Text Verse: Romans 6:12, ESV
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.”
Are you addicted to selfish sinful desires? Are you living defeated under a cloud of guilt and shame? Are you a sin addict? Everyday we are confronted with choices between holiness and wickedness. You may say “I’m a pretty good person.” As compared to whom? The Bible says “there are none good, no not one. It seems hopeless sometimes doesn’t it. We resign our selves to the statement “I’m just a sinner saved by grace” and really don’t try very hard. There is a problem with that attitude. The Word of God never uses the title Sinner for us after salvation. The Lord’s expects us to be holy even as he is holy.
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
[14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
In a world full of distractions, pressures, and temptations, the Bible reminds us of the power and strength that comes from simply saying “no.” By resisting temptation, we build spiritual resilience and grow stronger in our faith. Scripture shows us that to say “no”—to self, sin, and society—is foundational to leading a holy life. Temptation is everywhere, but as we see in the narratives of Matthew 4 and Romans 7, we can resist by relying on God’s strength and understanding His Word.
Here’s how scripture encourages us to “just say no” and find victory.
1. Say No to Self
Often, the first battle we face is with our own desires. Scripture warns us of the danger of unchecked passions and the need for self-discipline. Breaking our selfish sinful addictions begins with saying no to self.
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Even in the earliest chapters of the Bible, we see a choice presented: obey God or give in to sin. God instructs Cain to “rule over” sin, showing us that we are not helpless. With His help, we can say “no” to our base desires, choosing instead what pleases God.
Psalm 19:13 – “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.”
David prays for strength against sin’s dominion, asking God to guard him against sins that would control him. This shows us that saying “no” leads us to a life of blamelessness and freedom from guilt.
1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul emphasizes self-discipline as essential to a strong faith. Our bodies and desires should serve God, not the other way around. Through discipline, we grow stronger, avoiding the trap of hypocrisy and walking in integrity.
2. Say No to Sin
Temptation often comes from within, but we are called to say “no” to sinful desires and choose holiness.
Romans 8:12-13 – “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Paul urges us to live by the Spirit, putting to death the sinful deeds of the flesh. Saying “no” to sin brings life, peace, and closer fellowship with God.
Galatians 5:16-17 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Here, we are given a practical solution for resisting sin: walk by the Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with God, it becomes easier to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to the Spirit’s guidance.
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Paul calls us to put sinful habits to death, underscoring the urgency of saying “no” to destructive behaviors. Choosing holiness over sin strengthens our character and draws us closer to God.
3. Say No to Society
The world often pressures us to conform, but we are called to stand apart, resisting societal temptations and values that conflict with God’s.
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
In a culture that constantly bombards us with messages to follow our desires, this verse reminds us to guard our hearts. Vigilance protects us from societal influences that could lead us astray, helping us stay focused on God’s truth.
Proverbs 25:28 – “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Without self-control, we are defenseless against the world’s temptations. But with God’s strength, we can say “no” to what society offers, standing firm in our convictions.
1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
Peter calls believers to live as “sojourners,” resisting worldly passions that war against the soul. When we remember that our true home is with God, it’s easier to say “no” to societal pressures and stay faithful to Him.
1 John 2:15-16 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Loving the world makes it difficult to say “no” to its temptations. But by keeping our love focused on God, we grow stronger, equipped to resist the world’s empty promises.
The Power of Resisting Temptation: Lessons from Jesus and Paul
In Matthew 4, Jesus models for us the strength of saying “no” to temptation. After fasting for forty days, He faces Satan’s offers of comfort, power, and prestige. Each time, Jesus resists, quoting scripture to counter the devil’s lies. This shows us that God’s Word equips us to stand firm.
In the wilderness, Jesus embodied three profound sources of spiritual strength: strength through the Spirit, strength through fasting, and power through the Word. Each of these formed a foundation for His resistance against temptation and offers a model for believers today.
Strength Through the Spirit: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1), relying fully on the Spirit’s guidance. This reliance reflects how God’s Spirit empowers His people. In the Old Testament, we see similar strength in Gideon, who, though initially fearful, was empowered by the Spirit to lead Israel against the Midianites (Judges 6:34). In the New Testament, Paul reminds us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7), underscoring the Holy Spirit’s role in strengthening believers.
Strength Through Fasting: Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, deepening His reliance on God rather than physical needs. Fasting has long been a way for God’s people to draw near to Him in humility and dependence. Moses, for example, fasted forty days on Mount Sinai as he received the law (Exodus 34:28), and it was during this time that he communed deeply with God. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the importance of fasting as a practice for His followers, saying, “When you fast… your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18), showing that fasting is a means to deepen our dependence on God.
Power Through the Word: In each temptation, Jesus responds with Scripture, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s Word. He quotes Deuteronomy, affirming that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). This principle resonates in the Old Testament, where Joshua is instructed, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth… for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8). The New Testament also reinforces this power in Ephesians, where Paul calls the Word of God the “sword of the Spirit,” equipping believers for spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:17).
Through these three strengths—Spirit, fasting, and the Word—Jesus not only overcame temptation but also illustrated how believers can live in the fullness of God’s power. Each resource provides a way to stand firm against challenges, revealing that true spiritual strength is anchored in God alone.
Paul’s reliance on Jesus to defeat sin
Paul’s journey through the struggles of temptation and sin provides a powerful testimony of reliance on God’s grace and strength. In Romans 7, he honestly describes the inner conflict every believer faces: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). This passage reveals Paul’s awareness of the human tendency toward sin, even for those who desire to follow God. However, Paul’s response is not to surrender to defeat but to cry out, “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).
Paul’s declaration of victory over sin comes fully into focus in Romans 8, where he begins by praising God for the freedom found in Christ: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Through Christ, the law of the Spirit has set believers free from the law of sin and death, enabling them to live in the Spirit rather than be enslaved by the flesh (Romans 8:2-4).
Paul’s power to resist temptation is grounded in his dependence on the Spirit and his confidence in God’s victory. He encourages believers that the Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27). As he concludes in Romans 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Paul’s response to the struggle is not defeat but a resounding affirmation that, through God’s Spirit, we have the power to overcome temptation and walk in victory.
Saying No Makes You Stronger
Saying “no” is not a sign of weakness but of strength. With each refusal to indulge in sin, we grow stronger in spirit, closer to God, and more grounded in faith. The journey to holiness requires discipline, courage, and commitment, but as Romans 6:12 reminds us, sin does not have to reign in our bodies. Through Christ, we are empowered to say “NO”
Say Yes to the Savior
While the power of “no” helps us resist sin, the strength to live a holy life truly begins with a “yes” to Jesus. Saying “yes” to the Savior means surrendering our lives, our desires, and our will to Him, trusting Him as the source of our strength and hope.
John 15:4-5 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Jesus reminds us that only through abiding in Him can we bear lasting fruit. By saying “yes” to a close, daily relationship with Jesus, we draw from His strength and are empowered to resist temptation.
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Saying “yes” to Jesus means allowing Him to bear our burdens and find rest in His grace. As we take on His yoke, we discover that a life submitted to the Savior is marked not by striving but by peace and true purpose.
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul’s testimony reminds us that to say “yes” to Jesus is to surrender our lives fully to Him. By identifying with Christ in His death and resurrection, we live by faith, transformed and empowered by His love.
A Life of Yes and No
Our walk with God requires both “yes” and “no.” Saying “yes” to the Savior and “no” to sin, self, and society fills our lives with purpose, peace, and power. With each “yes” to Jesus, we find strength to resist temptation, experience joy in obedience, and grow closer to Him. Let us choose daily to say “yes” to the Savior, who gives us everything we need to lead a life that honors God.