Cleansed from Past Sins in Baptism And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Rev 1:5b

Problem with sin is not over… If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1Jo 1:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Pe 5:8

Two ways we must overcome sin By sinning less and less By knowing what to do when we do sin My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. 1Jo 2:1a And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1Jo 2:1b-2

How Sin Develops – James 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.

How Sin Develops – James FIRST STAGE IS “TEMPTATION” Includes two things: Desire (lust) Enticement TEMPTATION = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Jam 1:14

How Sin Develops – James FIRST STAGE IS “TEMPTATION” Includes two things: Desire (lust) Enticement TEMPTATION = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Jam 1:14

How Sin Develops – James SECOND STAGE IS “SIN” ITSELF It becomes SIN when we ACT and YIELD SIN = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin… Jam 1:15

How Sin Develops – James THIRD STAGE INVOLVES CONSEQUENCES OF UNREPENTED AND UNFORGIVEN SIN: DEATH Death = spiritual separation from God DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION + NO FORGIVENESS = DEATH …and sin, when it is full- grown, brings forth death. Jam 1:15

How Sin Develops – James THIRD STAGE INVOLVES CONSEQUENCES OF UNREPENTED AND UNFORGIVEN SIN: DEATH Death = spiritual separation from God DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION + NO FORGIVENESS = DEATH …and sin, when it is full- grown, brings forth death. Jam 1:15

How to Overcome Sin CHANGE OUR “DESIRES” Rom And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24

How to Overcome Sin CHANGE OUR “DESIRES” Rom Begins with the Word of God I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psa 119:11

How to Overcome Sin CHANGE OUR “DESIRES” What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. Psa 116:12-13 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psa 119:104

How to Overcome Sin LIMIT OUR “OPPORTUNITIES” Ask God’s Providential Help And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. Mat 6:13

How to Overcome Sin LIMIT OUR “OPPORTUNITIES” Ask God’s Providential Help Work with Him by avoiding…

How to Overcome Sin Opportunities to be tempted and sin I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil Psa 101:3-4 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin Job 31:1

How to Overcome Sin Avoid others who might encourage us to sin I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Psa 101:6-7

How to Overcome Sin EXERCISE “SELF-CONTROL” Stop before the “ACTION” No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man… 1Co 10:13

How to Overcome Sin OBTAIN FORGIVENESS Otherwise Sin will have overcome us! If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1Jo 1:9

How to Overcome Sin FOUR POINTS ALONG THE WAY Sin can be overcome at any of those points God helps us: Control our desires Limit our opportunities Exercise self-control Obtain forgiveness

Are You Overcoming Sin? OR is sin overcoming you?