In this daily Bible reading the writer gives examples of people of Faith who held onto their Faith in the face of adversity. Many endured severe torture. However, they chose to endure the torture rather than turn from their Faith. They believed in God and were conscious of a better existence beyond their life. They were so convinced that they accepted death rather than give up their Faith.
The Faith journey requires endurance and determination to turn from sin and darkness to life and light. However, it is well worth it. The Hebrews writer said, “Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of Faith.”
OUR BESETTING SIN
The Bible says that we are all sinners and are frequently tempted to sin. The Bible also says that each of us has at least one sin that is very difficult to avoid. This is called our besetting sin. For each of us, there are many sins that don’t take much effort to avoid. However, there is at least one sin that we are vulnerable to commit. This sin requires our greatest effort to avoid. Here are some examples: Habitual lying, gossiping, greed, lust, theft, or envy. One of these sins may be our most difficult to avoid.
So, how do we fight this sin? We fight it in the thought process where the temptation to sin begins. We must control our thoughts to fight the temptation.
The Bible says that when we become believers, God gives us the ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit.’ One of these fruits is self-control. God gives us the ability to control those thoughts. That is where the spiritual battle is won.
