Three Barriers Between You and God – Dr. Charles Stanley

Intimacy with God is not something that happens by accident or by simply going through the motions of faith. There are three main barriers that keep us from truly knowing God in a deep and personal way: pride, rebellion, and hurry. Pride tells us we can handle life on our own, that we don’t need to humble ourselves before God or seek His help. It’s a subtle but powerful force that keeps us from kneeling before the One who gives us every breath. When we choose our own way, our own relationships, or our own desires over God, we are letting pride rule our hearts.

Rebellion is the second barrier. As long as there is unconfessed sin in our lives, intimacy with God is impossible. Just as a relationship between a husband and wife cannot be close if one is living in rebellion, so too our relationship with God is hindered by sin. We may pray, but if we are holding onto sin, we will not experience the closeness we long for. God is not the problem—our unwillingness to surrender is.

The third barrier is being in a hurry. Intimacy with God takes time—time to read His Word, to meditate, to ask questions, to listen, and to reflect. If we rush through our spiritual lives, we miss the opportunity to hear from God and to grow in our love for Him. The more we listen, the more we hear; the more we hear, the more we want to listen. Just as in any loving relationship, the desire to listen grows as love deepens.

God has already given us His Son, and with Him, He will not withhold any good thing from us. The invitation is open: start now. Don’t wait until it’s too late. One day, we will all stand before God—will He be a stranger to us, or will we have known Him intimately in this life? Let us not settle for anything less than the deep, abiding relationship He desires for us. May God create in us a holy dissatisfaction with anything less than true intimacy with Him.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Pride blocks intimacy with God Pride convinces us that we can manage life on our own, making us reluctant to humble ourselves before God. This self-reliance keeps us from seeking His presence and acknowledging our dependence on Him. True intimacy begins when we lay down our pride and recognize our need for God in every area of life. [00:18]
• 2. Rebellion and unconfessed sin hinder closeness Holding onto sin or living in rebellion creates a barrier between us and God. Just as broken relationships on earth cannot thrive in the presence of ongoing rebellion, our relationship with God suffers when we refuse to surrender. Intimacy is restored when we confess, repent, and allow God to cleanse us. [01:10]
• 3. Hurry undermines spiritual depth A rushed life leaves little room for meaningful connection with God. Intimacy requires time—time to read, meditate, listen, and reflect. When we slow down and make space for God, we begin to hear His voice more clearly and experience a growing desire to be with Him. [02:01]
• 4. God desires to give us all good things God has already given us His Son, the greatest gift, and with Him, He promises to provide everything we truly need. This assurance should fuel our trust and deepen our pursuit of Him, knowing that He withholds no good thing from those who seek Him. [03:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - The Barrier of Pride
• [00:49] - Choosing Others Over God
• [01:10] - The Barrier of Rebellion
• [01:23] - Broken Relationships and Intimacy
• [01:38] - The Barrier of Hurry
• [02:01] - The Importance of Time with God
• [02:19] - Meditating and Listening to God
• [02:36] - Growing in Love and Desire
• [02:56] - God’s Willingness to Speak
• [03:17] - God Gives All Good Things
• [03:38] - Examining Our Relationship with God
• [04:03] - Facing Eternity and Knowing God
• [04:26] - Impacting Others Through Intimacy
• [04:44] - The Gift of Relationship
• [05:01] - A Prayer for Deeper Hunger

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Intimacy with God

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### Bible Reading

- Romans 8:32 (ESV):
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

- Psalm 66:18 (ESV):
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."

- James 4:6-8 (ESV):
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 8:32, what does Paul say about God’s willingness to give us good things?
2. In Psalm 66:18, what is the result of holding onto sin in our hearts?
3. What are the three main barriers to intimacy with God mentioned in the sermon? [02:01]
4. In James 4:6-8, what actions are we called to take in order to draw near to God?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does pride keep us from seeking intimacy with God, according to the sermon? How does this relate to the call to humility in James 4:6? [00:18]
2. The sermon compares unconfessed sin in our lives to rebellion in a marriage or family. Why is unconfessed sin such a strong barrier to closeness with God? [01:10]
3. The sermon says that hurry undermines spiritual depth. What does it mean to “be in a hurry” in our relationship with God, and why does this keep us from intimacy? [02:01]
4. How does the assurance that God “will not withhold any good thing from us” (Romans 8:32) encourage us to pursue a deeper relationship with Him? [03:17]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says pride can make us think we can handle life on our own. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to admit your need for God? What would it look like to lay down your pride in those areas this week? [00:18]
2. Is there any unconfessed sin or area of rebellion in your life that you sense is blocking your closeness with God? What is one step you can take to bring this into the light and seek forgiveness? [01:10]
3. Think about your daily or weekly routine. Where do you find yourself “in a hurry” and rushing through time with God? What is one practical change you could make to slow down and listen for His voice? [02:01]
4. The sermon says, “The more you listen, the more you’re going to hear.” What are some ways you can practice listening to God this week—through Scripture, prayer, or quiet reflection? [02:36]
5. The message challenges us not to settle for less than true intimacy with God. What does “holy dissatisfaction” look like in your spiritual life? Is there an area where you feel God is inviting you to go deeper? [04:26]
6. The sermon asks, “Will God be a stranger to you, or will you have known Him intimately in this life?” How would you answer that question today? What would you like your answer to be a year from now? [04:03]
7. God has already given us His Son and promises to give us all we need. How does this truth affect your trust in Him, especially when you feel like He is withholding something you want? [03:17]