Easily Entangled

And the Good Shepherd who pulls us out

After moving from the mountains of Colorado to the flatlands of Northwest Florida, I had to get creative with the mountain bike I brought with me.

One day, I took my 29-inch rock climber onto a sandy trail. I slogged through the loose terrain, finally picked up a little speed, and then—BAM.

Full stop.

A spider web stretched across the trail and wrapped across my entire face.

From ear to ear, I was in Charlotte’s Web.

The banana spider is common in Florida, but it looks like it came out of Jumanji.

The bike went one way.

I went the other.

You know the old question: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?

Well, I’m not saying anyone heard me scream like a 16-year-old girl at a Taylor Swift concert…

But I’m also not saying they didn’t.

That’s not the point.

The point is this: I was entangled.

And Scripture warns us not to let that happen.

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Entangled in Scripture

Paul, speaking as a seasoned soldier of Christ, tells Timothy:

“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” — 2 Timothy 2:4

Peter issues a warning to believers who have escaped corruption but return to it:

Becoming entangled again, he says, is like a dog returning to its vomit.
— 2 Peter 2:20–22 (cf. Proverbs 26:11)

The Greek word translated “entangled” is emplekō, meaning to twist, braid, or weave together—an encumbrance that restricts freedom of movement.

This is a rare, but powerful, word in the Bible. These are the only two occurrences in the New Testament.

Its root, pleko, appears in Matthew 27:29, describing the thorns twisted together into the crown pressed onto Jesus’ head.

A perfect Savior willingly tangled Himself in sin to free us from it (2 Corinthians 5:21).

But He did not remain bound.

He broke free.

Through this study, we will see why Jesus endured entanglement—so we could be untangled.

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The Soldier’s Calling

Paul’s instruction that a soldier of Jesus Christ should not become entangled in civilian affairs mirrors the life of Roman soldiers who were forbidden from outside employment—whether farming, mechanics, trade or anything that interfered with their readiness.

In the Navy, we have a phrase: Ship, Shipmate, Self.

It’s a mantra that emphasizes mission first.

I’ll be honest—I usually cringe at this saying. But during a fire? It comes alive. Everyone races toward danger, watches out for one another, and puts themselves in harm’s way to save the ship and each other.

So what does that mean for a disciple of Jesus?

What’s your ship?

What’s your mission?

The mission is the gospel—and advancing it.

The local church is how we advance it.

So what civilian affairs might be entangling you?

Politics?

Do you share political talking points more than the gospel?

Comfort?

Are you entangled in conveniences that keep you from serving at your local church?

Pastor J. Vernon McGee says it well:

“Imagine a soldier in the midst of battle going to his sergeant or his lieutenant and saying, “Sir, I’m sorry to have to leave, but I have to go over into the city to see about some business; and then I have a date with a local girl, and I just won’t be able to be here for the battle tonight!”

Photo Credit: U.S. Army

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Entangled vs. Involved

This isn’t a call to withdraw from the world.

Christians are meant to be involved—otherwise, how could we share the gospel?

The issue isn’t whether you’re in the world.

It’s the degree to which the world is in you.

Here’s the real litmus test:

In your circle of influence… who is influencing who?

If you’re pulling the world toward Christ, you’re involved.

If the world is pulling you away from Him, you’re entangled.

“Bad company ruins good morals.” — 1 Corinthians 15:33

It is a balance. Every mile of road has two miles of ditch.

Ditch #1: Overly Legalistic

A friend once told me about a pastor who proudly shared that he had never watched Top Gun because it was “too worldly.” Choosing to limit secular media can be wise.

But if we treat our holiness as a measuring stick for righteousness, we will always come up short.

Ditch #2: Overly Worldly

If screens are discipling you more than Scripture…

If games, social media, or binge-watching take more of your time than prayer, family, and spiritual growth…

You are entangled.

Jesus was clear:

“You cannot serve two masters.”— Matthew 6:24

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Entangled to Entrusted

Peter warns those who have “escaped the defilements of the world” about becoming entangled again. He says it would have been better never to have known the way of righteousness than to turn back from it.

Peter is warning about false teachers and moral relapse.

But I wonder if Peter is also reflecting on his own failure.

Remember when Peter swore he would never deny Jesus—vowing to follow Him even to death? (Matthew 26:35)

Less than thirty verses later, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.

This is the same Peter who boldly confessed that Jesus was the Christ—the very rock upon which Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18).

Imagine how entangled Peter felt after his denials.

But here’s the beautiful part: Jesus untangled him. (John 21:15-25)

Three times, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”

And then He followed it with a command:

Feed my sheep.

The same Peter who fell back into entanglement now feeds us this warning—because he learned it firsthand.

The Good Shepherd still untangles His sheep.

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Trust the Shepherd

When Scripture calls us sheep, it’s not exactly a compliment.

Sheep are basically giant balls of Velcro — they are easily tangled, easily led astray, and easy prey.

They need a shepherd.

We need the Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23 says the Shepherd leads His sheep beside still waters.

This isn’t just a bucolic painting by the Psalmist.

Sheep hate moving water. They won’t get near it, because those cute little cotton balls turn to concrete when they get drenched.

So a shepherd either finds still water—or builds a dam.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who offers us living water despite our fear, stubbornness, and tendency to get tangled — again and again.

And Scripture tells us He will leave the ninety-nine to go after the one caught in the brush.

Maybe today, that’s you—entangled in sin, shame, addiction, fear, or failure.

If so, call out to the Shepherd.

He specializes in untangling His sheep.

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Mountain Mover

In 1934, there was a jam-packed tent revival in Charlotte, North Carolina. Two teenage boys arrived late and couldn’t find seats. They started to leave.

An usher stepped in and found room for them.

One of those boys was Billy Graham — who would become the most famous evangelist in history.

The usher? He was just a good soldier in Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to get in the fight?

Get untangled from whatever is holding you back.

Serve.

Volunteer.

Hold a door.

Be an usher.

Teach kids.

Lead a group.

Jesus is still asking the same question He asked Peter on the shore:

“Do you love me?”

If so—go feed the sheep.

Recommended Reading:
Lead Like a Shepherd — Larry Osborne

Operation Mustard Seed is published every Tuesday

Where and how are you serving your local church? Comment below. Encourage others by explaining how serving in the local church has strengthened your walk with Christ.