Victory Over Sin

Ask: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words, “victory over sin?”

Salvation is so much more than just having your sins forgiven, it means to have the ability to no longer be in bondage to sin.

Imagine sin as a heavy backpack we've been carrying for so long. When we finally choose to let go and surrender it to Jesus, it's like taking off that burden and feeling the freedom of victory in Him!

Kind of like Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

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,

The idea is a runner preparing for a race…often this requires wearing weights which makes running more difficult, but then when the race day arrives and the weights are removed, running isn’t so bad!

Let’s begin tonight by looking at

Some Things We Should Remember

You are dead to sin, because you died with Christ

Romans 6:2–3 “2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

Romans 6:6–7 “6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

Galatians 3:27 “27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

You are alive in Christ, now serving Him for His glory

Romans 6:11 “11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:16 “16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

You are not your own, we have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

You must never forget that there is a struggle between the old nature and the new!

Galatians 6:17 “17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

Romans 6:16 “16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop right here and discuss how that now we are saved we no longer sin? Unfortunately, that is not the case.

For many Christians, especially new Christians, the fact that we still face and often succumb to temptation often leads to doubt. For others they accept is unavoidable and just go on like nothing happened! Let’s look at...

What Happens When You Sin

Your fellowship with God is broken

1 John 1:3 “3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

1 John 1:6–7 “6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

The Holy Spirit is grieved and convicts you of your sin, urging you to make things right

Ephesians 4:30 “30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

John 14:17 “17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

John 14:26 “26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

You lose your joy and spiritual strength

Psalm 51:12 “12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.”

Nehemiah 8:10 “10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

You lose confidence or boldness to pray and your prayers are hindered

Psalm 66:18 “18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:”

1 John 3:19–22 “19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

The Devil accuses you before the Father Revelation 12:10 “10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Christ is your advocate when you are guilty and pleads your case before the Father based on His shed blood 1 John 2:1–2 “1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Along with sin comes chastening from God

Hebrews 12:6 “6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

Hebrews 12:10–11 “10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The good news in all this is that you do not have to sin!

How to Avoid Sin

Let’s be honest, if avoiding sin was easy, none of us would ever struggle. However, if we apply these truths to our lives, we will stand a better chance! We avoid sin by:

Reading and studying God’s Word

Psalm 119:11 “11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1–3 “1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”

Keeping “short accounts” with God

1 Timothy 4:1–2 “1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Walking in the Spirit Galatians 5:16 “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

What Then Should We Do When We Sin?

Here is what God demands in response to our sin:

Repent! Change your mind about sin!

Psalm 51:3 “3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me.”

Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.”

Humble yourself before God, He is merciful and full of grace 2 Chronicles 7:14 “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Confess your sin to God (agree with Him about what He already knows to be true) 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Make restitution if your sin involves others

Luke 17:3–4 “3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

James 5:16 “16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

We are finished with our study of what we believe about sin, and in two weeks we are going to start looking at what we believe about salvation!