The apostle Paul wrote that he had been set free from sin and had become slaves to righteousness.The idea of being free from sin can be confusing since all humans fall short of perfect.Being free from sin doesn't mean that you'll never sin again, but it means that your soul can be free of the captivity sin would otherwise hold it in.
Step 1: Define sin.
"Sin holiness" means anything that falls short of the holiness of God.Actions are the easiest to spot, but sins can include thoughts and attitudes.The desire to perform certain actions is considered a sin.Wanting to commit adultery is just as bad as actually committing adultery.Temptation isn't a sin.If you're put in a compromising situation with someone you find physically attractive, you may be tempted to act on that attraction.The act of committing adultery as a result of acting on that attraction is the sin.It's not just feeling tempted to do so.
Step 2: Accept that we are sinners.
The fall of Adam and Eve, the first humans, marked the end of all humankind.Humans are sinners because of their nature.You don't have to learn how to sin.Sin is fixed inside of you at the very core of your being from the time you were born.
Step 3: Understand the meaning of Christ's sacrifice.
The sins of humanity were carried by Jesus when he died.The debt of original sin was canceled out by Christ's sacrifice.The Old Testament used animal sacrifice as a way of repentance.The stain of original sin still remained even though the sacrifice were imperfect.Jesus was 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 of sin.
Accepting Christ and being freed from sin doesn't mean that you will never do evil things again.Your spirit was freed by the sacrifice of Christ.Your body, mind, and heart will have to deal with everyday sin.Even though your body still sins, your soul can be free from sin.Even though sin can never be permanently reached, being free from sin on a soul level should mean that you also seek freedom from it on the physical level.
Step 5: Go to Christ.
Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross in order to save the soul from the consequences of sin.Before your soul can truly be free, you have to make a conscious decision to accept the offer of salvation.Ask Christ to come into your life, forgive your sins, and set you free if you haven't already done so.This is the beginning of the process.If you don't rely on Christ to free you from original sin, you'll still be captive to it.
Step 6: You should love God more than you do sin.
Doing the right thing out of a sense of duty is legalism.God wants you to be happy.If you come to love God more than you do your sins, you will begin to shift away from your sinful nature.Don't worry about avoiding wicked works of the flesh until you do good works.You are less likely to be drawn to evil when you fix your eyes on good.If you want to overcome sin or temptation, use something good.If you want to stop stewing in anger toward someone else, do something nice for someone you love.If you act on the impulse to do something good, you can distract yourself from doing bad.
Step 7: It is important to recognize the seriousness of your own sin.
Habitual sins are embedded into a person's life in a way that makes them hard to acknowledge.You may think that a particular sin isn't that serious because it's a bad habit.If you acknowledge how serious your own sins are, you can break free from that sin and a lifestyle of sin.All sin falls short of God's holiness.The littlest lie and most gruesome murder are included.Members of addiction support groups are usually asked to admit to their addiction.A person cannot fix a problem until he or she admits to having it.You have to admit to the sins you've committed in order to break away from sin.
Step 8: Fight sin in your heart.
You must promise God that you will seek good and avoid sin.The intention to stay on the right path must be true even when you mess up.You may need to do some soul-searching if you can't make this vow.If your desire to resist sin still isn't sincere and that lack of sincerity is causing you to hesitate, pray to God, asking Him to give you the right heart and mind to abandon your sinful lifestyle and turn to a life in the spirit.
Step 9: You can put the Word of God in your mind.
The Word of God is the most powerful weapon against sin in your life.It's a good idea to study the Scriptures regularly.purity of understanding is your goal.A thorough understanding of God's Word can help you identify sin more quickly and prepare for the temptations and traps that could lead you there.Regular Bible study can make you more aware of God's promises and strengthen your faith.As your understanding of God's love increases, your desire to love the things that God loves will increase, too, making it easier to resist that which is wicked.
Step 10: Pray with dedication.
Asking God to guide your steps will help you avoid sin.If you are facing a present temptation, continue to pray in this manner.Even though you don't specifically pray for strength against temptation, prayer of all kind is still useful in the fight against sin.You can communicate with God through prayer.Your interest in sin will fade as your love for God deepens.
Step 11: There is a movement of sin in your life.
Every person has his or her own weaknesses, and those weaknesses may vary from person to person.Look for signs of sin in your own actions and thoughts.Habitual sins are more difficult to identify than the ones you are most familiar with.It is possible to spot them by looking for thoughts and actions that drive a wedge between you and God.
Step 12: Don't accept temptation.
Don't put your soul at risk by testing your faith.Don't confront temptation when you see it lying ahead of you.The goal is to avoid sinning, so any steps you can take to reach that goal are good steps to take.Since confronting temptation only increases your risk of caving in, it is wise to avoid the temptation to sin altogether.Holding onto the answer sheet for the duration of the exam will make you more likely to use it.You won't do it if you return it to the instructor, because the temptation to cheat is gone.
Step 13: If you want to walk with others, walk alone.
It's a personal commitment to a life free of sin.You need to be prepared to walk apart from the crowd when you befriend people who can help you stay committed.Even if the crowd is made of religious or well-meaning people, following them constantly will get you into trouble.Everyone is flawedRegardless of who else is following the path that God has put in front of you, you need to be able to see it.Spending time with people who share your beliefs can help keep you accountable.Through discussion and acts of love, you can enhance your understanding of God.
Step 14: Repent immediately.
If you do sin, immediately and sincerely confess.You shouldn't waste time trying to justify your actions.Excuses to yourself and God will affect your improvement.Even though your soul has been freed from the chains of original sin, you can only ask for forgiveness for your own sins if you take them to God.You should ask for the strength to turn away from the same sin in the future during your repentance.
Step 15: Don't give up.
You need to keep trying, no matter how many times you fall.The struggle against sin is more than one issue.It's something you'll have to face for the rest of your life.It's a struggle you don't have to face alone.God has freed your soul from sin and will not abandon you in your efforts to resist sin in the flesh.As long as you cling to God, you'll experience the benefit of the victory.You can remind yourself of the reward by meditating on the promise of salvation that God has made to you.It can be hard to resist sin if you only think of the present moment.Shift your focus to the source of satisfaction that is waiting for you in the future.