The Sin That So Easily Ensnares

I'm both encouraged and sobered by the reality of Hebrews 12:1, which speaks of "the sin that so easily ensnares us" (CSB).

This passage has accompanied me for years. I've reflected often on the cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 11, meant to encourage us as we run our race. They’ve run well; so can we. I’ve considered the call in Hebrews 12:1 to lay aside every weight so we can run with endurance. I've preached about looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Yet only recently have I focused on a particular reality: we're always vulnerable to being ensnared or entangled by sin.

The phrase itself is somewhat elusive. The word translated “ensnares” appears only here in the New Testament, and scholars suggest a number of possible meanings. While some interpreters argue the writer means habitual sins (recurring patterns of sin struggles in our lives), I believe he's describing something about sin's essential nature. Sin entangles our feet and slows our stride, hindering us from running the Christian race as we should. It’s not just habitual sin that can do this; any sin will entangle us if we’re not careful. It’s any sin. As Donald Guthrie writes, “It must not be supposed that any particular sin—a besetting sin—is in mind. It is rather sin itself which is the hindrance.”

Sin remains a perpetual threat throughout the Christian life. No matter how far we've come, we can still stumble. We’re never beyond getting tripped up.

A couple of weeks ago, news broke about a Christian author who confessed to serious sin. I've noticed a troubling pattern lately: moral failures increasingly involve older men. I used to think we reached an age when we were relatively safe from such snares. It was a convenient belief. It suggested I'd eventually arrive at a place of security. But experience and Scripture teach otherwise. I will always face this danger, and so will you.

This truth shouldn't discourage us. After all, the writer to the Hebrews calls us to lay aside entangling sin. It’s possible. But it should make us vigilant. None of us is beyond the reach of temptation's grip. We must keep taking sin seriously. We must keep looking back at those who have already finished well. Even more importantly, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

When we understand how easily sin ensnares us, we'll respond with less shock when others fall. More importantly, we'll guard ourselves against the same fate until we cross the finish line.

I'm 58 years old. I don't know how much race lies ahead. What I do know is this: there's no room to coast. As long as I draw breath, I must remain alert. The good news is that Hebrews assures us many have already set an example, that Jesus will help us, and that running well is possible even in the face of persistent danger.

Keep running. Stay vigilant. The race isn't over. Lay aside the sin that would trip you up, and finish well like so many before you.