Heb 12:1-2
THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps 110:1.]
AMP
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
KJV
In our race to win the crown, we have lots of forces who have set themselves against us with an aim of impeding our progress in this spiritual race. They are referred to unnecessary weight and besetting sins. This two partners in a quest to hinder every believer from achieving their spiritual goal, establishes what is know as spiritual setbacks.
Spiritual setbacks comes as a result of those encumbrances, weight of sins, cares of life and lot more other spiritual -delaying factors, that we allow into our life, to rule and govern our affairs. We allow this factors to distract us in our race and then we loose the crown. We shall be taking a cursory but close look at they two factors them establishes spiritual setbacks among others.
WEIGHTS
Weights are encumbrances on our spiritual journey seeking to place a heavy burden on us so as to limit how fast we can run. Weights can be manifested in different forms; it can be the cares of life, certain inordinate affections and so on. Matthew Henry in his commentary said;
Every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights reserved.)
Many today, lays massive burden on their soul to the extent that the soul finds it difficult to carry out God's divine assignment anymore and even communicate with its maker. The cares of life are too pressurizing that at most cases we resolve to serving mammon instead of God. This is one major strategy of the devil to beguile of from running and winning the prize.
BESETTING SINS
Still on these I will be openly this section still from the words of the clergy man; Matthew Henry;
The sin that doth so easily beset us; the sin that has the greatest advantage against us, by the circumstances we are in, our constitution, our company. This may mean either the damning sin of unbelief or rather the darling sin of the Jews, an over-fondness for their own dispensation. Let us lay aside all external and internal hindrances.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights reserved.)
Some Christians are struggling with certain addictions; it may be pornography, masturbation, fornication, lies, et cetera. Any sin that has gotten a mastery of you and now rules in your mortal bodies.
Rom 6:12
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
NIV
The above verse refers to the dominion of sin in the life of certain weak Christians thereby causing spiritual setback. There should be a keen consideration of the instruction given therein; do not let sin reign. As this instruction is obeyed, there will be an effective life of every limitations.
A REMEDY
Now verse two went further to give a perfect antidote to running this spiritual race successfully; Looking unto Jesus is a perfect remedy to a struggling life; He has walked this spiritual path and completed it successfully, He is the author and finisher of this spiritual race, He knows every ups and downs of this road. When we see Christ, we see a perfect example of someone who successfully ran and is duly rewarded; sitting at the right hand of God, is a worthy exaltation. And now He is in a position to reward all who will run patiently; enduring what Christ Jesus endured; His trials, test, temptation, and tribulation.
Stand to your feet and refuse the devil from successfully launching setbacks in your life. Say no to him, drop the weights, drops the sins, run with patience and the crown is yours.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE POSITIVE POSTS FROM @princewillandrew