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In Romans 6:18, Apostle Paul states, 'You have been liberated from sin and have embraced righteousness as your master' (NIV). The concept of breaking free from sin may seem perplexing, given humanity's inherent imperfection and tendency to commit sins. Being free from sin doesn't imply immunity from future sins, but rather the liberation of your soul from the chains sin would otherwise bind it in.
Steps
Grasp the Essence of Sin and Grace
Understand sin. Broadly, 'sin' encompasses anything that falls short of God's holiness. Typically, sins manifest as actions, but they can also include thoughts and attitudes.
- Actions deemed sinful are evident, yet the desire to commit such acts is also sinful. For example, desiring adultery is as sinful as committing the act itself.
- It's important to note that temptation itself isn't sinful. Feeling tempted doesn't constitute sin; it's acting upon that temptation that constitutes sin. For instance, being tempted to commit adultery isn't sinful, but actually committing adultery or even entertaining the thought of it is.
Acknowledge the inherent sinfulness of humanity. Despite being made in God's image, the fall of Adam and Eve symbolized humanity's collective descent into sinfulness. Consequently, human beings are inherently sinful.
- In essence, sin is ingrained within you from birth; it's not something you're taught. It's an integral part of your nature.
Comprehend the significance of Christ's atonement. Through His crucifixion, Jesus bore the burden of humanity's sins. His sacrifice absolved the original sin debt.
- In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were a means of repentance for physical sins. However, these sacrifices were imperfect, leaving the stain of original sin. As both Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus became the 'perfect sacrifice,' capable of liberating the human soul from the consequences of original sin.
Grasp the concept of being 'free from sin.' Embracing Christ and liberation from sin doesn't imply an end to wrongdoing. Christ's sacrifice liberated the spirit from sin's chains, but the flesh—body, mind, and heart—still contends with sin daily.
- While your soul can be free from sin, your body may still sin. Achieving freedom from sin on a physical level is an ongoing pursuit, albeit one that may never be fully attained.
Confront Your Sinful Nature
Embrace Christ. Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, saved souls from sin's consequences. However, true freedom requires a deliberate decision to accept salvation.
- If you haven't already, invite Christ into your life, seek forgiveness for your sins, and embrace liberation.
- This initial step is paramount. Without entrusting Christ to break the chains of original sin, you remain captive to sin in all its forms.
Prefer God over sin. Merely fulfilling duties without genuine love for God is legalistic and not His desire. God desires your affection. When you prioritize loving God over indulging in sinful pleasures, you naturally distance yourself from your sinful inclinations.
- Focus on performing acts of goodness—the fruit of the Spirit—before fretting over avoiding sinful deeds. By fixating on what is good, you become less susceptible to evil.
- To counter specific sins or temptations, replace them with virtuous actions. For instance, instead of dwelling in anger towards someone, perform a kind deed for a loved one. Acting on the impulse to do good can divert you from harmful impulses more effectively than doing nothing.
Acknowledge the gravity of your sins. Habitual sins can embed themselves deeply, making them challenging to confront. It's crucial to recognize that even seemingly minor sins are serious transgressions.
- All sin defies God's holiness, from the smallest falsehood to the gravest offense.
- Support groups for addiction typically begin by acknowledging the addiction. Likewise, breaking free from sin starts with admitting to the sins committed.
Commit to resisting sin in your heart. Pledge to intentionally shun sin and pursue goodness. While mistakes are inevitable, your commitment to the right path must remain steadfast.
- If you struggle to make this commitment, take time for self-reflection. If your desire to resist sin lacks sincerity, pray for God's guidance in transforming your heart and mind, forsaking sin for life in the Spirit.
Immerse yourself in God's Word. Scripture is a potent weapon against sin. Regularly study the Bible, aiming for comprehension rather than mere memorization.
- Deep understanding of God's Word aids in recognizing sin and fortifying against temptation.
- Bible study strengthens faith and reinforces awareness of God's promises. As your understanding of God's love grows, so does your desire to love what He loves, making it easier to resist wickedness.
Pray with sincerity and devotion. Seek God's guidance to avoid sin. Continually pray in this manner, regardless of present temptations.
- All forms of prayer are valuable in combating sin, even without specifically seeking strength against temptation. Through prayer, you communicate with God, deepening your relationship with Him. As your love for God intensifies, your inclination towards sin usually diminishes.
Address Everyday Sin
Be vigilant against sin's influence in your life. Each individual possesses unique vulnerabilities, which may differ from one person to another. Recognize your weaknesses by observing signs of sin in your thoughts and actions.
- Habitual sins can be particularly elusive to identify, despite being familiar. However, they often manifest as thoughts and actions that create distance between you and God.
Avoid temptation. Refrain from testing your faith by purposefully exposing yourself to temptation. When faced with temptation, steer clear rather than confronting it.
- The primary objective is to prevent sinning, so taking steps to achieve this goal is wise. It's prudent to evade temptation altogether when feasible, as confronting it only heightens the risk of succumbing.
- For example, if you stumble upon the instructor's answer sheet while studying for an exam, retaining it during the test increases the likelihood of cheating. Discarding it or returning it eliminates the temptation, ensuring you won't succumb to it.
Walk your own path while embracing companionship. Your commitment to living sin-free must be personal. While associating with supportive individuals can be beneficial, you must also be prepared to stand apart.
- Constantly following the crowd can lead to trouble, even if it appears composed of religious or well-intentioned individuals. Everyone is flawed, and you must discern and adhere to God's path regardless of others' choices.
- Conversely, spending time with like-minded individuals can aid accountability and foster spiritual growth through discussions and acts of love.
Repent promptly. Upon committing a sin, repent sincerely and immediately. Avoid justifying your actions to yourself and God, as excuses hinder progress.
- Although your soul is liberated from original sin, personal sins can only be absolved by confessing them to God and seeking forgiveness. In repentance, also seek the strength to resist the same sin in the future.
Persist in your resolve. Regardless of how many times you stumble, it's crucial to lift yourself up and continue striving. The battle against sin is an ongoing challenge in your life, not a one-time event.
- You don't have to face this struggle alone. God has liberated your soul from sin and stands by you in your efforts to resist its influence. Ultimately, victory belongs to God, and by holding onto Him, you'll reap the rewards of that triumph.
- Regularly reflect on God's promise of salvation to strengthen your resolve. While sin may offer immediate gratification, focusing on the future reward awaiting you can help you resist its allure.
