When does my sin block my prayers according to Scripture? 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep 48)

Mar 28, 2025

Explore how ongoing sin can hinder prayer, drawing from Psalm 66:18. Delve into the essential definitions of a church and the discussions around limited atonement using John 17:9 and John 3:16. Hear about discerning divine messages in relationships and the differences between agape and phileo love. The classification of non-sapien hominids sparks intriguing questions about humanity's origins. Enjoy a mix of humor and serious insight into church dynamics and accountability.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Sin and Prayer

Cherishing sin, making it an idol, hinders prayers.
Active, unrepentant sin can affect prayer life but doesn't always block God's hearing.

ADVICE

Don't Give Up

Don't give up on seeking God when struggling with sin.
Turn your heart to God for restoration and forgiveness.

INSIGHT

Biblical Definition of Church

A church constitutes a gathering of believers, not just one person.
Size isn't crucial, but enough people for diverse spiritual gifts and leadership is ideal.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Jonathan Schkade

This book uses colorful illustrations and rhyming text to teach children about the parable of the workers in the vineyard, emphasizing the lesson of salvation and God's generosity. It is part of the Arch Book series, which presents popular Bible stories in an engaging and easy-to-remember format.

Acts

None

Peter

The Book of Acts, a sequel to the Gospel of Luke, narrates the history of the early Christian church following the ascension of Jesus Christ. It details the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, the missionary journeys of Paul, and the growth of the Christian community. The book highlights the power of the Holy Spirit, the persecution faced by early Christians, and the importance of faith and perseverance. It also showcases the diversity of the early church and the challenges of maintaining unity and purpose amidst adversity. The book serves as an inspiring account of the early church's growth and its impact on the world.

1 John

John the Apostle

The Book of 1 John is a pastoral and polemical letter aimed at combating the heresy of Gnosticism, which was emerging in the early Christian church. John writes to reassure believers of their faith in Jesus Christ and to provide clear guidelines on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. The letter emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and with other believers, the necessity of confessing sins, and the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus. It also warns against false teachers and antichrists, and it underscores the principles of love, holiness, and security in the Christian life[1][2][3].

Isaiah

null

Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah is a major prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It's attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in Judah during the 8th century BCE. The book contains a collection of oracles, poems, and prophecies addressing various aspects of Judah's history and the future. Key themes include God's judgment on Israel's sins, the promise of a future messiah, and the restoration of God's people. Isaiah's powerful imagery and evocative language have had a profound impact on religious thought and literature for centuries.

Revelation

Jen Wilkin

James

Percival Everett

Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Today's Time Stamps:

1. 0:23 {My Sin Blocks My Prayers?} Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Does this mean God will ignore a person's prayers if they have active, ongoing sin in their life? How should we understand this verse in context and alongside other Scriptures about God hearing prayers?
2. 9:07 {Biblically Defining a “Church”} Biblically (not legally), what constitutes a church? If someone were to host a weekly Bible study and do some volunteer work with just a few people, would that be considered a small church service?
3. 15:29 {Support for Limited Atonement?} How does John 17:9 work alongside John 3:16? Could John 17:9 be a valid point toward Limited Atonement? I do not want to believe in Limited Atonement, but I see verses like this and wonder.
4. 24:40 {Discerning God’s Voice & Direction} My girlfriend recently told me that God told her to break up with me. She got us "promise bracelets" that promise that we will get married. Is what she heard really from God?
5. 29:26 {Agape vs. Phileo Love} Are agape and phileo love synonymous in Greek? John 3:19 & John 12:43 use agape for loving darkness and men's praise, respectively, while John 5:20 uses phileo to describe the Father's love for the Son.
6. 34:29 {Non-Sapien Hominids: Thinking Biblically} How do non-sapien hominids (Neanderthal, Denisovan, Floresiensis, etc.) fit into creation? Do they have the Imago Dei? Are they animals?
7. 39:19 {The Apostle John Still Alive?} Have you ever heard the theory that the Apostle John might still be alive and be the second witness in the Tribulation? I found the arguments interesting, as conjecture.
8. 45:47 {Is Anointing Oil for Today?} Should we still use oil anointing today (used by elders praying for the sick)? What would that look like?
9. 52:00 {An Error in Translation?} In the NIV translation, Deuteronomy 22:28-30 uses the word “rape,” but other translations imply consent. Is this a legitimate translation error?
10. 57:16 {Are Charitable Tax Deductions Sinful?} Is claiming our charitable donations on our taxes “receiving our reward on Earth” (Matthew 6:1-5)?

Helpful Links:

My FULL teaching on divorce and remarriage according to the Bible: Click Here

My original video on Limited Atonement and Universalism, and why I see both as unbiblical: Click Here

After that original video, I got a response from James White, and I included his video and my response in a longer video focused just on the topic of Limited Atonement HERE.

I do this live stream most Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. You're welcome to join.
To ask a question, you'll need to follow these instructions:
1. Don't post your question before you see me live on camera.
2. Post questions as comments in the LIVE chat at the beginning of the stream.
3. Post your question with "Q" at the beginning so we can easily identify that you are sending it in as a question for me and not just a comment in the chat.
4. Try to be as clear as possible so I won't misunderstand the question. Keep in mind that I don't know anything about your question other than what you type in that short comment.
5. Include specific verse references when possible or applicable.
6. Only one question submitted per subscriber, per stream, please. Submitting the same question into the chat a few times is OK.
7. Please understand that we don't strictly take the first 10 questions submitted. Our team takes several factors into consideration.
8. Check the "Clip Search" on BibleThinker.org in advance to see if your topic of interest has already been covered in a past session.

My website is searchable and all the video and audio content is free:
https://BibleThinker.org