Obstruction of Justice: Are You Guilty?

Obstruction of Justice. Obstruction of Justice. Those words, when stated together mean something. But what? What does Obstruction of Justice mean?  Everybody's claiming they know what it means and how to apply it, but do they?  

When I hear the term, I think of it in twos.  I think about the words; the word, "obstruction," and the word, "justice".  I also think about it as a lawyer and as a Christian, that is legally and biblically.  

The word "obstruction" means a barrier, obstacle, interference, hinderance, or something that prevents progress. An obstruction is a stumbling block. The word "justice," on the other hand, means having to do with rightness or righteousness, and something that is justifiable.  

When you put those two words together, and use it legally, you get the the term, "Obstruction of Justice".  The term means the illegal act of impeding the administration of justice. Black's Law Dictionary says that Obstruction of Justice is carried out by doing things like giving "knowingly false assertions, ... hindering a witness from appearing, assaulting a process server, influencing jurors, or obstructing courts orders or criminal investigations." 

Interestingly, the law dictionary states something notabke about Obstruction of Justice. It says that Obstruction of Justice is a twofold act that is at the same time "intended to play on human frailty" while it also and is intended to "deflect and deter (a) court from performance of its duty" to carry out the law.  

So, that tells me that Obstruction of Justice is not just a mere act. It is a punishable act that plays on the diminished state of a human being. It is intended to ensure that a weak human being is kept away from the proper administration of the law, and is denied the chance to be justified, or made right.  

Well, now. That obviously leads me right to the Bible.  

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:23-24 NLT  

Many of us have heard this scripture and we even quote it, but have you ever realized that this scripture provides the spiritual antidote for Obstruction of Justice?  

You see, you and I are sinners by nature. Every one of us is in the frail human state of sin. We are all born that way. You know what I mean. You know how your cute little baby throws her toys and smacks you in the face when you get in close for a cochie cochie coo moment? Who taught her that? You certainly did not. She was born that way. It is inherent. She was born frail, with a weakened nature. A nature weakened by sin. A nature weakened by the tendency to do those things that are displeasing to God.  

No matter how we may try, on our own we cannot make ourselves right. We want to. We try to, but as the apostle Paul said, this human frailty is a "principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” (Romans 7:21) Where does this come from? Who is obstructing my way to righteousness, and to God's justice? Who is making false accusations against me? Who is influencing me?  

Certainly we can, and should blame this spiritual Obstruction of Justice on Satan. He is our ultimate accuser, the consummate liar, and a constant false witness against us. He is the embodiment of the Obstruction of God's Justice. He, of course , does not want God's justice to be carried out in my life or yours. But it is not only Satan. You see, that scripture in Romans 3:23-24 tells me that I participate with Satan when I allow him to obstruct God's justice in my life and I fail to ask God for help.  When I believe Satan's false accusations, allow myself to be influenced by his tricks, and let him hinder the gospel and witness of Jesus Christ in my life, then I am an accomplice in this spiritual crime of Obstruction of Justice. 

But if I am predisposed to sin; if I am frail and susceptible to these lies, and tricks, what am I supposed to do? Is there no hope for me?   Am I doomed to be forever incapable of living the glorious life God intends for me?  Do I have to remain subject to this Obstruction of Justice? Is there no way for me, or you to be on the right side of justice?  

No! No! No!  Absolutely not, my friend. 

As the scripture says, even though we are sinners, God's justice is still available to us. How? Through the grace given to us by Jesus. Through grace, the gift of God, we are able to overcome. The Obstruction of Justice that Satan intended was demolished by Jesus, who bought our freedom when He died on the Cross. He died not because you were already righteous, He died to purchase your righteousness. By His death, the obstruction is done away and you may now freely and justifiably walk into the rightness of God.  

But that grace is available to you only if you are willing to admit you are weak and believe that you need Jesus to help you overcome your human frailty. Will you accept Jesus' offer? I pray that you will.  

If you are ready to overcome the obstruction of sin in your life and walk in a God's justice, you can accept the offer of God's grace by repeating after me:  

Dear God, I believe that I am a frail sinner. I cannot overcome my sin on my own. I need You Jesus to free me from this weak state that I am in. I believe that when You died on the Cross, You overcame the obstructions that were in the way of me being in a right relationship with God. And now, I declare You as Savior and Lord of my life. I give my life to you, Jesus. In You Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

 

Be Well, Be Blessed, Trust the Savior, 

Ms. KimParis

© Kim Paris Upshaw 2017

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