The Glue Trap of Sin

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
-Hebrews 12:1 (King James Version)

 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 (New Living Translation)

While at work the other day, I was driving my forklift outside to get some supplies. As I was opening the garage door, I noticed a bird that was caught in the middle of a glue trap. It was flapping its wings trying to escape the trap. I noticed, along with the bird, there was about a dozen insects in there as well. My guess is that the bird was trying to make a meal on those bugs, and became stuck. The first thing I though of was sin-it works the same way.

We may see something we want, something that we know is a sin. It could be a lie that's told to keep from getting a speeding ticket. It could be the sexual attraction of a married coworker. There are other examples I could use, but what may seem innocent enough (take the bugs in the glue trap), so we go for it. Like the bird who tried to take a free meal from the glue trap, we get stuck. 

The writer of Hebrews 12:1 said, "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." Sin easily trips us up. Sin slows down our walk with Jesus. We must get rid of sin from our lives. How can we do that? Look to the lives of the men and women that's written about in Hebrews 11, the hall of faith. See how they overcame the same obstacles that you and I face each day. They finished the race, and we can learn from their example.

What sin is tripping you up today? Are you stuck in the glue trap of sin? Think About It.