Being a slave to sin means being in bondage to and dominated by sin. All people are born as slaves to sin due to the fall of man and inheritance of a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). Sin enslaves through deception, temptation, and addiction. It promises freedom but delivers only destruction (Proverbs 5:22; Romans 6:15-16). As slaves to sin, people are unable to save themselves or please God (Romans 8:7-8). The only hope is through faith in Jesus Christ, who frees from sin’s bondage and empowers righteousness (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:6,22).
The Condition: Enslaved to Sin from Birth
Every person is born a slave to sin due to inheriting a sinful nature from Adam (Romans 5:12). David acknowledged he was sinful from conception (Psalm 51:5). People are not sinners because they sin; they sin because they are sinners by nature (Ephesians 2:3). From birth, all are helpless captives who love darkness and hate light (John 3:19-20). They cannot understand or submit to God and cannot please Him (Romans 8:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14). This enslavement to sin affects the entire person – mind, emotions, will, and body. People are completely dominated by sin’s power.
The Power: Sin’s Deception and Allure
Sin gains its power of enslavement through deception and temptation (Hebrews 3:13). It promises freedom and fulfillment. Disobedience seems enjoyable and freeing at first, but it eventually leads to bondage (Proverbs 5:22; Romans 6:15-16). Sin appears enticing and desirable, though its end is bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword (Proverbs 5:4; Hebrews 3:13). Like Eve in the garden, sin deludes people into thinking disobedience leads to greater knowledge, freedom, and satisfaction. In reality, it leads only to misery (Genesis 3:4-7). Sin also addictively enslaves through fleshly lusts (2 Peter 2:18-19). Through its fleeting pleasures, sin gains dominance over the will. Though promising life, sin delivers only death (Romans 6:23).
The Deliverance: Freedom through Christ
Though all are slaves to sin, Jesus Christ provides the way to freedom (John 8:31-36). At salvation, the believer’s union with Christ breaks sin’s authority (Romans 6:6,18). Christ’s death ransomed from sin’s captivity and his resurrection life enables victory over sin (1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 6:8-14). Now alive to God in Christ, believers need not submit any longer to sin’s reign. The Spirit grants power to combat sinful desires and to pursue holiness (Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 8:5-14). Growing in grace further weakens sin’s influence as the mind and will are renewed (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24). Glory awaits when Christ finally terminates sin’s presence at the resurrection (1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:4). In Christ, believers are no longer enslaved but experience increasing freedom as they walk by the Spirit in obedience to God.
Indicators of Enslavement to Sin
Here are some indicators a person may still be enslaved to sin:
– Living habitually and impenitently in sin (1 John 3:4-10)
– Being dominated by evil desires and fleshly lusts (Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 2:16)
– Inability to resist temptation or control sinful behavior (Romans 7:14-19)
– Pursuing sin and rebellion over God and obedience (Proverbs 14:12; Ephesians 2:2-3)
– Rejecting Christ as Savior and Lord (John 3:19-21)
– Depending on works or self instead of Christ (Romans 4:4-5; Galatians 5:4)
– Lacking spiritual life and ability to understand God (1 Corinthians 2:14)
– Having no desire for God, prayer, worship, or fellowship (Psalm 10:4; 1 John 4:7-8)
– Producing only acts of the flesh, not fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25)
– Being under condemnation and God’s wrath (John 3:18, 36)
Where these fruits of slavery to sin are evident, the solution is found only in Christ, who alone provides true freedom from sin.
Characteristics of Those Freed from Sin
In contrast, here are characteristics that demonstrate freedom from sin’s dominion through faith in Christ:
– Having sincerely trusted in Christ’s atoning work on the cross (John 8:36; Romans 6:18)
– Exhibiting repentance from sin and godly sorrow over it (2 Corinthians 7:10)
– Growing in love for God and hatred of sin (Psalm 97:10; Romans 12:9)
– Desiring to obey and please God from the heart (Psalm 40:8; Romans 6:17)
– Hating, fighting, and striving against sin (Romans 7:15; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:4)
– Producing spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23)
– Overcoming temptation through Spirit-strengthened self-control (Galatians 5:16-17, 24)
– Walking in freedom and holiness in thought, word, and deed (Luke 1:74-75; Romans 6:4, 22)
– Experiencing victory over sin’s power and penalty (Romans 6:14; 8:1-4)
– Growing in grace and Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:10-11)
Where these fruits of freedom from sin are evident, praise God for the deliverance found in Christ! Continue seeking to walk in the obedience of faith and fulfill righteousness by the Spirit’s enablement.
Strategies for Those Enslaved to Break Free in Christ
For those realizing they are enslaved to sin and wanting freedom, here are biblical strategies to break sin’s bonds through faith in Christ:
1. Confess your inability to save yourself and cry out to Christ (Luke 18:13; Romans 7:24-25).
2. Ask God to grant repentance, give you a hatred of sin, and awaken your heart to follow Christ (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25).
3. Believe the gospel – trust that Christ died for your sins and rose again as your sole hope (Romans 1:16-17; 10:9).
4. Reckon yourself dead to sin’s power and alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11). Rely on His Spirit to enable obedience (Romans 8:12-13).
5. Make no provision for the flesh – avoid compromising situations and influences (Romans 13:14).
6. Flee from temptation and pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 2:11).
7. Fill your mind with Scripture to expose sin’s lies and renew your thinking (Psalm 119:11; Romans 12:2).
8. Pray, worship, fellowship, and serve as instruments of righteousness (Matthew 26:41; Romans 6:13, 16).
9. Walk in accountability relationships for encouragement, wisdom, and correction (Proverbs 27:17; Colossians 3:16).
10. Understand freedom from sin is a process – persevere in faith as you grow in holiness (1 John 3:6-9; Hebrews 12:1).
Enslaved to sin, look to Christ alone. His grace will free you as you walk in dependence on the Spirit. You will bear fruit to God as sin’s power fades and righteousness prevails in your life.
Cautions for Those Freed from Sin’s Bondage
For believers set free from slavery to sin, Scripture provides these cautions going forward:
– Do not let sin continue to reign in your body (Romans 6:12). Put to death earthly practices (Colossians 3:5).
– Do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh (Galatians 5:13). Freedom is to serve others.
– Do not be arrogant over sin, as if you will never be tempted (1 Corinthians 10:12). Take heed lest you fall.
– Do not grow complacent and neglect salvation’s riches (Hebrews 2:1-3). Be diligent to make your calling sure (2 Peter 1:10).
– Do not quench or grieve the Spirit who enables obedience (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Walk by the Spirit daily (Galatians 5:16).
– Do not love the world or become polluted by it (James 1:27; 1 John 2:15). Fix your eyes on Christ above (Colossians 3:1-4).
– Do not forsake the Lord’s commands. Walking rightly displays your freedom (Psalm 119:1-3; Romans 6:17-18).
As you stand fast in the freedom Christ purchased for you, rely on His grace to avoid entanglements with sin. Draw strength from Christ to walk in holiness until the day of full redemption comes.
Concluding Encouragements
If you remain enslaved to sin’s deceitful power, look to Christ alone to set you free by His redeeming grace. For those already freed, walk in the obedience of faith and do not entangle yourself again in sin’s web. Fix your eyes on Christ and rely on the Spirit to produce increasing freedom through pursuit of holiness. One day, the very presence of sin will be removed as all God’s people are perfectly liberated to enjoy and glorify Him forever!
