Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Here, “beset” means to surround, entangle, hinder, or obstruct.

The writer of Hebrews has just said that the Old Testament Saints of Chapter 11 were witnesses. They were examples of redemption and witnesses of God’s faithfulness. We can go back to the history of their lives and see that they had besetting sins, yet they were overcomers and examples for us. They died in faith receiving a good report. Their sins are not mentioned, because their faith made them overcomers. We are being challenged to not let sin weigh us down. It will beset us. It will entrap, entangle, hinder and obstruct.  

Sin besets us in several ways:

• It appeals to our particular weaknesses. Different temptations entangle different people more easily.
• It becomes habitual. Repeated choices can form patterns that are increasingly difficult to resist.
• It distracts and weighs us down. In the verse’s picture, the Christian life is a race. Sin interferes with spiritual progress.
• It works through circumstances and desires. Temptation may arise through fear, pride, anger, discouragement, appetite, or the influence of our surroundings. James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
• It stays close at hand. “Easily beset” suggests something always ready to encircle us if we are not watchful.

The remedy given in the passage is not merely willpower. Verse 2 says to run while “looking unto Jesus.” The emphasis is on laying sin aside, persevering patiently, and keeping one’s attention fixed on Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-2 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.



Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry