How do I say “no” to sin?

Quick Answer: How do I say “no” to sin? We believers say “no” to sin by recognizing sinful thoughts do not come from us and that sin has no power over us (Romans 6:11-12). When sinful thoughts or temptations come our way, we can make the conscious decision to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. In this way, we express our genuine self (the new self) and we express Jesus at the same time.

Diving Deeper: Saying “no” to sin begins with a solid understanding of who we are in Christ and identifying the true source of sinful desires.

Scripture is clear that anyone who has died spiritually has been freed from sin’s power (Romans 6:7). This death doesn’t occur through rigorous Bible study and the keeping of various spiritual disciplines. This death already occurred when we believed in Jesus.

At salvation, a spiritual surgery took place. God crucified your old sinful self with Jesus, buried it, and raised you up through the resurrection of Jesus (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4). Because you are now dead to sin, you are not dominated by its power (Romans 6:2). You are no longer enslaved to sin. You have been enslaved to righteousness (Romans 6:18). Think of it this way: You are allergic to sin and addicted to Jesus!

Paul encourages believers to consider, or reckon, or count themselves dead to sin so that they don’t submit to its lusts (Romans 6:12). Note that the lusts belong to the power of sin, not to the believer. That’s right: Sin has its own desires that are different from your new, righteous desires.

So, the next time you find yourself facing temptation, you can remember those desires are not your own. They are ideas that actually war against you (1 Peter 2:11). You can then make the conscious decision to say “no” to sin and say “yes” to who you truly are!

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. How difficult has it been to say no to sin? If you know why, explain.
2. Do you think understanding the true source of sinful desires might help? Why or why not?
3. React to this statement: When a believer says “no” to sin, they’re saying “yes” to who they really are!”