What Does the Bible Say About Barriers To Following God?

Romans 3:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

John 15:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ...

Matthew 7:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Revelation 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

1 John 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

2 Peter 3:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

James 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 1:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 9:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 2:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Romans 14:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 7:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Luke 12:48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 12:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Amos 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Isaiah 59:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 53:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

2 Samuel 20:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.

Genesis 18:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Genesis 3:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

64 Bible Verses about Barriers To Following God

Romans 3:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 9:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 1:18-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 12:48 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Amos 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 59:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 53:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 20:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 18:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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