How To Stop The Sin In Your Life

Sermon Introduction

We believe in the free gift of salvation—not of works, not of turning from sin, not of cleaning up your life. The Gospel is simple: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

Acts 16:30-31
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

It’s simple and easy to be saved, but after you’re saved, you need to grow. You need to fight sin. You need to clean house.

Sin will never take your salvation, but it can steal your joy, wreck your testimony, corrupt your family, and ruin your life.

Today, I want to show you how to stop the sin in your life—not with self-help, but with real spiritual power and practical steps.

I. Acknowledge The Seriousness Of Sin

You’ll never stop sin until you stop treating it like it’s something you want to keep around. You’ve got to see it for what it is—a killer. Sin will kill you. You wouldn’t want to keep a serial killer around, right? You want to get as far away from sin as you can.

Romans 6:12-13
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Paul didn’t say sin disappeared after salvation—he said don’t let it reign in your mortal body. That means you still have a choice. Don’t obey the lusts from within.

You can yield to sin or you can yield to God—but not both at once.

Write it down. Identify your struggle. Stop hiding it in excuses. Call it what God calls it—and make the decision that it doesn’t belong in your life anymore. You can get rid of sin out of your life. You do not need those things that you think you need.

You have POWER within you from God, and you can stop. You can get things right.

II. Know That Sin Has No Dominion Over You

You’re not under its control unless you put yourself back under it. Make sure you hear me today. It makes me very sad to see sin taking dominion over you. Get rid of it.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Hey, look, we’re in this together. I want to win this battle with you. I need your help. I need you to fight against the sin in your life.

Romans 6:6-7
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

You’re not helpless. You’re not stuck.

Sin might knock at your door, but it doesn’t have the keys. You’ve been raised with Christ—walk like it.

You can say this within yourself when you’re having trouble with sin. “Sin has no dominion over me. I belong to Jesus. I am free from sin. Repeat that. I am free from sin.”

III. Starve The Sin And Feed The Spirit

Sin can’t survive if you stop feeding it.

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Your flesh will lust after things.

Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Now, what types of things are people lusting after out there?

1. Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drugs, Pills, Weed)

Escaping pain instead of confronting it through God.

Proverbs 23:31-32
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

• Alcohol is glorified out here—it’s poison with a fancy label.
• Pills and weed are treated like medicine—but they’re just spiritual sedation.
• Kids learn addiction from their own parents.

2. Sexual Sin (Fornication, Adultery, Pornography, LGBTQ Activity)

Flesh looks for intimacy where there’s no covenant.

Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

• No marriage, just hookups. This is great sin.
• Kids born without fathers because men are led by lust.
• LGBTQ is being pushed on young people who don’t know the truth.

3. Covetousness and Greed (Fast Money, Gambling, Theft)

Envy becomes fuel for crime, fraud, or foolish spending.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Proverbs 28:22
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

• The flesh wants more than it earns and faster than it deserves.
• People buy lottery tickets when they can’t even buy groceries.
• Covetousness ruins homes, friendships, and churches.

4. Gluttony and Riotous Spending (Junk Food, Fireworks, Flashy Looks)

Flesh spends money for fun instead of survival.

Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Luke 15:13
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

• People are hungry—but spending $100 on fireworks to look rich for 10 seconds.
• Food stamps go to chips, soda, and fried food—not nutrition.
• It’s not a money problem—it’s a wisdom problem.

5. Pride and Rebellion (Fighting, Disrespect, Gang Culture)

Pride takes offense and avoids submission to any authority.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

• Can’t hold a job because “nobody tells me what to do.”
• Fighting in schools, at parks, in front of their own children.
• Gang signs instead of godly signs.

6. Slothfulness and Excuses (Laziness, Government Dependency, No Discipline)

The flesh avoids hard things and blames others.

Proverbs 24:30-31
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

Proverbs 26:13-14
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

• Excuses are easier than effort.
• Laziness becomes a generational curse if not broken.
• Men who don’t work produce children they don’t raise.

7. Entertainment Addiction (Music, TikTok, Phone Addiction, Video Games)

The flesh feeds on distraction to avoid conviction.

2 Timothy 3:4
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

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.

• Music glorifies sin and trains the flesh to hate righteousness.
• TikTok disciples more children than their parents do.
• Phones keep people distracted, deceived, and dead inside.

Those 7 things are just a start: 1) substance abuse, 2) sexual sin, 3) covetousness & greed, 4) gluttony & wasteful spending, 5) pride & rebellion, 6) slothfulness & excuses, 7) entertainment addiction.

You can’t entertain that filth all week and expect to walk in holiness on Sunday. What you feed grows—what you starve dies. Sin has a fuel line. Cut it. You need to figure out the sin in your life and start starving it to death.

Trash the playlist of trashy music. Cut off the social media trash. End the toxic relationship. If you aren’t married, you shouldn’t be having sexual relationships. I didn’t say it. God said it. He made you. He’ll end you.

If it feeds the flesh, starve it until it dies. Get into spiritual things like church.

IV. Replace The Sin With A Spiritual Habit

Victory isn’t just about subtracting sin—it’s about adding holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Matthew 12:43-45
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

An empty heart is a target. You can’t just stop sin—you must fill your life with righteousness. Clean the house, but then fill it with truth, worship, and service. Don’t get rid of one sin and come back with seven more sins.

Turn temptation into training.

• Struggling with lust? Start memorizing verses daily.
• Wrestling with anger? Begin a morning praise routine.
• Gossiping? Start writing encouragement notes.
• Caught in bitterness? Begin a gratitude journal and list five blessings every morning.
• Tempted by pornography? Set a Scripture or prayer reminder to pop up on your phone.
• Battling laziness? Start your day with a timed to-d- list and morning walk with prayer.
• Struggling with envy or covetousness? Pray for others to be blessed and mean it.
• Wrestling with fear and anxiety? Start quoting God’s promises out loud every time worry hits.
• Addicted to social media or phone time? Get away from it one hour a day and read the Bible.
• Falling into pride and focusing on yourself? Start serving someone without getting credit.

V. Get Accountability And Godly Friendships

You weren’t meant to fight alone. Find you some good friends here and ask them to help you. When you are tempted, give that person a call and just talk about God or the Bible. Ask them to pray for you.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

The devil works in isolation. God works in fellowship. You need someone who prays for you, checks on you, and speaks truth when you’re weak.

Find someone strong and spiritual. Tell them your struggle. Say: “Help me fight this.” You’re not weak for needing help—you’re wise. Help each other. That’s why this church is here. Stick together. Let’s get better. Let’s do better.

VI. Stay In Church And Stay Engaged

Church isn’t a suggestion. It’s a shield.

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

If you drift from church, you drift toward sin. Church keeps you accountable, fed, focused, and on fire.

Don’t just attend—engage.

• Greet someone.
• Help clean.
• Serve somewhere.

The more you pour into God’s work, the less time you have to fall into sin. This works. Go soul winning with us. Just go. Don’t worry about what will happen. Just go with us.

VII. Remember Who You Are In Christ

You don’t fight sin by focusing on sin. You fight by focusing on Christ.

Colossians 3:3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

You’re not who you used to be. You’re not a sinner trying to do better—you’re a saint growing in grace. You are a new creation in Christ. You don’t have to be defined by your struggle. You’ve already been identified with the cross.

Speak this when you’re tempted: “Jesus paid for this. He suffered for this sin. I’m not picking it back up. I’m not doing it again because I love Jesus Christ.”

Hey, remember what Jesus did for you.

Conclusion – You’re Not Powerless

1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

There’s a way out. There’s a way up. There’s a way through. God already gave you the power—you just need to walk in it.

CALL TO ACTION

1. Acknowledge your sin before God. Ask Him for help.
2. Cut the fuel line—starve the flesh.
3. Replace it with prayer, worship, and truth.
4. Get a spiritual ally. Get some friends here to help.
5. Stay planted in church. Always get here.
6. Remember—you are in Christ, and sin has no dominion over you.

Hey, let’s get the sin out of your life. Let’s pray.