Let's open our Bibles to Romans 8:12-13.

Kill your sin or it will kill you!

1. To kill your sin, remember your obligation, not to the flesh, but to the Lord (v.12)

a. Those who live habitually according to the flesh, or “in the flesh,” are not truly born again

b. We have no obligation or debt to the flesh – we owe it nothing

2. To kill your sin, understand the horrific consequence if you do not kill it—it will kill you (v.13a)

a. A life of unchecked sin leads to eternal death

i. Col. 3:5 “Therefore, put to death the members which are upon the earth to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry”

b. Sin is not neutral, and it definitely is not nice

i. Satan tries to get us to minimize the serious nature of our sin

ii. Sin is tolerated as normal and repackaged as a good thing

3. To kill your sin, put it to death by the Spirit and you will live (v.13b)

a. John Owen: “When sin lets us alone, we may let sin alone.”

i. Purpose to be godly and discipline yourself for that purpose

ii. Kill your sin at its root and it will not bear its deadly fruit

iii. Cry out to God for deliverance and take whatever action you must to flee temptation

iv. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit, not on the things of the flesh

v. Spend time daily in the word of God

vi. Keep the cross in view at all times to deepen your love for Christ, your hatred of sin, and your desire to glorify God

vii. Walk each day in dependence on the Holy Spirit