Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt

Episode: The Sin That’s Killing Us with John Elmore

Date: September 1, 2025
Guest: John Elmore, Pastor and Author of Freedom Starts Today

Episode Overview

In this episode, Madison Prewett Troutt dives deep with guest John Elmore into the realities of sin, addiction, and the hope of true freedom found in Christ. With unguarded honesty, John shares his personal battle with alcoholism and the spiritual principles that led to his transformation. Together, Madison and John debunk cultural lies about sin, discuss the power of confession, and provide listeners with practical, actionable steps to break the cycle of addiction and live in ongoing freedom. This conversation is both vulnerable and hope-filled—a true call to “stay true,” no matter how hard the struggle.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Defining Sin, Addiction, and True Freedom
• Breaking the Cycle of Addiction and Shame
• Confronting the Cultural Minimization and Justification of Sin
• The Supernatural Solution: Walking by the Holy Spirit
• Practical Tools for Daily Freedom
• The Role of Confession, Community, and Accountability
• Overcoming Generational Sin and Spiritual Strongholds

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Game: Truth or Dare – Sharing Our Grips (04:04)

• Madison introduces John as a close friend, pastor, and author.
• The “Truth or Dare” segment invites vulnerability about past struggles.
• Prompt: “What’s something that used to have a grip on you that you have finally moved past?”
• John shares candidly about his battle with alcoholism from early childhood through adulthood:
  • “Alcoholism. I started... my first drink, I remember a sip of beer on the patio at probably four or five years old.” (04:12)
  • Two doctors told him he was dying of alcoholism at age 30.

Notable Quote

“An idol will give you what you want because it’s you that it wants.”
— John Elmore (04:54)

2. The Anatomy of Addiction (08:04)

• Madison asks: How would you define addiction?
• John’s response:
  • Addiction is anything we repeatedly return to despite negative consequences—mirroring Paul’s struggle in Romans 7.
  • Sin persists because it offers a counterfeit pleasure or escape, but ultimately enslaves.

Scripture Reference

“I keep going back to the thing I don't want to do, which is what Romans 7... writes.”
— John (08:04)

3. The True Cost of Sin: Death Unpacked (10:18)

• Sin “leads to death”—not always instantly, but through a slow destruction of emotional, relational, spiritual, and eventually physical life.
• John recounts his lowest moment: near suicide at age 30, realizing the full consequence of a life bound by sin.
• The paradox: what seemed like “freedom” was actually the deepest slavery.

Notable Story

“I put a loaded 12 gauge shotgun to my head... I was manic, depressed, suicidal. And in that moment I was like, oh, sin leads to death. It just has a really long fuse sometimes.”
— John (10:18)

4. Why Do We Go Back? Breaking the Cycle (13:48)

• Many listeners connect with the cycle of experiencing freedom, backsliding, and overwhelming shame.
• The law and knowledge alone don't set us free—transformation is by the Spirit.

“It's not a knowledge problem. It's a transformation problem.”
— John (15:39)

5. The Power of Walking by the Spirit (17:34)

• Galatians 5:16—The command and promise: “Walk by the Spirit... and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
• Analogy: A dog stays out of trouble when he’s near the master; so we stay safe and free when near to God.

Bullet Analogy (17:46)

• Sin is a supernatural problem demanding a supernatural solution.
• The Holy Spirit empowers (“gunpowder in the bullet”)—no powder, no power.

“We don't have any power over sin or in our lives to bear the good or kill the bad, apart from the Holy Spirit. And so no power, no power. We're interesting at best.”
— John (20:18)

6. The “Third Army”: The Dangers of Hidden Sin (20:24)

• Civil War metaphor: Disease and infection (from untreated wounds) killed more than battle—like undressed, hidden sin.
• Confession and repentance are vital.

“If it's not exposed in great humility... it will grow an infection that will kill you much more than anything else.”
— John (21:50)

7. The Culture’s Lie: Sin Isn’t a Big Deal (22:47)

• Many are content to seek a “Savior from hell” but not from sin.
• The “fence-sitting” story: Choosing both God and sin isn’t neutrality, it’s fatal compromise.

“In a moment, everything goes dark and he is in hell. And he's like, what happened? I didn't go to your side. I was on the fence. And Satan said, the fence is mine.”
— John (24:11)

8. The Progression of Sin: From Desire to Death (26:48)

• Sin moves in a progression: Desire → Entertain → Appetite → Trapped → Hopeless = D.E.A.T.H.
• Scripture: “Desire gives birth to sin, and sin, when full grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1)

9. Only the Full Resist the Pull (33:13)

• We all have appetites—what matters is what (or Who) fills us.
• True satisfaction and rest are only found in Christ.

“Only the full, resist the pull. So if you're full, if you're filled up on God, you can say no...”
— John (33:13)

10. How Do I Know If It’s Sin? (34:43)

• If you’re asking, your motives may already be off.
• Test actions/thoughts by the Word of God, the counsel of wise believers, and listen to the Spirit’s conviction.

“Truth without love, you’re a nuisance. Love without truth, you’re negligent. And so that’s sin. It is even in my tone.”
— John (36:15)

11. Grace Is Not an Excuse to Sin (41:52)

• Cultural perversion: “Since God will forgive me, it's okay to sin.”
• Biblical truth: Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness (Titus 2).
• Confession, both to God (forgiveness) and to others (healing), is essential.

Memorable Explanation

“If you want to be forgiven, confess your sins to Jesus (1 John 1:9). If you want to be healed, confess to each other (James 5:16).”
— John (41:52)

12. The Difference: Falling into Sin vs. Practicing Sin (46:42)

• Identity Shift: In Christ, you’re a saint who sins—not a sinner who sometimes saints.
• Occasional stumbles differ from a lifestyle of unrepentant, habitual sin.
• Illustration: Marriage and the radical change it brings—the identity shift when we commit to Christ.

“We are not sinners who saint. We are saints who sin. And it really, really matters.”
— John (46:42)

“If you're in Jesus, you are a saint. Sinner is not your identity. It's not your occupation.”
— John (51:05)

13. Freedom Starts Today: 24-Hour Focus (55:32)

• John’s Freedom Starts Today model: Focus on just 24 hours of surrender and accountability at a time.
• Daily check-ins — text someone, don’t go it alone.
• “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness today. Don’t worry about tomorrow; tomorrow’s got enough worries of its own.” (Matt. 6:33-34 paraphrased at 61:27)

Practical Steps: A.C.T. (61:37)

• A - Ask: Ask God for help; acknowledge the Spirit as the sin killer.
• C - Commit: Commit to a friend for the next 24 hours to abstain from your struggle, by God’s strength.
• T - Talk/Text: Check in after 24 hours—bring struggles into the light and pray together.

“He not only saves you, he keeps you safe. And a lifetime of freedom [...] is made up of singular days where God gave me the strength to not drink.”
— John (61:18)

14. Breaking Generational Sin & Spiritual Strongholds (69:14)

• Recognize family patterns but don’t accept them as destiny.
• Freedom in Christ can break even generational cycles of addiction and spiritual oppression.
• Combine personal repentance with community prayer, fasting, and—if needed—deliverance ministry.

“Any... generational curses, legal grounds are broken by the blood in the name of Jesus.” — John (71:34)

“Fasting is really a powerful way to break off sin by the spirit of God.”
— John (73:14)

15. Prayer for Freedom (77:08)

John closes the episode with a prayer over listeners, inviting them to receive lasting freedom and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

“Set your people free... do what only you can do. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.”
— John (79:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “An idol will give you what you want because it’s YOU that it wants.” — John (04:54)
• “Sin leads to death... it just has a really long fuse sometimes.” — John (10:18)
• “No powder, no power.” (About the Holy Spirit’s role) — John (20:18)
• “The fence is mine.” (Satan, on spiritual compromise) — John (24:52)
• “Only the full, resist the pull.” — John (33:13)
• “We are not sinners who saint. We are saints who sin.” — John (46:42)
• “If you want to be forgiven, confess your sins to Jesus. If you want to be healed, confess to each other.” — John (41:52)
• “He not only saves you, He keeps you safe.” — John (61:18)
• “Set your people free... do what only you can do. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.” — John (79:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Truth or Dare — Addiction Testimony: 04:04 – 06:09
• Defining Addiction & Sin: 08:04 – 10:18
• Sin’s Consequence & The Long Fuse: 10:18 – 12:53
• Breaking the Cycle: Law vs. Spirit: 13:48 – 15:39
• Walking by the Spirit / Bullet Analogy: 17:34 – 20:18
• The Third Army (Hidden Sin): 20:24 – 21:50
• Culture’s Minimization of Sin: 22:47 – 24:52
• The Progression of Sin (D.E.A.T.H.): 26:48 – 27:41
• Knowing if It’s Sin / Conviction: 34:43 – 37:49
• Grace as an Excuse: 41:52 – 46:42
• Falling vs. Practicing Sin / Identity: 46:42 – 52:36
• Practical—24 Hours / A.C.T. steps: 55:32 – 66:08
• Breaking Generational Sin: 69:14 – 73:20
• Prayer for Listeners: 77:08 – 79:54

Final Encouragement

John and Madison reaffirm that freedom is available to all who surrender to Christ, no matter the grip of past or present strongholds. Transformation happens in community—a daily, Spirit-empowered, practical walk. The episode ends with a heartfelt prayer and a call to seek trustworthy friends for accountability, reminding listeners: You are not alone and you do not have to settle for bondage. Freedom starts today.

Resources Mentioned:

• John Elmore’s book: Freedom Starts Today
• Madison Prewett Troutt’s upcoming book: Dare to Be True

To connect, seek prayer, or learn more, check the episode notes for resources and links.

“Be sure to stay you and stay true.” — Madison Prewett Troutt