Front and Center

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. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Hebrews 12:1,2 (NLT)

 According to these verses we are to strip off “every weight that slows us down –(or hinders) especially the sin…”

The implication here is that not every weight or everything that slows us is a sin, yet must be dealt with just as firmly as does sin.  This excess baggage can be a number of things… pretty much the sky is the limit here for examples.  For myself, I took the word “weight” kind of literally when reading this passage because weight gain /loss has been a constant struggle for me.  Because I take steroids very frequently, my appetite can be voracious and the drug also causes you to retain fluids, so my weight goes up and down 50-75 lb. at a time.  

I looked up some Scriptures that might help and found this one: “If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat;” Prov. 23:2

UH OH

I think that Solomon knew—maybe before their doctors knew then—that being overweight can cause an early death.  I don’t think he was advising people to slit their throats, but I think he was warning them that gluttony could be just as harmful to them as slitting their throat might be.   There is also the chance that this was the precursor to the form that Jesus used when saying “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.   If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”  In other words, we must take sin seriously.  Now, it is true that not everyone who is overweight is a glutton.  There can be other reasons for their weight.  But if that weight is hindering your service for the Lord or causing you to hate yourself, then that is a “weight that is slowing you down” and should be dealt with.

And the Bible is clear that gluttony is a sin.

Ezekiel 16:49

Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.

Ephesians 5:5 (NLT)

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
I know that greed is usually used to refer to a love of money and possessions…but it is kind of obvious that anything that competes with our love for God first and foremost in our hearts and pursuits, is idolatry…and food fits the bill for some of us, doesn’t it? When food consoles and satisfies us and God does NOT, then it is clear that this is a hindrance to our Christian walk (why is it a “walk”?? Shouldn’t it be our Christian sprint? Marathon?)

Here is another verse that withholds no punches: Philippians 3:19 (NLT)
They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
People who only think about the here and now and how to best feed their insatiable need for MORE—more pleasure, more flavor, more satisfaction in any physical form…you get the idea. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”  This is a sin…ignoring the reality of Heaven and Hell is sinful and will lead one to destruction. Loving material things or pursuits and neglecting the things of Eternity is the fast track for destruction. Sobering thought, isn’t it?

There are other hindrances, things that slow us down, besides food.  Ungodly relationships.  Even a lack of education can be a hindrance can’t it? It may not be a sin and may certainly not be the fault of the person—but it needs to be addressed so that they can run full speed ahead in their pursuit of God and His plans for their lives.

Like a sinking ship whose cargo is tossed overboard in a bad storm when it is taking on water, getting rid of these dead weights may be your only hope for survival…both spiritually and physically.  I challenge you to sit before the Lord with His Word on your lap and ask Him, “Lord, show me what is slowing me down and keeping me from Your best for me?”  Quiet your heart and mind and listen to what He tells you.  Read Colossions chapter 3 prayerfully and hear what God is telling you.  Make a list and then bring each item before Him, repent of the things that have had more of your attention than He has, repent of sin that is snagging your feet and keeping you from running the race before you.  Ask Him to help you to cut these things out of your experience (obviously you can’t quit food…but ask Him to make it take a backseat) and put God squarely up front and center.

By Cynthia Lott Vogel
All rights reserved
9/2/18