Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Everyone has one. Some have more. All struggle.
Tangled Lines
I was fishing a couple of months ago on the marsh where we live, and it was an absolutely beautiful day.
The temperature was just right, I was with my father, and we were having a great time.
Then it happened.
The dreaded tangling of lines. If you’ve ever been fishing, you understand. It began with one cast, and then another, and then another. For some reason, every time we cast our rods, the line would twist and turn into a tangled mess.
This went on for several casts, and we finally packed it up because it completely messed up the day. We struggled and were so frustrated.
Tangled Lives
The same thing happens to us in our walk with the Lord. Stay with me. Each of us becomes so tangled in sin that it ruins our day and causes us to struggle in our spiritual walk. How do I know? Because the writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12, verse 1.
You and I each have sins that “so easily entangle us.” Perhaps it is a private sin that causes us to struggle. How do we deal with it? When we give in to this sin, it is like casting a fishing rod only to face a tangled mess that ruins our day.
So what is the fix?
Replace the Lines
In the case of my fishing reels, I had to put a new fishing line on my reels. In the case of my sin, I need to follow the instructions found in Hebrews and “lay aside” that sin. When we think of laying something aside, it means to take off a garment, like a robe and lay it down.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:22 to:
22 put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
We certainly need the help of the Holy Spirit to overcome these areas in our lives.
So what to do? Take of the old self, renew our minds by filling it with scripture, put on the new self, and live a life that honors the Lord each day! It sounds pretty easy, but it is something we need to do each day. We should guard our hearts and minds.
Renew Your Minds
If it works with a fishing reel, I bet it will work with your mind. Some of you are living with a tangled mess right now and trying to figure out how to get it straight. Cut the lines and renew your minds. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 to:
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It really is a daily discipline we should all work to implement in our lives. It’s an intentional act that demonstrates our love and worship of the Lord.
Reline your reels and renew your minds. You’ll have a much better day!