John Flavel

“There are two prominent ways that God breaks the power of sin in believers. One is by the operation of internal grace. ‘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’ (Gal.5:17). In other words, sanctification gives sin a miscarrying womb (cf. Jms.1:15) after it has conceived in the soul.

The other way that God breaks the power of sin is the external work of providence. ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose’ (Rom.8:28). The Providence of God is the great barrier and hindrance to a world of sin, which otherwise would break forth like an overflowing flood from our corrupt natures.”
John Flavel