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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
--Hebrews 12:1-2
We can be entangled by so many things. I attended a women's conference this past weekend that focused on this piece of scripture. We were challenged to identify those things that entangle us--and throw them off! We carry our sin around like heavy shopping bags, weighing us down, burdening us. This is not what Christ died for--for us to live in bondage, but rather to live victory through His resurrection power. Our speaker stressed that we must repent and submit to Him and claim the promises of forgiveness, cleansing, and healing (2 Chronicles 7:14; I John 1:9).
My prayer is that we ladies will get rid of the excess baggage and live in victory! I have been examining myself over the past few days to identify those burdens that I must throw off. Here is a list we were given to get us thinking about potential entanglements. Some are tough but necessary to answer for ourselves.
Feelings of inferiority?Throw these things off! Live in victory!
Fear of failure?
Do not give God the glory?
Fail to be a witness for Christ?
Complain?
Argue?
Find fault?
Critical spirit?
Angry with self . . . or others?
Careless with your body?
Attend worship in body only?
Neglect own personal time with the Lord?
Exaggerate - don't tell things as they really are?
Have a lustful eye toward the opposite sex?
Fill mind with things of the world - not on things above?
Secretly pleased at the misfortunes of others?
Jealous of others' successes?
Have you not forgiven someone?
Do you waste time?
Are you "money" hungry?
Are you a "fake"?
Enjoy listening to gossip?
Do you pass gossip on?
Do you believe rumors or partial truths?
Do you neglect to thank God for all things?
5 comments:
Thanks for the list Kelly- it was a good reminder!
Very convicting list. Very thorough...I think all of us have a few or more of these to throw off! I like to think of in the biblical terms of putting off and putting on because if you put off something,you need to put on something instead.
The verse gives us a clue "perseverance". I am so thankful God is longsuffering with me.
Very visual and practical application here, Kelly.
I think we can all pick things out of that list to throw off. Repenting first and then oh so important is submitting to the Lord.
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