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Get Entangled In: Emplekō 

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to free a tangle. 

But what if you are in the tangle? A Tennessee man had the unfortunate experience of knowing what this feels like. He had ventured alone in the woods and found his way to a climbing wall on a challenge course. There were signs warning hikers not to climb without supervision, which he ignored. Unfortunately, he got tangled up, fell, and hung upside down for two days. At last, he was rescued by a passing hiker. The weakened climber was taken to the hospital. Doctors said it was a miracle that he was alive. Makes you appreciate only having to deal with a tangle in your headphones. 

God’s Word understands about the mess that tangles create and implores us to avoid them at all costs. In writing to the young minister Timothy, Paul compares serving the kingdom to military service and says, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits.” The Greek word here for “gets entangled in” is empleketai. It means “to scuffle with,” “to intertwine,” and “to ensnare.” It was a word used to describe a sheep whose wool had gotten caught in thorns. It also described someone binding their hands in another person’s garments to hold them back. 

As soldiers of Christ, we are told that there are many things in this life that can tangle us up and hold us back from serving the kingdom. These aren’t necessarily bad or sinful. They are simply civilian, meaning ordinary things. They include stuff like careers, friendships, dating, hobbies, social media, people’s opinions, and even family. 

Have any of these things ever kept you from doing what God has called you to do? Are you in a relationship that has become so exhausting and draining that it has taken your focus and energy away from God’s assignment? Is there a hobby that reduces the quality time that God has asked you to spend fulfilling your call? 

If the answer is yes, you’ve become entangled. Like the Tennessee man, you are dangling instead of moving forward the way that God desires. The good news is that the Holy Spirit wants to rescue you and help you get back on track.