On a couple of occasions, Paul mentioned that he was hindered from getting to some places or having some things done. To the Romans, there was no explanation other than the claim that he was hindered. “For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.” Romans 15:22 NKJV. When he wrote to the Thessalonians, he was more specific. “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.” I Thessalonians 2:18 NKJV. From here, we can safely assume that it was Satan who hindered him from going to the other place as well. The good news is that the hindrance was not for ever. We know that he eventually carried the gospel to Rome, and he finished on a strong note as he testified in his epistle to Timothy.

In reality, the works of the flesh do the groundwork for Satan’s ultimate onslaught…individuals have to take deliberate steps to rid themselves of them.

The key lesson for us is that if Paul encountered some hindrances, Satan will not spare anyone. He will try to hinder us from our purposes in God. The additional lesson is that it is not only Satan that can hinder us, the works of the flesh are also hinderers. In reality, the works of the flesh do the groundwork for Satan’s ultimate onslaught. In our text, we have a sample of the works of the flesh – bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice. The more they are prevalent in a life the less effective that person becomes in the things of God. These works of the flesh and others that are not mentioned here do not expire on their own; individuals have to take deliberate steps to rid themselves of them. In this regard, we all need the Holy Spirit to circumcise us.