6030 sin, avoidance of

God calls his people to avoid sin, and through Jesus Christ gives them the inner power to be victorious over it.

God’s people are to resist sin

1Pe 2:11 See also Ps 97:10; Pr 4:23-27; 1Co 15:34; Eph 4:25-5:20; Jas 1:21

The Christian life is a constant struggle against sin

Heb 3:13 See also Ac 20:28; Ro 7:14-25; Eph 6:10-18; 1Pe 5:8-9

God helps his people to resist sin

Release from sin through Jesus Christ’s death 1Pe 2:24 See also Ro 6:1-7; Gal 2:20; Gal 5:24; Col 2:11-12

The avoidance of sin through new life in Jesus Christ 1Jn 3:9 See also 2Co 5:17; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jn 3:6; 1Jn 5:18

Believers co-operate with Jesus Christ to avoid sin

Php 2:12-13

Believers are to put to death what is sinful in them Col 3:5 See also Ro 6:11-14; Ro 8:13

Believers are to exchange sinful for righteous behaviour Ro 13:12-14 The words used here, and in similar passages, are those used for “taking off” old clothes and “putting on” new ones. See also Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:7-10; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:22

Believers are to allow the Spirit to inform and direct their conduct Ro 12:2 See also Ro 8:5-8; Gal 5:16-25

Practical steps for overcoming sin and temptation

Meditation on Scripture Ps 119:11 See also Ps 18:22-23; Mt 4:1-11 pp Lk 4:1-13; 2Ti 3:16-17

Prayerful dependence upon God Mt 6:13 pp Lk 11:4 See also Ps 19:13; Mt 26:41; 1Co 10:13; Heb 4:15-16

Active seeking of the good Ro 6:19 See also Ps 34:14; Isa 1:16-17; Am 5:14-15; 1Th 5:22; 3Jn 11

Incentives for avoiding sin

The fear of God Pr 16:6 See also Ex 20:20; Pr 3:7; Pr 8:13

The holiness of God 1Pe 1:15-16 See also Lev 11:44-45; Lev 19:2; Lev 20:7; 1Co 6:18-20; 1Th 4:7

The expectation of Jesus Christ’s return 1Pe 4:7 See also 2Co 5:9-10; 1Th 5:4-6; 2Pe 3:10-14

A consideration of the consequences of sin Gal 6:7-8 See also Mk 9:42-48; Ro 6:21-23; Heb 6:7-8; Heb 10:26-31

The need to be a good witness to unbelievers 1Pe 2:15 See also 1Pe 3:1-2,15-16

The role of others in avoiding sin

Bad company is to be avoided 1Co 15:33 See also Dt 7:1-4; Ps 1:1; Pr 1:10; 1Co 5:1-13

A good example is to be followed 1Co 11:1 See also Php 3:17; Php 4:9; Heb 12:1-3; 1Pe 4:1-3

Believers are to support one another Jas 5:19-20 See also Mt 18:15-17; Gal 6:1-2; 1Ti 5:20; Heb 3:12

See also