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“…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 12:1b

I want to continue examining the text found in Hebrews Chapter 12. Let’s focus on the message of running a race! The author encourages us: “…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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” What a different, yet positive view of sin. 

The message is to look at and describe sin not as something you wallow in and have a major pity party over, but to see it as something that entangles you. Unfortunately, our lives can become full of bitterness towards our neighbor; unforgiveness, gossip, greed and hoarding, to name a few. Also included is never giving to anyone, never serving, never helping, always angry, never trusting, or always fearful. These types of negative traits are meant to encumber us from being able to run the race that was set before us. To use an analogy, I saw a runway show that featured a fashion trend called, “extreme layering.” This fashion trend looks like you are wearing every piece of clothing you own. When you are entangled, you experience extreme multiple layers of ungodly weights that negatively affect your life and the lives of others connected to you. 

Friend, get rid of all the bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, malice, and fear. Don’t let these characteristics entangle you, weigh you down, or hold you back from the progress God wants for you in life. Let them go and run the race that God has set before you so you can have victory in your life.

Prayer


Father, help me to recognize and set aside situations meant to hinder me from running my race.

Reflection


Do you see sin as something that entangles you or do you have a major pity party?

If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.  

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2 Responses

  1. Need clarification of hoarding. Is collecting hoarding? Is keeping family records (genealogy) a type of hoarding? Is saving for the future hoarding? Clarify, please.

    1. Collecting is not hoarding. Collecting is part of passions like sea shells or coins. Keep your family records. Save for the future. These are good intention and admirable things. Hoarding is obsessive-compulsive. It’s about being selfish and keeping everything that does not add to your life. Medically it is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. So, go ahead and save for the future, keep your family records, and be generous with what you have and who you share it with.

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