1 John 3:6 “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.”

We are called, as Believers, to abstain from what is evil and to live a sin-free life. God would never require us, or ask us, to do something that we didn’t have the power to do. There is a grace to overcome sin and walk in victory.

1. BE A DISCIPLE

First, it starts with a decision to be a disciple and not just a “believer”. Remember, demons also “believe in God”, but they’re not disciples! A disciple is a “disciplined one”. It’s someone who will deny themselves.

Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Living sin free starts with making the daily decision: “I will walk in holiness before God”. Throughout our day, we are given choices to make. In various situations and temptations we have to choose, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, how we will respond. We can either choose to yield to our flesh, or yield to the Holy Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

If this is an area you want to grow in, read Galatians 5 daily! Choose life, choose the Fruit of the Spirit, choose to walk in love, choose to do what is right! Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to make you a person with a strong conviction for righteousness.

2. HATE WHAT IS EVIL

Romans 12:9 Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good.

You won’t do what you hate doing. Sometimes people hate the consequences of sin, but not the actual sin they are dealing with. If you want to live sin-free you have to learn how to hate what God hates, and love what God loves. Replace your love for sin with a love for God and the things of God.

Psalm 119:163 (NLT): “I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.”

3. GUARD YOUR HEART

Proverbs 4:23 Guard thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Possibly the most effective thing you can do in living a sin free life is to guard your heart. Look at what Jesus said about our heart:
Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

Sin is birthed when you are tempted, and temptations come from a sinful desire that is in your own heart. We call this “iniquity”. Iniquity is an “intent to do”, it means you might not have done it, but the desire to do it is lurking within you. If you could do it, and get away with it, you would!

James 1:14-15 “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

The moment you notice a sinful desire within your heart or a sinful thought in your mind, root it out IMMEDIATELY! Don’t dwell on it for one moment. Rebuke sinful thoughts and desires. Sin has a price tag and WILL cost you something, so treat these desires and thoughts like you would an intruder that’s come into your house to rob you.

Guard your heart. Stay away from influences that contaminate and corrupt your heart. Iniquity and sinful desires get into your heart by what we see, what we hear, and what we are around.

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.