Break Free, Part 6: Taking the Step

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 
– John 8:34-36

To have victory over “besetting/habitual” sin, I must:

the sin – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

how vulnerable I am to the pattern of sin – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

at all costs – Reject every kind of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22

my sin has caused in others – Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? – 1 Corinthians 5:6

Choose to – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5

Welcome God’s – They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. – Hebrews 12:10-13

Recognize and receive God’s – Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:4

Anchor my heart in my true – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Choose over – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18

Quickly when I get it wrong – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Accept for my own actions – 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? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 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. – Romans 6:1-6

Give to a new pattern of living – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

(Acknowledgement given to Gregory Brown and Bible.org)

Small Group Questions

1. Are you dreaming of the summer already? What do enjoy the most about summer where
   you live?
2. When you read John 8:34-36, what does God say to you about freedom?
3. Read aloud all the steps and scripture listed in the outline. Which of the steps is easiest/most difficult for you in terms of gaining freedom and victory?
4. Take some time and go back to Genesis 20. Find the passage about the lie of Abraham. What is God saying to you about your own besetting sin through the life and example of Abraham?
5. In what areas of your life are you breaking free?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?