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You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel
Beat the cycle of habitual sin as Kirby Kelly guides you through how God's strength can win back your freedom and bring you everyday peace. Find rescue and relief through a practical battle plan to defeat that sin that feels stuck on repeat and win back your life.
Tired of the same cycle over and over again? Of the endless spirals of self-destructive sin? In You Can Be Free, discover a real-life battle plan to break the spiritual bondage of habitual sin.
You're not alone. So many Christians are desperate to find a way to overcome recurring sin in their lives, a dominating factor when it comes to coping mechanisms in today's society. Kirby Kelly has been there, and she's created a battle plan to help others break free from unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and cycles to find God's actual peace in their lives.
Leading from the front, Kelly offers her own story first and shares biblical strategies
Connect and confessStay in boundsKnow your enemyKnow your GodKnow yourself Set your green and red light zonesTurn around and come homeMakeover your mind
Kirby Kelly offers practical, tactical advice to the How does one break, and stay, free? And how does one truly overcome what they thought they broke free from, only to see its disappointing return in their life? Through theology, hope, and God's guidance, there is a way to become vulnerable with your community, grow spiritually and personally, and welcome God's promise of freedom.
Tired of the same cycle over and over again? Of the endless spirals of self-destructive sin? In You Can Be Free, discover a real-life battle plan to break the spiritual bondage of habitual sin.
You're not alone. So many Christians are desperate to find a way to overcome recurring sin in their lives, a dominating factor when it comes to coping mechanisms in today's society. Kirby Kelly has been there, and she's created a battle plan to help others break free from unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and cycles to find God's actual peace in their lives.
Leading from the front, Kelly offers her own story first and shares biblical strategies
Connect and confessStay in boundsKnow your enemyKnow your GodKnow yourself Set your green and red light zonesTurn around and come homeMakeover your mind
Kirby Kelly offers practical, tactical advice to the How does one break, and stay, free? And how does one truly overcome what they thought they broke free from, only to see its disappointing return in their life? Through theology, hope, and God's guidance, there is a way to become vulnerable with your community, grow spiritually and personally, and welcome God's promise of freedom.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2024
44 people are currently reading
2931 people want to read
About the author
Kirby Kelly
5 books24 followersKirby Kelly is a speaker, influencer, and podcast host from Dallas, Texas, who has been creating Christian content for over a decade on a multitude of platforms. She graduated with a Master in theology in 2023 from Dallas Baptist University. Together with her husband, she equips ministries with creative media strategies and creates engaging content to reach the masses with the joy, truth, and message of the gospel on her platforms. Kirby's mission statement reflects her heartbeat in all she does: to equip, empower, and engage individuals in Spirit and in truth. This proves to be true with her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and podcasting platforms where she creates a variety of content.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 18, 2024
"This is the book I needed when I was younger."
What an absolute truth! 12-year-old me who felt so alone, and so lost, and so 'wrong' desperately needed another woman to tell me that I wasn't the only girl in the world who struggled with - what I think we've done a really terrible job of branding as - "boy sin". I would have loved a voice to tell me that the world wasn't ending if I made a mistake, that God still loved me even though I wasn't a 'perfect' Christian, that I didn't need to get to a certain point in my journey before I was worthy of love, that there wasn't something WRONG with me.
While I am now in (what I would call) Phase 2 of my freedom journey, this book still contains a whole lot of really wonderful, practical steps that I'm planning on implementing as I continue to move forward. I no longer feel that shame or need to be perfect, but I'm always up for some good battle steps to keep me on the right course. I find so many books and resources focus either solely on the spiritual aspects or solely on the practical aspects, but you have to have both.
It was also really nice to finally find a resource written by a woman, for women, who doesn't assume that we all struggle with sexual sins out of some massive trauma response to abuse. Some of us just stumbled into this out of curiosity and it became a really bad habit that we weren't able to break.
Also, I have to say, I was fortunate enough to listen to the audio book for this, and Kirby is such a lovely narrator. You can tell she's passionate about teaching truth, and she's a fantastic storyteller. I kinda wish we were besties...
5/5
What an absolute truth! 12-year-old me who felt so alone, and so lost, and so 'wrong' desperately needed another woman to tell me that I wasn't the only girl in the world who struggled with - what I think we've done a really terrible job of branding as - "boy sin". I would have loved a voice to tell me that the world wasn't ending if I made a mistake, that God still loved me even though I wasn't a 'perfect' Christian, that I didn't need to get to a certain point in my journey before I was worthy of love, that there wasn't something WRONG with me.
While I am now in (what I would call) Phase 2 of my freedom journey, this book still contains a whole lot of really wonderful, practical steps that I'm planning on implementing as I continue to move forward. I no longer feel that shame or need to be perfect, but I'm always up for some good battle steps to keep me on the right course. I find so many books and resources focus either solely on the spiritual aspects or solely on the practical aspects, but you have to have both.
It was also really nice to finally find a resource written by a woman, for women, who doesn't assume that we all struggle with sexual sins out of some massive trauma response to abuse. Some of us just stumbled into this out of curiosity and it became a really bad habit that we weren't able to break.
Also, I have to say, I was fortunate enough to listen to the audio book for this, and Kirby is such a lovely narrator. You can tell she's passionate about teaching truth, and she's a fantastic storyteller. I kinda wish we were besties...
5/5
August 26, 2025
This is one of those books where I need to buy an actual physical copy so I can write in it and come back to it.
October 24, 2025
Practical & encouraging !!
September 18, 2024
I appreciated this book. Back in the day, Kirby put out a lot of funny Christian content on YouTube kinda like the blimeycow Messy Mondays crew. She still creates content on YouTube, but I think she’s more involved in ministry and podcasting these days.
This book is about defeating habitual sin, but along the way, Kirby tells her story, which is indeed incredibly powerful and moving. As a fellow sojourner in grief and loss, and having grown up in an alcohol addiction battered family myself, much of Kirby’s journey resonated with my own story actually.
Kirby interweaves her journey through trauma, family separation, grief, addiction, depression, and the transforming power of the gospel with an encouraging battle plan of important biblical and common grace principles to help overcome the sticky challenge of destructive sinful habits. Overall, it’s an engaging, compelling, encouraging, hopeful, and entertaining read.
For the courage it took to write this book and for all the wonderfully inspiring content it gets 5 stars. Nay, I say 10 stars!
Where the book falls surprisingly and woefully short is that there is absolutely zero discussion on the importance of the local church in the fight against sin. To be fair, Kirby does amply discuss the importance of having a “Christian community”, but she never mentions how essential it is to spiritual growth to belong to a local body of Christ. This is weird because there is plenty of commands and teaching in the Bible about church membership, instructions for pastors, and “one and another” language. Yet Kirby does not address the need for Christians to submit and commit to a local church. Kirby talks about the joys of joining a Christian sorority, starting a bible study at her high school, and other wonderful forms of community, but there’s never any specific mention of her own church in pivotal moments of her Christian life having a powerful influence or accountability over her life. I can’t help but feel taken aback by this overlooking of such a vital and joyful aspect of life in Christ.
That being said, I love this book and author, and if I were to use it in a discipleship relationship, I would make it a point to bring up the local church as the primary way to be in a “Christian community.”
This book is about defeating habitual sin, but along the way, Kirby tells her story, which is indeed incredibly powerful and moving. As a fellow sojourner in grief and loss, and having grown up in an alcohol addiction battered family myself, much of Kirby’s journey resonated with my own story actually.
Kirby interweaves her journey through trauma, family separation, grief, addiction, depression, and the transforming power of the gospel with an encouraging battle plan of important biblical and common grace principles to help overcome the sticky challenge of destructive sinful habits. Overall, it’s an engaging, compelling, encouraging, hopeful, and entertaining read.
For the courage it took to write this book and for all the wonderfully inspiring content it gets 5 stars. Nay, I say 10 stars!
Where the book falls surprisingly and woefully short is that there is absolutely zero discussion on the importance of the local church in the fight against sin. To be fair, Kirby does amply discuss the importance of having a “Christian community”, but she never mentions how essential it is to spiritual growth to belong to a local body of Christ. This is weird because there is plenty of commands and teaching in the Bible about church membership, instructions for pastors, and “one and another” language. Yet Kirby does not address the need for Christians to submit and commit to a local church. Kirby talks about the joys of joining a Christian sorority, starting a bible study at her high school, and other wonderful forms of community, but there’s never any specific mention of her own church in pivotal moments of her Christian life having a powerful influence or accountability over her life. I can’t help but feel taken aback by this overlooking of such a vital and joyful aspect of life in Christ.
That being said, I love this book and author, and if I were to use it in a discipleship relationship, I would make it a point to bring up the local church as the primary way to be in a “Christian community.”
June 15, 2024
.
Do you need a battle plan to help you overcome habitual sin so you can be free and stay free? Then “You Can Be Free” is a wise, practical, and a super helpful 11-step plan.
I love the conversational tone of this book and how candid the author is as she shares personal stories to help drive home the biblical principles and guidance throughout. It’s a healing, motivating, inspiring, and affirming self-help book.
This guide is easy to read, understand, and digest, and shares promises of Scripture that frees us of the weight, guilt, and struggles of our sins and temptations. Think of it as a mind-makeover. The little highlighted tidbits throughout the book make an impact, are meme-worthy, stick in my brain, and affect my heart.
First Line: “Soooooo … what’s everyone’s biggest sin struggle”.
Genre: Christian Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Author: Kirby Kelly
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
#youcanbefree @kirbyisaboss @wpublishing
Do you need a battle plan to help you overcome habitual sin so you can be free and stay free? Then “You Can Be Free” is a wise, practical, and a super helpful 11-step plan.
I love the conversational tone of this book and how candid the author is as she shares personal stories to help drive home the biblical principles and guidance throughout. It’s a healing, motivating, inspiring, and affirming self-help book.
This guide is easy to read, understand, and digest, and shares promises of Scripture that frees us of the weight, guilt, and struggles of our sins and temptations. Think of it as a mind-makeover. The little highlighted tidbits throughout the book make an impact, are meme-worthy, stick in my brain, and affect my heart.
First Line: “Soooooo … what’s everyone’s biggest sin struggle”.
Genre: Christian Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Author: Kirby Kelly
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
#youcanbefree @kirbyisaboss @wpublishing
June 15, 2024
ALMOST ALL OF US HAVE HAD TO FACE TEMPTATION AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and the following is my honest review of the book.
In my first 69 years of life, I had lived as your typical nonreligious secular woman, suffering from temptation in my desire to have things that I had been lured to by the world around me. As I began trying to be a good Christian woman, slowly but surely, I strengthened my faith and purpose by listening and adhering to the words of the Lord.
As Christians, we need to be aware that temptation is all around us, just as the Lord got tempted in the desert. And because of this, we need to find guidance in guarding ourselves against failing in keeping to the righteous path the Lord wants us to follow,
Having grown in my commitment to the Lord as the faith-driven Christian woman that I've now become, I want to share with you the promise He has made to those who believe in Him, that we find in 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 [NLT]:
"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
This is the underlining reason that we as Christians are beseeching the Lord with what is written in MATTHEW 6:13 [NKJV]:
"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
The request for the Lord not to lead us into temptation is repeated in LUKE 11:4 [NKJV]:
"And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."
As Christians, we need to be satisfied with the lot that we possess in our lives and not too long for any wealth; the reason for this can be found in what we're told in 1 TIMOTHY 6:9 [NLT]:
"But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction."
In reading this book, I find what the author has written in the pages resonating with what I have in the above. Being the 73-year-old faith-driven Christian woman I have become I am happy to give this book and its author 5 STARS.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and the following is my honest review of the book.
In my first 69 years of life, I had lived as your typical nonreligious secular woman, suffering from temptation in my desire to have things that I had been lured to by the world around me. As I began trying to be a good Christian woman, slowly but surely, I strengthened my faith and purpose by listening and adhering to the words of the Lord.
As Christians, we need to be aware that temptation is all around us, just as the Lord got tempted in the desert. And because of this, we need to find guidance in guarding ourselves against failing in keeping to the righteous path the Lord wants us to follow,
Having grown in my commitment to the Lord as the faith-driven Christian woman that I've now become, I want to share with you the promise He has made to those who believe in Him, that we find in 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 [NLT]:
"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
This is the underlining reason that we as Christians are beseeching the Lord with what is written in MATTHEW 6:13 [NKJV]:
"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
The request for the Lord not to lead us into temptation is repeated in LUKE 11:4 [NKJV]:
"And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."
As Christians, we need to be satisfied with the lot that we possess in our lives and not too long for any wealth; the reason for this can be found in what we're told in 1 TIMOTHY 6:9 [NLT]:
"But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction."
In reading this book, I find what the author has written in the pages resonating with what I have in the above. Being the 73-year-old faith-driven Christian woman I have become I am happy to give this book and its author 5 STARS.
June 18, 2024
I really enjoy Christian Self Help books. I feel there are lessons to be learned and encouragement in Self Help Books. You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel by Kirby Kelly is the latest in this genre that I have read.
WOW, this young author really has a wealth of information in this book. The verse that came to mind while reading this book was Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Christians can be habitual sinners, but it is important to release ourselves of this habitual Sin. Kirby Kelly had some struggles in her faith and she wrote this book not only as a personal testimony but to encourage others to overcome their habitual sins. I really LOVE how open Kirby Kelly is in this book and how she outlines to steps to take to overcome Habitual Sin. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with Sin. FANTASTIC BOOK!
WOW, this young author really has a wealth of information in this book. The verse that came to mind while reading this book was Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Christians can be habitual sinners, but it is important to release ourselves of this habitual Sin. Kirby Kelly had some struggles in her faith and she wrote this book not only as a personal testimony but to encourage others to overcome their habitual sins. I really LOVE how open Kirby Kelly is in this book and how she outlines to steps to take to overcome Habitual Sin. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with Sin. FANTASTIC BOOK!
December 1, 2024
I started watching Kirby’s videos when I was in high school, and have been waiting a decade for her to write a book. You Can Be Free is everything I would expect from Kirby and I will be recommending it to everyone I know.
Kirby is very honest with her struggles and victories. Her voice is conversational and relatable, while still providing scientific and theological proof to everything she says. This is the most encouraging and hope-filled book on sin and temptation I have read. You Can Be Free is truly a book founded in the good news of the Gospel.
Kirby provides next steps and “battle plans” to help you not only lose your sin habits but to gain healthy disciplines. This would be an amazing book for small groups if you want to dive deep into practices of confession and building very intentional community with other believers.
Kirby is very honest with her struggles and victories. Her voice is conversational and relatable, while still providing scientific and theological proof to everything she says. This is the most encouraging and hope-filled book on sin and temptation I have read. You Can Be Free is truly a book founded in the good news of the Gospel.
Kirby provides next steps and “battle plans” to help you not only lose your sin habits but to gain healthy disciplines. This would be an amazing book for small groups if you want to dive deep into practices of confession and building very intentional community with other believers.
November 7, 2024
I’d say solid 3.5! This book was full of encouragement and reminders of the truth of Jesus specifically regarding habitual sin. The process of sanctification or growing more like Jesus is a lifelong journey. I thought this book presented many practical ideas to help break patterns of sin while also acknowledging our brokenness and inability to live perfectly. I think this book was maybe the written to be a little too “relatable” in the narrator voice if that makes sense? Overall good and was encouraging.
January 19, 2026
What a wonderful book! Kirby is such a wise cheerleader of an author! After finishing this book I feel more empowered, less shame, more of God's love. I am excited about the future and my growing sanctification. The fact that I don't have to be perfect, (because I can't), doesn't hinder the fact that I am capable of being consistent. And the more that happens, the deeper my faith will be and the easier it will be to deny my flesh and let my Spirit soar!
I'm thankful Kirby wrote this book and that I read it!
I'm thankful Kirby wrote this book and that I read it!
February 18, 2025
I would 1000% recommend this book to every believer. Kirby Kelly shares her personal experiences with sin and outlines practical and Godly ways to battle our sins/temptations. I found this book relatable and encouraging and have recommended it to many friends. This is a must read!
July 8, 2024
SO GOOD!! Kirby sets a battle plan for how to overcome habitual sin perfectly. I needed this book right now!
July 19, 2024
I would honestly say a 3.5 just cause it’s a mix of like testimony and encouragement… didn’t full get which way she was trying to go but overall good book. Good reminder of who we are in Christ.
October 24, 2024
I wanted more though I would get more. I know I can be few but I don’t feel like this book helped me on the how to become free.
November 13, 2024
If you need encouragement I would definitely recommend this book
May 2, 2025
I believe i am almost done listening to this book and i would want to see and read the actual book. She has the same struggles that i do and i am glad that i truly am not alone in my struggles and with these feelings but i am glad that i do journal that God does understand me that i do not have to carry the shame and the guilt alone that i can give it to God and he will give me strength run to the truth which is God Jesus the Word of God. We are created for His purposes for His will to be done in our lives
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews