What Can Hinder The Church

A church does not usually become weak overnight; rather, it is often crippled gradually by spiritual neglect and departures from God’s will. One of the greatest dangers is the loss of love among brethren. Jesus warned that “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). When love fades, unity is fractured, patience is lost, and the church becomes vulnerable to division and discouragement. The apostle Paul emphasized that without love, even the greatest works amount to nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). A congregation may appear active, but without genuine love for God and one another, its strength is severely weakened.

Another crippling factor is a disregard for sound doctrine. Paul warned that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). When a church compromises truth to please men or follow popular trends, it loses its spiritual foundation. Jesus taught that those who abide in His word are truly His disciples (John 8:31). Departing from biblical teaching, whether in worship, organization, or moral standards, leads to confusion and spiritual instability, leaving the church unable to stand firmly against error.

Spiritual apathy can also cripple a church. The Lord rebuked the church at Laodicea for being lukewarm, saying, “because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). When members become complacent in worship, Bible study, and service, the church loses its zeal. The early church continued steadfastly in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42). When that devotion weakens, growth, both spiritual and numerical, inevitably suffers.

Unresolved conflict and division further hinder the work of the church. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians that there be “no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Strife, gossip, and personal agendas can damage trust and disrupt peace. Scripture reminds us that “where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16). A divided church spends more time fighting within than reaching the lost without.

Finally, a church can be crippled by a lack of evangelistic focus. Jesus commanded His followers to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). When a congregation turns inward and neglects its mission, it becomes stagnant. Paul declared, “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). A church that fails to teach, reach, and save souls is not fulfilling its God-given purpose.

In contrast, a healthy church is built on love, truth, zeal, unity, and a commitment to spreading the gospel. By remaining faithful to God’s word and devoted to His work, the church can avoid the things that cripple and instead grow stronger to the glory of God (Ephesians 4:15–16).

God Bless