Genesis 4:7 NIV

What is sin?

Failure to do the will of God: either by commission (doing what is wrong) or omission (not doing what is right).

Pride is at the center of all sin. Self, “the unholy Trinity” (Me, Myself, & I) is often your own worst enemy. Put another way: I is in the middle of S – I – N. To be sinful is to be full of self.

Sin is not something that just happens to you. To suddenly “find” yourself in some act of sin, without former thought, is a malevolent misnomer; justification for being a helpless victim. Rather, it begins in the thoughts of the mind and ends in the behavior of the body, not the other way around (Mt. 15:19). That is why to “repent” (metanoia) means to change your way of thinking/mindset; to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Behavior follows as a result of that change or lack of thereof.

Sin is not based on your opinions, preferences, and beliefs or that of others, but solely on the Law of God found in God’s Word (Ro. 7:12). The challenge is that it be “rightly divided” (2 Ti. 2:15); understood and applied.

Some exhortations to rule over sin – (2 Corinthians 2:11)

  • Be alert & vigilant, sin crouches in low profile for ambush (1 Pt. 5:8)
  • When you determine to do right expect distractions to do wrong (Ro. 7:21-23)
  • Desire of the flesh is contrary to desire of the spirit (Ro. 7:19)
  • Anger & depression are evidence of inner fight and defeatist mindset (Ro. 12:2)
  • Do not yield & surrender to the Lie, but stand on the Truth & fight (Ep. 6:14)
  • You are not a helpless victim of temptation but given a way out of it (1 Co. 10:13)
  • Own your authority as a child of God (Mt. 18:18)
  • Exercise the authority/Name given to you by God (Mt. 28:18)
  • Practice self-discipline; resistance to flesh (James 4:3)
  • Guard your heart, mouth, eyes, and feet (Prov. 4:23-27)


Ruling over sin is never easy to do, neither is it advisable to do alone. Guaranteed, your own will power will eventually fail you (I know that well myself). However, the company of others beats “riding solo” (men do that all the time). Above all remember: by faith you have a great high priest in heaven who understands and intercedes for you. Continually and humbly go to Him with grace and confidence; the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian, do you? Will you?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
Hebrews 12:1 ESV

—RWO/MAST