Breaking the Power of Sin — E.A. Johnston

The Christian Struggle With Sin

I believe, friends, there are many sincere Christians that struggle with sin. They want to be done with sin. But sin still rears its ugly head. And then a stumble comes, and shame sets in, and guilt and despair.

The Apostle Paul cried out, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The Apostle Paul wasn't a lost man when he wrote that, but a saved man. When we fall into sin, we confess it to the Lord and promise him next time we'll do better.

We make some better resolutions to God not to sin like that anymore. And we have victory for a while. And then what happens? Down we go again and end up in the pig wallow and dirt all over us. Let me say something to you, friend.

Christ Alone Breaks Sin's Power

You will never be able to liberate yourself from sin's power. You can't do it. I don't care how many good resolutions you make to God and how hard you try. You cannot liberate yourself from the power of sin in your life.

You can't do it. Another has to do it for you. And that person is the Lord Jesus Christ. Only Christ can break the power of sin in your life, friend. And that's the title of my message today, Breaking the Power of Sin.

Greater Is He Who Is in the Believer

And my text can be found in 1 John, in chapter 4. You can turn in your Bibles there now, friends. We will be in verse 4. And let me read us this striking passage of Scripture at this time. And may the Spirit of the Lord be pleased to attend the reading of His holy word.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them. Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Uh, there are two he's spoken of in this passage, friends. Oh, one from above and one from below.

One the prince of glory and the other the prince of this world. Oh, one reigns in the kingdom of glory as he sits on a throne. And the other roams the earth like a lion seeking who he may devour. Jesus in you, the hope of glory is greater than Satan in the world.

There is only one force greater than the power of the kingdom of darkness. And that is the kingdom of light and life through Jesus Christ. I want us to notice three aspects from our text today. And I will first list them and then elaborate upon each head.

Stay with me, friends. Number one, sin has the power to give pleasure. Number two, we have no power over sin because of our sin nature. And number three, only Christ can transform a life and break the power of sin in it.

The Temporary Pleasure and Pull of Sin

Let us look at this first aspect. Sin has the power to give pleasure. Why do you sin, friend? Because it is pleasing to you. It is enjoyable and exciting and pleasurable. That is, it is for a season. My Bible says in Hebrews, by faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Oh, I won't argue with you, friend, that it is pleasing to sin and sin is pleasurable. If it wasn't the dirty devil would go out of business. Why do people sin? It's fun. It's pleasurable. They love it and the thrill they get from it.

So sin has the power to give pleasure and it has a strong drawn power because each of us has a sin nature within that is bent towards sin. Listen to me, friend. You are not a sinner because you sin. Rather, you sin because you are a big sinner.

My Bible says in Job that a man drinks iniquity like water. We each have within us an inclination to sin that is not eradicated when we become Christians. The power of sin is still pulling and tugging at us all the time and your good resolutions won't help you, friend.

Human Effort Cannot Defeat the Sin Nature

And that brings us to the second aspect of our text. We have no power over sin because of our sin nature. Some people will try to suppress sin by saying, next time I'll do better. I'm gonna stop doing that.

It's not gonna control me anymore. And we double up our fists and grit our teeth and double dog determination not to sin again. Have you ever said things like that, friend? Be honest. And what happens?

A little time goes by and here comes a mud puddle. And instead of jumping over it, we dive right in with relish. Because we're old man, our Adamic nature loves to sin. Because we have that sin nature within, you can try to suppress it and stomp them down as much as you can.

But the old man will rear his ugly head and run for the pig wallow every time. Like I said, we have no power over sin, but it has power over us. Even if we strive against it, we are incapable of winning over it.

Now let that truth sink down in your mind and you will have a better understanding as to why you still sin and as to why you still cry out with the Apostle Paul. Oh, wretched man. Now that brings us to our final aspect of this passage.

Christ’s Transforming Power and Sanctifying Work

And this aspect is good news because it speaks of deliverance from sin. Because a third aspect is only Christ can transform a life and break the power of sin in it. Greater is he than he that is in the world.

Greater than he is where? Well, he's in you, friend. He's in you and he's greater than that he that is in the world. Christ within can give you the power over sin. He alone can do it. He puts his power in you.

So when he is in control, you'll have power over sin. The next time sin comes knocking at your door, don't answer it in the flesh or you will open the door and let sin in and welcome him as a guest. Rather, when sin comes knocking at your door, go get Jesus to answer the door and the temptation will flee because Christ won the victory over sin at Calvary.

Jesus not only saves us from the penalty of sin, but listen, friends, Jesus saves us from the power of sin every single time we give him free reign in our lives. He has the power. Christ has great power to transform your life.

Do you believe that, friend? Do you believe that Christ wants to change your life? Can you see that he puts his power in you? My Bible says in Hebrews, make you perfect in every good work to do his will.

Working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight. In other words, he delivers you from the power of sin through a transformation in your life, through sanctification by his spirit to enable you to live as you should, being well pleasing in his sight.

So if you learn these truths, which we have talked about today, you will not only have a better understanding as to why you struggle with sin, but also now possess the knowledge to do something about it, not in your strength and by your determination, which will only result in failure.

But to know that only Christ can transform a life and break the power of sin in it. Remember those two he's we talked about. They both have power, but Christ has more power. For greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

I hope this little message has helped you, friend. Always remember to turn to your faithful friend, the Lord Jesus. Let us pray.