Surrendering to the Enemy: How Sin Drains the Soul and How to Break Free
The Illusion of Profession Without Possession
It is possible to profess Christ with the lips while denying Him with the life. Jesus Himself warned:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
When a person claims the name of Jesus but persists in lying, drunkenness, and fornication, they place themselves in a dangerous spiritual position. These sins are not mere “bad habits” or “slip-ups.” They are ongoing acts of surrender to the enemy’s control. They are the fruit of a divided heart—a heart that desires Christ for His benefits but refuses His Lordship.
The Emotional and Spiritual Fallout
Persistent sin is not neutral. It leaves a trail of damage, both internally and externally. Below are some of the key negative effects a professing Christian will experience if they remain in willful disobedience.
1. Loss of Spiritual Joy
David, after his own fall into grievous sin, cried out:
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)
Sin robs joy like a thief in the night. At first, it may promise pleasure and excitement, but afterward it leaves a taste of ash in the mouth. The Christian who continues in sin will find their worship mechanical, their prayers empty, and their Bible reading dry. God seems distant—not because He has moved, but because sin has erected a wall between the soul and its Savior.
2. Constant Guilt and Shame
The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin (John 16:8). But when sin is embraced rather than resisted, conviction turns into a gnawing sense of guilt. Instead of peace, the conscience becomes a battlefield. This internal war drains emotional energy, leading to feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and hopelessness.
Proverbs 28:1 describes it:
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
A guilty conscience makes a man a coward even when there is no direct accusation. Every sermon feels like it’s aimed at them. Every Bible verse feels like a dagger.
3. Erosion of Relationships
Sin isolates. Lying destroys trust. Drunkenness leads to reckless words and actions. Fornication cheapens love and erodes respect. Over time, friends drift away, marriages collapse, and family members pull back. The believer who persists in these sins will soon find themselves alone—not because people are “judging” them without cause, but because sin always pushes away true fellowship.
Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 15:33:
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”
Eventually, the believer’s company changes—godly friends fade, and ungodly companions become their comfort zone.
4. Hardened Heart Toward God
Hebrews 3:13 warns:
“Exhort one another daily… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Sin lies. It whispers, “It’s not that bad. God understands. You’ll repent later.” Over time, the heart becomes calloused. Conviction feels weaker. The things that once grieved the soul now barely cause a twinge of concern.
This is perhaps the most dangerous effect—because a hard heart is a step toward spiritual death.
5. Loss of Spiritual Authority
A Christian who is enslaved to sin cannot speak with power in spiritual matters. Their witness becomes hollow. Their prayers lose fervency. Even demons seem to know who truly walks with God and who does not (Acts 19:15). The enemy loves to mock a believer who talks about Christ while living in open rebellion.
Why This is Surrendering to the Enemy
The Bible describes the Christian life as warfare (Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Timothy 2:3–4). Sin is not merely a moral misstep—it is desertion in the heat of battle. To persist in sin is to lay down one’s weapons, remove the armor of God, and wave a white flag to Satan.
Romans 6:16 makes it plain:
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
Every act of lying, drunkenness, or fornication is not just a “mistake” but an act of allegiance—either to Christ or to the devil.
The Road Out: From Defeat to Victory
The good news is that no matter how deep the pit, the grace of God is deeper still. But grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to break free from sin’s chains (Titus 2:11–12). Below are biblical and practical steps for escaping the rut.
1. Genuine Repentance
Repentance is not merely feeling bad; it is a change of mind that results in a change of direction.
- Acknowledge the sin without excuse. David didn’t say, “Bathsheba shouldn’t have been bathing on the roof.” He said, “Against You, You only, have I sinned.” (Psalm 51:4)
- Turn from the sin completely. This may mean ending relationships, changing your phone number, deleting certain apps, or avoiding certain places.
- Hate the sin. Until sin becomes bitter, Christ will not become sweet.
2. Confession and Accountability
James 5:16 says:
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Find a trusted, mature believer or pastor and confess openly. This destroys the secrecy that sin thrives on. Accountability partners can pray, check in, and call out warning signs before a fall.
3. Deep Prayer and Fasting
Some spiritual chains are not broken by casual prayer. Jesus told His disciples, regarding a stubborn demonic presence:
“This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)
Fasting humbles the flesh and sharpens spiritual focus. It’s a way of declaring war against the sin that has enslaved you. Combined with fervent, daily prayer, it renews intimacy with God and strengthens resolve.
4. Immersion in the Word of God
The Psalmist says:
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
Daily Bible reading is not optional for victory—it is essential. Scripture renews the mind (Romans 12:2), exposes lies, and fuels the Spirit’s fire. Replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s promises.
5. Separation from Triggers
Paul commanded, “Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14)
- If drunkenness is the problem—remove alcohol from your home.
- If fornication is the problem—end immoral relationships and cut off pornographic influences.
- If lying is the problem—practice speaking the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.
Sin thrives in an accommodating environment. Remove the fuel, and the fire dies.
6. Return to the Fellowship of the Saints
Hebrews 10:25 reminds us not to forsake gathering with other believers. Isolation is the devil’s playground. Corporate worship, small groups, and serving others create an environment where spiritual growth is nurtured and sin is confronted.
7. Remember the Fear of the Lord
Some have reduced God to a friendly grandfather who winks at sin. But the Bible says:
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)
A healthy fear of God keeps us sober-minded. Eternity is real, judgment is coming, and hypocrisy will be exposed. Jesus warned,
“Whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)
Denying Christ is not only done with words—it can be done with actions that contradict His commands.
The Hope of Restoration
Peter denied Christ three times, yet was restored because he repented and returned to the Lord. The same mercy is available today. 1 John 1:9 promises:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The moment you turn back to God, He runs to meet you like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15). His forgiveness washes clean, His Spirit empowers, and His grace sustains.
A Final Word of Urgency
The longer sin remains, the deeper its roots grow. There is no guarantee of “later.” Many have said, “I’ll repent tomorrow,” only to find tomorrow never comes. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
If you are living in this spiritual rut—lying, drunkenness, fornication—you are not in a holding pattern; you are in a downward spiral. Every day is a step either toward the Lord or away from Him. Choose today whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).
Summary Prayer for Freedom:
“Lord Jesus, I confess my sin before You without excuse. I renounce every lie, every act of rebellion, and every compromise. Break the chains that hold me. Cleanse me by Your blood. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen me to walk in holiness. Let my life be a testimony of Your mercy and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Gods By Grace 
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