by Alan Langstaff

One of my favorite passages in Scripture is Hebrews chapter 12. The author of Hebrews, whoever that may be, writes about what we may call “The Race of Faith.” In this passage, the writer begins with a reminder that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses – i.e. in heaven above – like spectators watching the Superbowl or some other sporting event. The author goes on to outline the way, that now it is our turn, this is how we should run “the race of faith.”

He begins by challenging us to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us (the old phrase was the “besetting sin”). What follows is a series of words of direction and encouragement on how to run the race.

Let us just look at this one word. “The sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV).

ENSNARES

What is the sin that so easily ensnares us? It refers to the point that most people, if they are honest, know that individuals have a particular sin that they commit more than others. This will often vary from person to person. A particular sin may ensnare a person but is not a regular problem in someone else’s life; hence it is often called “the besetting sin” because it besets a particular person regularly or even continually.

The Scripture details many passages that fit the description of “besetting sins.” Let me just mention one such passage and leave it to you to search out other Scriptures. Galatians chapter 5 verse 19 gives us a list of the sins of the flesh, what is also described as “the works of the flesh”, and is as follows –

“adultery (which may be simply “lust”), fornication (which covers a whole range of sexual sins or thoughts), uncleanness (i.e. not “holy”), lewdness, idolatry (which can refer to many things that we idolize), sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand… that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
(Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV – italics and emphasis mine)

Now note a point from this passage of Galatians.

It speaks of sins that so easily ensnare us. The point is that these sins are sins that people easily fall prey to. They very easily become regular snares that people fall into. Consequently, they are not referring to the occasional sin but to a regular sin that people commit. A pattern or a practice.

OBSERVATION

If we are honest then we have to admit that we are conscious of them in our own lives as well as observing them in other people’s conduct. There has to be honesty otherwise we live in denial.

We know of people who continually get angry to mention one such example.

Again, if we are honest about ourselves we will probably have to admit that there is often a particular sin that we continually have to battle against.

So how do we overcome the besetting sins in our lives that ensnares us?

KEYS TO OVERCOMING BESETTING SINS

Each person is an individual and how they deal with these besetting sins will vary from person to person. Nevertheless, let me suggest some keys to overcoming them:

1) Recognize –
the presence of besetting sins in our lives. As already said this requires us to be absolutely honest and not live in denial. This is often hard to face and as always requires repentance.

2) Realize –
that we have weakness and we need to draw upon His strength. We are weak but He is strong.

3) Pray –
This is often the last thing we do, but when the temptation to sin comes upon us we need to pray and seek His strength to overcome this particular sin.

4) Word –
Recognize that we need to be people of the Word and fill our lives with the Word. The Word is a two-edged sword and we should learn how to use it.

5) Worship –
There is a power that is released in a time of worship, whether it is when we are by ourselves and we put a worship tape on, or we are together with other believers worshiping the Lord.

6) Others –
It may require us to ask for the help of others so that we do not fight all by ourselves. This can be a friend, or it can be in the life of a small group. Sometimes a person needs to see a counselor.

7) Believe –
This is a battle of faith. We need to build upon the victory that Christ has already won for us on Calvary’s cross. Faith is the victory.

THE STORY OF TWO DOGS

A man was visiting a friend and when he was in his home he noticed that the friend had two dogs out in the yard. Then he noticed that for some reason the dogs started to fight. So he asked his friend, “I see your two dogs are fighting, so tell me which one wins.”
The friend pauses and then simply said, “It is the one I feed the most.”

As it was for dogs, so it is for us. What do you feed your life on – your mind, your body, your everything? What you feed upon will usually be the one that wins the battle. So what are you feeding your life on?