By John Thiel

Hebrews 12:1. 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.

What are besetting sins? This is our first point to consider.  How is it that we can lay them aside? The first point of this scripture is how sins easily beset us. One meaning of besetting is to be surrounded, besieged, sins that surround us and besiege us. Because they besiege and plague us, they harass us, they hound us, and they annoy us. That is what a besetting sin actually is. What are these pesky sins that niggle and annoy us so badly? What are these? Smoking, alcohol, theatre, murderer, adultery? Are these the things that niggle us? These and many crass sins are what Gods people would not consider. What are then, besetting sins that keep on hounding and plaguing us? Read the rest of this entry →