Freedom from Sin
- Adam Garrett
- Nov 22, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2023
Don't allow yourself to be weighed down & held captive by sin
Hebrews 12:1–2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
John 8:34-36
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Whatever it takes to stop, even if costly.
Matthew 18:9
If your eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better for you to have only one eye and live forever than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
It's not being literal there about plucking out your eye, since the Bible doesn't ask you to literally harm yourself (including male circumcision, which is highly beneficial), but it is saying essentially whatever it takes, even if it is very costly.
While not harming itself might seem strange, even cases like male circumcision would be medically helpful, not harmful. Per the CDC, "Male circumcision can reduce a male’s chances of acquiring HIV by 50% to 60% during heterosexual contact with female partners with HIV, according to data from 3 clinical trials." It positively impacts some other illnesses (i.e. urinary tract infections) & some other significant diseases as well.
Sometimes you will need to take radical steps for freedom from sin and pursuit after God & righteousness.
Radically pursue after God & righteousness
Matthew 11: 7-15
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
John 2: 13-17
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade." His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Read or listen to:
Pursuit of God - Tozer (free audiobook via Internet Archive, free on Librivox w commercials, free on Youtube)
Don't allow condemnation to creep in if you mess up, but also realize the nature of sin.
You're not doing God a favor to stop sinning, but you should be thankful to God if you are able to achieve freedom from sin.
Micah 6:6-8
Esther 4
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Inherently bad things don't satisfy, and lead to destruction
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.
Proverbs 5: 3-5 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
Not inherently bad things that you do not subject to God's plan do not satisfy.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
C.S. Lewis
Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." As James 2:14-26 states, "Faith without works is dead." Our works demonstrate whether we have faith in God & the idea that we will truly be rewarded while following Him & after following Him in Heaven or faith in the idea that things outside of the will of God are superior to truly following Him.
We are blessed when we walk in righteousness & wisdom & wise to pursue after them
Abiding in the Word of God is a key indicator of a true Christian & will help you be free from sin.
John 8:31-32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
"Abiding" in the Word is more than just 5 minutes a day. It could include 1 year Bible plans every year with integrated learning so that you're gaining better understanding like this plan from the Bible Project. It could include a 1 or 2 year Bible reading plan if engaging in more intensive learning about the Bible using something like the "Mini Bible College" during that time (Old Testament; New Testament). It could include lectio divina, scriptural memorization, or writing on a smaller number of passages without any less time. I've been doing 1 year plans (& this year and last year, a 2 year plan with about 7.5 minutes a day of video from the Mini Bible College)
Scripture states, "“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).
Of course, how you spend your finances is a key indicator of what you truly value in life. In addition, how you spend your time is another key indicator.
Digital Tools to Help You Get Free from Sin:
Stay Free (website/app blocker & time management)
Working digital calendar that you use & track daily
Covenant Eyes (if you struggle with pornography)
Focus Mate (time management w direct accountability on how you spend your time for 25 min, 50 min, and 75 min sessions)
For further reading/listening:
1. Confessions - Augustine (free on Project Gutenberg via web version, Kindle; free w ads on Librivox. Free audio on Youtube)
3. Pursuit of God - Tozer (free audiobook via Internet Archive, free on Librivox w commercials, free on Youtube)
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