Besetting sins - Hebrews 12:1


Hebrews 12:1 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 (besetting sin in KJV). And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Everyone has a besetting (constant, frequent, habitual) sin! Pride, temper, sexual lust, gossip, judgmental-critical, anger, revenge, hopeless, distrust, alcohol abuse, covetousness-envy, vanity, worry, unforgiveness, resentment, pornography.
The Apostle Paul lists sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. "The sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins are Lust (obsessive or excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature), Gluttony (excess of food and pleasures), Greed (insatiable desire for things), Sloth (discontent, apathy, hopelessness), Wrath (hatred, anger, vengeance), Envy (frequent desire for what others have), Pride (Conceit, self-importance, a desire to be more important or better than others).
Our besetting sin makes us or un-makes us
Our besting sin makes us better or bitter
Our besting sin makes us grow or grovel
Our besting sin draws us closer or away from God

What to do about our sins? See 1 John 1:8-10

1 John 1:8 "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

There are four steps we can take. But remember that this is not some mechanical ritual. You are talking to God your Father and Jesus your Savior. These steps flow together as a conversational prayer. Also, become sin conscious.That is, become more aware that sin in you does exist. We have become a culture which has removed the reality of sin, just as we have removed the reality of God. Sharpen your sense to the presence of sin in yourself. We sin and dull our relationship to the Father and Jesus, and before long, unacknowledged continuous sin causes us to lose all fervancy, passion and fellowship with the Father and Jesus.

1. Own and acknowledge the sin Call a sin, sin! "Lord, I have sinned by (name it)! Yes this is a sin of mine Lord. I admit it and won't try to minimize it or compromise it!" I may be ashamed or embarrassed about this sin, but I will not ignore or excuse it. I must not put it out of my sight because it is still is your sight. I won't pretend it will just go away. Every sin not confessed leaves a bruise or a wound on the soul. Sins may also have psychological/biological bases, but they are still sins. Example: My bad temper may be due to chronic pain from arthritis, but it's also a sin when I lash out at someone. My being overweight may be due to my thyroid condition, but gluttony is still sin. A tendency to homosexuality may have (and does have) many causes, but acting that way is still a sin.

2. Confess it "Lord, I have sinned against You! I have offended our relationship and alienated myself from you. I have fallen beneath the standards and ideals you have for me. I have dulled the fervency, faithfulness, filial feeling I have for you. I have jeopardized the fellowship I have with you and my closeness and intimacy to You!"

3. Repent "I am sorry, I regret, I am ashamed, troubled and disgusted for what I have done to our relationship. Help me to not sin in this way again."

4. Own and acknowledge the forgiveness of God "I am so thankful for your faithfulness and perseverance with me. I rely on your steadfast love for me and your tender mercy, and know (according to 1 John 1:9) that you have forgiven me. I receive your forgiveness. I see the barriers between us being removed, and the light of your love renewing our fellowship. Thank you Father, thank you Jesus, Thank you Holy Spirit. Amen!"

Psalm 32
It is a great blessing
when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done,
when their sins are erased.
It is a great blessing
when the Lord says they are not guilty,
when they don't try to hide their sins.
Lord, I prayed to you again and again,
but I did not talk about my sins.
So I only became weaker and more miserable.
Every day you made life harder for me.
I became like a dry land in the hot summertime.
But then I decided to confess my sins to the Lord.
I stopped hiding my guilt and told you about my sins.
And you forgave them all!
That is why your loyal followers pray to you while there is still time.
Then when trouble rises like a flood, it will not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me.
You protect me from my troubles.
You surround me and protect me,
so I sing about the way you saved me.
The Lord says, "I will teach you
and guide you in the way you should live.
I will watch over you and be your guide.
Don't be like a stupid horse or mule that will not come to you
unless you put a bit in its mouth and pull it with reins."
Many pains will come to the wicked,
but the Lord's faithful love will surround those who trust in him.
Good people, rejoice and be very happy in the Lord.
All you who want to do right, rejoice!