Easily Entangles

I often joke that if I ever fall off a cliff or down a hill, I hope I have headphones or an extension cord with me. If I’m using wired headphones, it’s almost guaranteed they will get tangled or caught on something. If I am in the yard using something requiring an extension cord, chances are good that it will get caught on something no matter how careful I am to prevent such an entanglement from happening. I have found in my life that headphone and extension cords can so easily get tangled up.

“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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Notice that the writer doesn’t say it is difficult for sin to entangle us. It’s easy! We know this all too well from experience, but do we live like we know this? It’s not hard to get tangled up in sin—it’s easy. I have found that it is hard to lose weight (especially the older I get). It takes a lot of discipline and hard work to lose weight and keep it off. It is easy, however, to gain weight and easier still around the holidays because there is so much food—particularly sweets and desserts, which so easily entangle. Since it is so easy to gain weight, I should stay away from the things that cause unhealthy weight gain, such as desserts and sweets. Since sin entangles us so easily, we need to be on our guard against it that much more. We should not allow even the smallest of holes or chinks in our armor because it is so easy to get entangled in sin.

“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?’” (Mark 8:34-37)

In staying away from the things that can lead to being so easily entangled in sin, we will miss out on several things in this world. Struggle with alcoholism? You will miss out on social gatherings where there is alcohol. Struggle with pornography? You will miss out on shows and movies where there is nudity. You must give up your own way if you want to be Jesus’ follower. You may want to watch the show or movie that everyone is talking about, the one that looks so cool and interesting, but we must act and think outside of ourselves. We must deny ourselves and see the entrapment for what it is. The things of this world are not worth your soul but that is often their price. Fix your eyes on Jesus; remember everything He went through for you, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Remember, sin easily entangles so be wise and keep away from anything that could lead you down its path that so easily tangles.

To the glory of the Lord God, whose I am, and whom I serve.