In Romans 6:18, the apostle Paul writes, "And thus, freed from sin, you became servants of righteousness" (KJV). The concept of being free from sin can be confusing since all human beings are imperfect and inevitably commit sins. Getting rid of sin does not mean not sinning anymore, but it does mean that the soul can free itself from the imprisonment in which sin keeps it locked up.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding the Nature of Sin and Grace
Step 1. Define what sin is
In a broader sense, "sin" refers to anything that falls short of God's holiness. The simplest way to locate it is to observe actions, but sins can also include thoughts and attitudes.
- Some actions are considered sinful, but the desire to do them is also sinful. For example, it is as sinful to desire to betray as much as to actually commit adultery.
- Temptation isn't a sin, though. If you are in a compromising situation with someone you find physically attractive, you may be tempted to indulge the senses tickled by that attraction. In fact, you would be committing a sin if you benefited from that attraction, either by committing adultery or by imagining doing it, even without doing so. Simply being tempted is not the same as sinning.
Step 2. Accept the sinful nature of man
Although man was created in the image of God, the fall of Adam and Eve - the first human beings - represents the fall of all mankind. Consequently, humans have a sinful nature.
In other words, they don't need to be taught to sin. Sin is already firmly fixed within the human soul from the moment you come into the world
Step 3. Understand the meaning of Christ's sacrifice
When Jesus died on the cross, he took the sins of mankind with him. Christ's sacrifice canceled the debt of original sin.
In the periods described in the Old Testament the sacrifice of animals was used as a means to repent of the sins of the flesh. However, this type of sacrifice was imperfect, in fact the stain of original sin always persisted. As the Son of God and Son of man, Jesus became the "perfect sacrifice", capable of freeing the human soul from the chains and punishment of original sin
Step 4. Know what it means to be "free from sin"
Accepting Christ and being freed from sin does not mean that you will no longer perform evil deeds. Christ's sacrifice freed your spirit from the shackles of sin. Your flesh - including your body, mind, and heart - will still have to deal with daily sins.
Your soul can be free from sin, even if your body still sins. However, freeing the soul from sin also means seeking freedom from sin on a physical level, although such freedom can never be definitively achieved
Part 2 of 3: Orienting Your Sinful Nature
Step 1. Turn to Christ
As previously stated, Jesus saved the soul from the repercussions of sin by sacrificing himself on the cross. Nonetheless, it is necessary to consciously accept the offer of salvation before the soul is truly free.
- If you haven't already, ask Christ to come into your life and forgive your sins. It will set you free.
- This is the first fundamental step. If you do not rely on Christ to free yourself from original sin, you will still be a prisoner of sin in all its forms.
Step 2. Love God more than you love sin
It is only a formality to do the right thing to satisfy a sense of duty, and it is not what God wants. God wants your love. If you come to love God more than you love the sins and passing pleasures that lead you to sin, you will automatically begin to drift away from your sinful nature.
- Focus on good works - the works of the Spirit - before worrying about avoiding the evil works of the flesh. When you are hooked on what is good, you are less likely to be attracted to what is bad.
- When faced with a particular sin or temptation, defeat evil with something good. For example, do something nice for someone you love instead of telling yourself to stop harboring anger at someone else. By following the urge to do something good, you can distract yourself from the bad urge to do something wrong.
Step 3. Recognize the gravity of your sins
The habit of sinning lurks so much in everyone's life that it becomes unrecognizable. You can tell yourself that a particular sin is nothing more than a "bad habit" and, as such, it is not that serious. You can free yourself from this mistake and a sinful lifestyle only when you have recognized the gravity of your sins.
- Every sin is evil and falls short of God's holiness. This discourse concerns both the smallest lies and the most gruesome crimes.
- Addiction support groups usually ask their members to start admitting their addiction, because no one can solve a problem until they admit they have it. Likewise, you can turn away from sin by admitting the mistakes you have made.
Step 4. Promise to resist sin
Promise God to avoid sin with all your might and seek the good. Inevitably you will fall sometime, but the intention to stay on the right path must be solid and true.
If you are unable to meet this vow, perhaps an examination of conscience is necessary. If the desire to resist sin is not entirely sincere and the lack of sincerity makes you hesitant, pray to God, asking him to orient your heart and mind correctly so that you can abandon your sinful lifestyle and prepare your life. to accept the Spirit
Step 5. Embed the Word of God in your mind
One of the greatest powers you have to fight sin in your life is the word of God. Study the Holy Scriptures regularly. Your goal should be to achieve pure understanding rather than just memorizing.
- A thorough knowledge of God's Word can help you identify sin more easily and prepare yourself against temptations and pitfalls that could lead you to fail.
- Furthermore, regular Bible study can also solidify your faith and make you more aware of God's promises. As your understanding of God's love grows stronger, your desire to love the things God loves will also be stronger and will be stronger. easy to resist evil.
Step 6. Pray with sincerity and devotion
Ask God to guide your steps and help you avoid sin. Always pray this way, regardless of your battles with temptation.
Prayer is a useful tool for overcoming sin, although it is not intended solely to give you strength against temptation. Through prayer you can communicate with God and cultivate your relationship with Him. As your love for God deepens, your interest in sin will fade more sharply
Part 3 of 3: Coping with Daily Sins
Step 1. Be careful how sin moves in your life
Everyone has their own weaknesses, different from those of another person. Identify yours by looking for the marks left by sin in what you do and think.
Habitual sins are often the hardest to spot, even if they are the ones you are most familiar with. That said, it is possible to recognize them by looking for the thoughts and actions that represent an obstacle between you and God
Step 2. Escape from temptation
Don't test your faith by risking your soul. When a temptation comes your way, avoid it instead of facing it.
- Ultimately, your goal is to avoid sin, so whatever steps you can take to achieve it will be fine. To this end, it is wiser to avoid this temptation altogether when you can, since dealing with it only increases the risk of giving in to it.
- For example, if while preparing for an important exam, you accidentally find a sheet in which the teacher's answers are marked, it is very likely that you will use it by taking it with you to the exam. Throwing it away or returning it to the teacher will remove the temptation to cheat.
Step 3. Walk alone and walk with others
The commitment to live a life free from sin must be personal. It can be helpful to join people who help you respect it, but you also need to be ready to walk regardless of the presence of others.
- If you follow the crowd, you can get in trouble, even if it seems full of religious or well-meaning people. Everyone is imperfect. It is necessary to know how to see and follow the path that God has placed in front of you, regardless of whether someone else is following it.
- On the other hand, it is good to spend time with someone who has the same beliefs as you, because they could help you to be responsible. Furthermore, you can use these interactions to improve your understanding of God through discussion and acts of love.
Step 4. Repent immediately
When you commit a sin, repent quickly and sincerely. Don't delay and waste time trying to justify your actions.
Even if your soul has already been freed from the chains of original sin, you can free your spirit and conscience from sins by communicating them to God and asking Him for forgiveness. When you repent, you should also ask Him for strength not to repeat the same sin in the future
Step 5. Refuse to give up
Regardless of how many times you fall, you need to recover and keep trying. The fight against the sin present in life is a problem that you will not have to face "once", but all your life.
- The good news is that this is a fight you don't have to fight alone. God has freed the soul from sin and will not abandon you when you strive to resist the sin of the flesh. The final victory belongs to God, and as long as you cling to Him, you can benefit from that victory.
- Remember the reward that awaits you if you regularly meditate on God's promised salvation. Sin can appear as a source of immediate satisfaction, so by thinking only of the present, you will hardly be able to resist sin. Shift your focus to the highest source of satisfaction that awaits you in the future.
