Throw off everything that hinders

https://odb.org/2025/06/23/entangled

Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV): 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Sometimes, at work, we get overwhelmed. Multiple projects are running at the same time with multiple deadlines. But work is always like that. There are down times, and these are busy moments. Even if you’re working at a call centre with quite a predetermined work scope, there are still days with fewer calls, and there are days with lots of calls. But when faced with multiple documents to look at, the only real way to clear the workload during busy moments is to either delegate or prioritise. For those work that can’t be delegated, we will have no choice but to deal with the more important ones first.

The thing about sin is that until we are in heaven, we will always need to deal with it. Our adversary, the devil, will spare no effort to tempt us and to divert our attention from God. He will seek to entice us to give up our narrow path and follow his broad path that leads to destruction. We may not notice our slow inclination as the devil’s methods are subtle. Sin has the ability to change our trajectory, and eventually, we will drift away and be caught up in his web of entanglement.

No matter where we are, a handful of sins to deal with or an entanglement of webs of sins, the first thing is to make the decision to stay clear. Then, we prioritise and deal with our sins one by one. We seek strength and willpower from God. We week His strength to overcome. We will likely be overwhelmed and give up if we want to fight all at once. Having said that, the best way out is still “cold turkey” – stop immediately and don’t look back, unlike Lot’s wife. Whether it’s cigarettes, drugs, alcoholism, pronography or solicited sex or compulsive lying, shoplifting, or plain anger management or pride or our selfish desires or manipulative ways or poison pill gossip, repent and don’t look back. Don’t get into situations that compromise our faith and principles. Stay far away, repent, and seek forgiveness from God. Over time, all these things will no longer hold any appeal to us.

Hebrews advises, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles us. Instead, let us run with perseverance in the race that is marked for us. We all know what our weaknesses are and what are the sins we need to deal with. Cut them all out, but if we are overwhelmed, cut them off one by one.

Have a good week ahead walking with our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer! Amen!