HOW DOES SATAN HINDER THE GOSPEL?

You might wonder: Can Satan really prevent people from preaching the Gospel?

The answer is yes. Scripture clearly shows this reality.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 (NIV) says:
“But, brothers and sisters, when we were separated from you for a short time not in person, but in heart we were eager with great longing to see you again. We wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, did, more than once but Satan blocked our way.”

Here, Paul explicitly reveals that Satan actively obstructed his mission to preach the Gospel. This underscores a key theological truth: Satan is the adversary of God’s redemptive plan, specifically targeting the spread of the Gospel (the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ).

Satan’s Opposition to the Gospel

Satan, often called the accuser or enemy (see John 8:44, Revelation 12:10), works tirelessly to stop the message of salvation from reaching people. He knows the Gospel carries the power to save sinners

(Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” NIV)

and so he fights against its proclamation.

His ultimate goal is to keep people in sin, separated from God, so they perish (John 10:10). He wants to prevent anyone from hearing the life changing message of Jesus and being reconciled with God.

How Satan Hinders the Gospel

Satan hinders Gospel work by causing obstacles and hardships that derail those who go to preach. These obstacles can be natural, logistical, physical, or spiritual.

For example, Paul and his companions’ journey to Thessalonica was blocked by circumstances beyond their control such as lack of transport, storms, sickness, or theft (see Acts 17 for the Thessalonica mission).Paul describes these kinds of trials vividly in 2 Corinthians 11:25–27 (ESV)

“Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

These sufferings show the reality of spiritual warfare behind missionary work. The shipwrecks and beatings were not just physical hardships but attacks from Satan seeking to thwart God’s mission.

Biblical Example: Jesus’ Disciples and the Storm

Similarly, when Jesus’ disciples crossed the sea to the region of the Gadarenes, Satan tried to prevent their mission by sending a violent storm (Matthew 8:23–27, NIV):

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples woke him and said, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

This story illustrates Satan’s attempts to stop the advance of God’s kingdom, especially when deliverance and salvation are imminent as with the two demon possessed men living among the tombs who were about to be set free (Matthew 8:28–34).

What Can We Do?

Prayer is the primary weapon Jesus gave us to overcome Satan’s hindrances. Jesus commanded His disciples to pray to avoid falling into temptation (Luke 22:40, 46). Prayer weakens Satan’s power and clears the way for the Gospel.

Jesus Himself, though fully God, often withdrew to pray (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12), modeling the vital importance of prayer in spiritual warfare.

The Role of Every Christian

Prayer for the Gospel is not just the responsibility of preachers, pastors, or missionaries. It’s the calling of every believer (Ephesians 6:18):

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (NIV)

Your prayers support and protect those who go out to preach. When you pray and fast for Gospel workers, you help dismantle Satan’s plans whether sickness, theft, or other attacks and become an active part of advancing God’s kingdom.

The Danger of Neglecting Prayer

If you say, “I’m not a preacher or evangelist; this isn’t my role,” and neglect prayer and support for the Gospel, you inadvertently strengthen the forces of darkness.

Paul knew this well. After explaining how Satan hindered his journey, he urged the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV):
“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.”

And in his second letter:

2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV):
“Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”

Satan actively works to block the preaching of the Gospel through various means natural obstacles, persecution, and spiritual attacks. But God has given us prayer as a powerful weapon to overcome these barriers.

Will you join in prayer for the Gospel to advance?

May the Lord bless and strengthen us all as we labor together in His mission.

Print this post