Victory Over Sin

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Romans 6:6-10

The word "sin" is mentioned 17 times in Romans 6. 15 of those times it refers to the sin nature, the other two times it refers to an act of sin. We have to understand the difference in the sin nature and the act of sin.The main problem is the sin nature. Acts of sin are results of the sin nature. You don't smoke because you have cancer. You have cancer because you smoke!

He is helping you understand how you can stay free. He knows that God does not want His children to struggle with sin. He wants the believer to see that the "old man" that enjoyed the sin nautre is crucified and we should not allow him to exist any longer after we but our personal faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the Cross.

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18

The phrase "whoever is born of God does not sin" here means that the Christian does not practice sin. He is no longer to be bounded and controled by sin. It doesnt mean you are perfect and will never sin. You do not allow sin to control you and therefore no longer habitually sin.

We start out following God. We want to do the will of God and do what God has said to do, but the flesh starts to tell us that we can do it on our on.

Men and women are naturally tempted to look at someone of the opposite sex. Before marriage you can pursue that person in any capacity you wish. There is no commitment to anyone and therefore you have the freedom to look, talk, date, etc. After marriage those desires of thinking someone is attractive do not go away, but that old single person is dead and you can no longer allow those desires or temptations to have a place in your mind. If you give them place in your mind they will lead you away and destroy you. You are now committed to the person you entered a marriage convenant with. Temptations or desires towards anyone else will draw you away and destroy you and your relationship with the one you are in covenant with. This is true in our relationship with God. Anything that seperates you from Him is sin. As a child of God you are in a covenant relationship with Him and any temptation or desire that is not crucified at the Cross and is allowed to grow in your heart or mind will lead to sin and will destroy you.



12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15



7 steps in temptation

1. we are tempted - the thought of doing evil. at this point it is not a sin.(v.14)

Matthew 4:1-11 - temptation in and of itself is not a sin. Jesus was tempted and sinned not!!

2. we allow the temptation to draw us away - strong imagination.

3. we give place to lust - when we delight in viewing something (v.14)

4. we are enticed by the temptation - weakening of our will

5. we yield our body or mind to the temptation.

6. we act out what at this point has only been entertained in our mind and/or
heart.

7. the result of giving into the temptation will eventually lead to death
(spiritual and possibly physical death )


Christian That Lives A Life of Freedom

- FOCUS - JESUS CHRIST -

GOD DOESNT WANT YOUR FOCUS OR EYES TO BE ON ANYONE ELSE.



WHEN WE GET OUR EYES OFF OF JESUS WE WILL BEGIN TO GET OFF
OF TRACK


- OBJECT OF FAITH - THE CROSS - THE CROSS DOES NOT MOVE

WHEN WE PUT OUR FAITH IN ANYTHING ELSE IT WILL FAIL US.


- POWER SOURCE - THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE HOLY GHOST GIVES US THE POWER TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.


- RESULTS - VICTORY


Christians That Live a Life of Defeat

- Focus - Works - what you can do.

- Object of Faith - Your Performance - How well you can do it.

- Power Source - Yourself

- Results - Defeat



Victory can only come from God through Jesus (John 14:6) and what He did on the Cross (Luke 9:23). We can only have that victory and freedom through self denial (Luke 9:23-24)