It’s Difficult To Run With These Weights

Text: Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Ankle weights help build lower body muscles, increase calorie burn and bone density. It is not very convenient to run with ankle weights- in fact, you’re forced to make low impact movements while wearing ankle weights.

Today’s text points out that it is impossible for a Christian to run and successfully finish his appointed course of Christian race while wearing certain weights or while habitually indulging in certain sins.

The verse suggests that every believer has a peculiar sin he/she is often prone to- a sinful act that easily gets the best of someone.

Interestingly the sins that fall into this ‘easy-to-fall’ group, are not often what would be considered hideous- like murder or adultery, many times they’re actions that can easily be overlooked as sins- bitterness, strife, gossip, envy, etc.

We can tease out 4 forms of weights, from Hebrews chapter 12.

1. Bitterness resulting from unearned hostility.
2. Resentment resulting from wrongly applied chastening.
3. Unbelief resulting from Godlessness
4. Strife resulting from unguided envy and jealousy.

In Hebrews 12:1 the word ‘easily’ is used to qualify the propensity to fall prey to such sins; meaning that these sins would present someone with multiple opportunities to embrace them. Someone will come to you with a ‘gist’ that can tip you over into gossip. Another person may just speak to you in a manner or with a tone that’s unpleasant- tempting you to slip into bitterness or strife. Someone can present their achievements in a manner that causes you to envy them rather than rejoice with them. The tendency to fall into these traps is easy and happens really fast, and we may even overlook them because they seem trivial. Yet, as trivial as these acts may seem, they constitute weights that won’t let you run……rate limiting distractions and nuisances.

Friends these things can easily stop us from making it to the finish line in our Christian race. Because just as we easily slip into these easy to overlook sinful behaviors, is how easily it is to stay redundant in the Christian race- without making any meaningful progress. So while the flesh enjoys the satisfaction of envy, strife, bitterness, etc, your Christian walk is paused, halted, stifled.

This new week; be vigilant– do not fall into the trap of the enemy by falling under the weights of any of these ‘subtle’ sins. Intentionally and decisively, lay aside the weights and sins which easily ensnare you. No matter how self-satisfying it looks, do not embrace strife, bitterness, resentment, unbelief.

How Easy Is It to Make Progress Inspite of these weights?

It is actually easy, Hebrews 12 verse 2 gives us the answer-

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Refuse to be derailed by the distractions; lay aside every weight and sin which easily ensnares you, and run with patient endurance (persistence), the race that is before you!

Starve your flesh, draw strength from Jesus in order to give attention to what matters most.

You’ll make it to the finish line if you take your eyes off the Distractions and Focus your gaze on Jesus.

Have a blessed week ! Amen

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This weekly devotional is inspired by God’s Command in Joshua 1:8… 

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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AboutGrace Obomanu

Grace obomanu is a Christian Blogger and Founder; 'Grace Obomanu Foundation'. Grace is an inspiring writer who intentionally projects the truth of God's word by sharing simple yet profound truths from the Bible. She writes with a revelational thrust, sharing wisdom, insights relatable to everyday living with particular emphasis on Victorious Christian Living. Her foundation, a non-profit trustee, continues to make impact, adding value to people's lives through outreaches, mentorship, bible teachings and counseling, partnerships. Grace has a diploma in Ministerial Training (with emphasis on Spiritual Leadership from Rhema Bible Training Center Nigeria. She trained as a medical doctor and has years of experience in Health Systems Management. She also holds a master's degree in Public Health from the University of Liverpool.