Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
“Once upon a time there was a hare who, boasting how he could run faster than anyone else, was forever teasing tortoise for its slowness. Then one day, the irate tortoise answered back: “Who do you think you are? There’s no denying you’re swift, but even you can be beaten!” The hare squealed with laughter.” These are the words from a well-known fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. Many of us are like the hare in this story, proud, boastful, and very sure of ourselves. We believe that we have it all together and nothing can keep us from accomplishing our goals.
I beg to differ. Just as the hare stated, everyone can be beaten. The sad part about this statement is that we defeat ourselves most of the time, just as the tortoise did in the fable. Pet sins or besetting sins are the ones we revert back to all too often. They are the ones that we keep hidden. No one else really knows our struggles. On the way to our finish line, our place of destiny, we get tripped up by these sins. Because we fail to conquer this area every time, we give the enemy a foothold into our lives. When he comes in, he comes with condemnation, guilt, discouragement and takes away our focus.
It is now time to make a decision. Will you continue being a slave to sin or will you break away today? In our key verse we find these words, “… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” Be an overcomer. Don’t allow your destiny to be compromised by hidden sin. Even though others may not know about it, God does and He has created you for so much more. He has made you to have dominion over sin, not for sin to have dominion over you!
My prayer for you today is that you will run the race that has been set before you with integrity, character and patient endurance. Make a decision to finish strong.
Father, too often we give into the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes and the pride of life, only to be overtaken by secret sin. I pray that we will be willing to make ourselves accountable to you and a good support network. Father, work in us the will and the pleasure to do your good will. In Jesus name Amen
Has the enemy gained a foothold in your life because you refused to let go of secret sins?
(C) Mary Pinckney, August 2013, excerpt Be Attitutdes Devotional Journey to a Healthy and Happier You
Journey To Inner Healing 