Besetting Sins
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
In this verse, the writer of the book of Hebrews is speaking to each of us about besetting sins. The word "besetting" means "attacking from all sides or to trouble persistently." What is that one sin that you can name right now, that if you took your eyes off Jesus, you could very easily fall right back into? We all struggle with something. Not one of us have yet arrived. I don't know what that sin is for you...it could be deception, spending money on your own selfish desires, pornography, lust, greed, alcohol, drugs, sex, food, or stealing. We must never think "I would never do that again," because as soon as you think you won't stumble, you may end up doing the very thing you said you would not do. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. satan will come at you and it will usually be subtle. He is very sneaky and deceptive. He is the master at what he does and he does it well. He is a liar and is the father of lies. John 8:44. He has been deceiving people ever since the fall. He knows his time is short now, so wickedness will only increase. If he can con you into keeping "that sin" or "that thought" secret...then he has won.I heard Joyce Meyer say once that anything you feel you have to hide is a sin.That is why it is so important to stay in God's word-it is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 The mind is where it all begins. We are told to "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:9-10 Paul, who I believe was one of the greatest men of God said, "Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 Friend, you may have moments where you struggle...you may give in to sin. We are in a battle between our flesh and our spirits. The flesh wants what it wants, and the spirit wants the things of God. Remember though, we have an advocate in Christ...He stands at the right hand of the Father interceding for His own. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. This is a promise! God will not leave you where you are at. He will continue to grow you and sometimes discipline you, but it is ALWAYS for your good. He knows our thoughts, He knows the way we will take and if we will listen for His voice, He will guide us and direct our steps. Paul stated that he forgets what is behind....and presses on for the goal of heaven. That is what you and I are to do. Once you have confessed your sin or in other words agreed with God that it is sin and turn from it, He has forgiven and cleansed you. There is no need to dwell on it anymore. God has made you beautiful....He makes everything beautiful in His time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He loves you. He sent Jesus, His own Son, to die for you and for me so that He, the God of all the universe could have and intimate relationship with us. "For God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
In this verse, the writer of the book of Hebrews is speaking to each of us about besetting sins. The word "besetting" means "attacking from all sides or to trouble persistently." What is that one sin that you can name right now, that if you took your eyes off Jesus, you could very easily fall right back into? We all struggle with something. Not one of us have yet arrived. I don't know what that sin is for you...it could be deception, spending money on your own selfish desires, pornography, lust, greed, alcohol, drugs, sex, food, or stealing. We must never think "I would never do that again," because as soon as you think you won't stumble, you may end up doing the very thing you said you would not do. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. satan will come at you and it will usually be subtle. He is very sneaky and deceptive. He is the master at what he does and he does it well. He is a liar and is the father of lies. John 8:44. He has been deceiving people ever since the fall. He knows his time is short now, so wickedness will only increase. If he can con you into keeping "that sin" or "that thought" secret...then he has won.I heard Joyce Meyer say once that anything you feel you have to hide is a sin.That is why it is so important to stay in God's word-it is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 The mind is where it all begins. We are told to "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:9-10 Paul, who I believe was one of the greatest men of God said, "Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 Friend, you may have moments where you struggle...you may give in to sin. We are in a battle between our flesh and our spirits. The flesh wants what it wants, and the spirit wants the things of God. Remember though, we have an advocate in Christ...He stands at the right hand of the Father interceding for His own. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. This is a promise! God will not leave you where you are at. He will continue to grow you and sometimes discipline you, but it is ALWAYS for your good. He knows our thoughts, He knows the way we will take and if we will listen for His voice, He will guide us and direct our steps. Paul stated that he forgets what is behind....and presses on for the goal of heaven. That is what you and I are to do. Once you have confessed your sin or in other words agreed with God that it is sin and turn from it, He has forgiven and cleansed you. There is no need to dwell on it anymore. God has made you beautiful....He makes everything beautiful in His time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He loves you. He sent Jesus, His own Son, to die for you and for me so that He, the God of all the universe could have and intimate relationship with us. "For God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
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