he could there do no mighty work…”
Imagine that—Jesus, full of power and compassion, ready to heal, save, and bless—but He could not because of their spirit. The people’s unbelief, their attitudes, and their hearts became barriers to the very blessings they needed.

What if the same is true today? Could it be that God wants to do a work in our churches, in our homes, and in our lives—but He is hindered by the spirit we carry?

Let’s look at five barriers to God’s blessing, and ask Him to help us tear them down.

1. A Rebellious Spirit

Sometimes the greatest obstacle is not what we’re facing—but the heart with which we face it.
A rebellious spirit resists God’s Word, His conviction, and His direction.

Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15–17). Perhaps He repeated it because Peter’s heart needed softening after his denial. Likewise, our hearts can grow hard, stubborn, and unresponsive.

Prayer:
“Lord, soften my heart to Your Spirit. Make me willing and obedient.”

2. A Worldly Spirit

Paul once had a close friend and co-laborer named Demas. But near the end of Paul’s life, he wrote in heartbreak: “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…” (2 Timothy 4:10).

What a tragedy. Demas missed out on the joys of ministry, the front lines of revival, the memories of miracles. Why? Because the world tugged at his heart harder than the will of God.

Let’s not trade eternal impact for temporary pleasures.
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are still stealing God’s best from His people.

Prayer:
“Lord, purge me of worldliness. Make me heavenly-minded and heart-deep in Your work.”

3. An Unforgiving Spirit

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:32, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

How many times does the Spirit of God pass by because we are harboring bitterness?
We cannot expect the power of God to flow freely in a heart or a church where grudges linger and love is withheld.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to forgive others today as You forgave me.”

4. A Critical Spirit

In Mark 6, the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching—but just a verse later, they said, “Is not this the carpenter?”and were offended at Him.

That’s what a critical spirit does—it finds fault where there is faith.
Many have been discouraged from serving God because someone criticized their effort, their style, or their personality.

Let’s remember: Criticism is often the cousin of jealousy.
Constructive feedback helps us grow, but a critical spirit tears others down and grieves the heart of God.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to support the ministry—and all of its servants. Make me an encourager, not a critic.”

In Closing:

We’ve seen the barriers… but we don’t have to live like that.

What if instead of a covetous spirit, we were generous?
What if instead of a rebellious spirit, we were tender and obedient?
What if instead of being worldly, we were heavenly minded?
What if instead of being unforgiving, we forgave like Jesus?
What if instead of being critical, we looked for reasons to say thank you?

Let’s ask God to remove the barriers—and open the floodgates of His blessings in our church, in our families, and in our hearts.