For years, I found myself locked in a relentless battle with sin, desperately seeking a way out. Despite my best efforts, the more I struggled, the deeper I fell. I grew weary, groaning under the weight of my burden, longing for a breakthrough that I decided to go on a retreat. It was during a transformative seven-day retreat, where I dedicated myself to prayer and reflection, that a revelation unfolded. The Holy Spirit spoke to me, urging me to believe in the finished works of Christ and place my unwavering trust in God for complete deliverance.
I was overwhelmed with doubts. I had been praying fervently, hoping for a miraculous intervention that would instantly liberate me. Perhaps looking for something tangible that needed to be removed from my life, as some have experienced. However, it soon became clear that my journey to victory over sin would follow a different path.
Returning home, armed with the word from the Holy Spirit, I hesitated to act upon it. Unfortunately, I soon found myself falling back into the same sin.
One fateful day brought a renewed sense of hope. As I listened to a passionate sermon by a Pastor, he shared his personal testimony of overcoming sin (addiction) through Christ. To my astonishment, his message echoed the very same revelation I had received during my retreat.
In that moment, I humbled myself, dropping to my knees, and confessed to God, declaring my belief in the finished works of Christ. I embraced the truth that I am dead to sin and alive to God. As if a tremendous burden had been lifted, I finally understood what had transpired—I received my deliverance.
Scripture reminds us in Romans 10:17, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Your deliverance lies in your faith in Christ Jesus. Understanding and embracing the word of God as it is will strengthen your faith.
Victory over sin cannot be achieved by relying solely on your own strength and efforts.
Oluwaseun Cephas
Victory over sin cannot be achieved by relying solely on your own strength and efforts because if your strength and efforts is not rooted in word of God, your strife for freedom will be fruitless.
In my personal journey to overcome sin and experience victory, I have learned the importance of various steps. While these steps do not diminish the significance of identifying areas of weakness, setting personal boundaries and goals, and seeking professional help if needed, they serve as fundamental principles in achieving victory over sin in Christ:
Believe in Christ Jesus as the Lord over your life
If you are not yet a Christian, surrendering your life to Christ as your Lord and Savior is crucial. Without this surrender, the power of God, manifested through the Holy Spirit, cannot effectively work in your life. It brings joy to God to see you liberated from sin, and by inviting Him into your life, you allow the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to dwell within you.
For those who are already Christians, it is essential to ensure that you have fully surrendered everything to God. Hold nothing back in your life. Your unwavering determination to be free and your dedicated commitment will create space for the Holy Spirit to work wonders in your life.
Understand what the word of God says
Gaining a deep understanding of what the word of God says about sin is crucial on your journey to victory. Let’s delve into the Scriptures to uncover the truth concerning your life.
Romans chapter 6 provides valuable insights into our new status in Christ when we confess Him as Lord. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are declared dead to sin and alive in Christ.
Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
The grace of God through Christ Jesus empowers us to live above sin. The moment we receive His grace, we are dead to sin. Romans 6:6 states that “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”
When we accept Jesus as Lord, we become new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). Our old selves have passed away, crucified with Christ, granting us freedom over sin.
In Romans 6:9-12, we are reminded that “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires”
This truth requires both belief and action. First, we must believe that we are dead to sin and that Christ lives in us. Second, we must yield ourselves to this belief, aligning our actions with our faith.
Romans 6:13-14 “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master…”
As you journey towards victory over sin, continually immerse yourself in the truth of Scripture and align your thoughts, beliefs, and actions accordingly.
Walk in the understanding of the word of God:
Walking in the understanding of the word of God requires actively applying its principles in your daily life. Here are some key practices to help you on this journey:
- Constant Study of the Word of God:
Strengthen your faith by immersing yourself in the word of God. Continuously study and meditate on Scripture, day and night. Seek to understand your identity in Christ, for through this knowledge, you will progressively become more like Him.
- Constant Confessing or Praying of the Word of God:
It’s not enough to merely study the word; confessing it is equally powerful. Speak the word of God aloud and use it to combat the enemy’s attempts to deceive you otherwise. God’s plan is for you to surrender your spirit, soul, and body to Him (1 Thess. 5:23). When you confess the word of God, you align your mind and body with the truth of God’s promises.
Here are a few scriptures you can personalize and confess daily to strengthen your spirit, renew your mind, and bring your body into subjection:
Romans 6:2 “May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”
Romans 6:7 “for he who has died is freed from sin.”
Romans 6:11 “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 5:24 “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Colossians 3:3 “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
2 Timothy 2:11 :It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him”
1 Peter 2:24 “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”
Romans 6:6 “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin”
Colossians 3:5 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry”
As you continually confess these scriptures, personalized and spoken in faith, the saving power of God will work through your mortal body. Confess them as you go out and come in, and you will walk in victory through Christ Jesus. Also, give yourself to continual prayers.
Check out our Prayers category for access to various types of prayers to enhance your spiritual journey
- Submit to someone for accountability:
Finally, If you are battling with addiction or any persistent struggle, seek accountability by submitting to someone trustworthy. Satan thrives in secrecy and desires to isolate you. Open up to a reliable individual, maybe your pastor, you break free from his hold. Pray to God for guidance in finding the right person to whom you can be accountable. Trust in His direction, for He will lead you on the path to freedom.
