Text: John 8:34-36
In the verses before this, Jesus explained that the truth is able to make us free (John 8:32). Free from what? From sin. Sin enslaves those who commit it. How does it do this? It is not by somehow removing our free will. So how does it happen? In this lesson, we will notice seven ways sin enslaves us.
By Telling Us There Are No Consequences
- This is what Satan did in the Garden when he tempted Eve (Genesis 3:1-6) – “You surely will not die!“
- There are eternal consequences for sin (Romans 6:23)
- There are also consequences in this life (Proversb 13:15)
By Telling Us There Is No Chance to Overcome
- Many portray the battle to overcome sin as being completely hopeless (misapplication of Romans 7:19-20)
- God has promised a way of escape whenever we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- Jesus showed us how to do it (Hebrews 4:15) – we need to follow His example
By Telling Us of All the Pleasures of Sin
- Moses chose to give up the “passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24-26)
- There is no denying that there is some pleasure derived from certain sins – yet it is temporary
- We need to develop self-control – learn to deny self (Luke 9:23) to avoid doing what is wrong
By Telling Us That Everyone Is in the Same Condition
- Sin is a universal problem (Romans 3:23) – but some act as though Christians are still like the world in this
- We are not to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2)
- We are to be different from the world (Romans 12:1-2)
By Becoming a Habit
- When we do something often enough, it becomes our default behavior (cf. Jeremiah 6:15) – we do it without thinking
- We must not allow our conscience to become seared (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
- Instead, develop a habit of doing what is right (Acts 9:36)
By Becoming a Coping Mechanism for Hardships in Life
- Satan thought this would work with Job (Job 1:8-11) – because it works so often
- When we face hardships, we need to turn to the Lord (1 Peter 5:7)
- There more we focus on God’s promises, the “lighter” our troubles seem (2 Corinthians 4:17)
By Shifting Our Focus Off of Jesus
- Remember when Peter walked on water with Jesus (Matthew 14:24-31) – he began to sink when he lost focus
- By focusing on Jesus, we can lay aside the sin that entangles us (Hebrews 12:1-2)
- We are to follow His perfect example (1 Peter 2:21-25) – not continue to go astray
Conclusion
- Jesus came to set us free from sin – this was made possible through His sacrifice on the cross
- But to take advantage of this freedom, we need to understand how sin enslaves us
- Even after being set free from sin, we do not want to become enslaved again
