I don't know if you've ever read this thing called the Bible, but turning from sin is literally defined BY GOD as works:
Since you skipped all your Sunday school classes as a child, let's go allll the way back to the basics:
1. The Law of Moses was provided to outline what sin is, so that by it we have the knowledge of sin (more specifically laid out than conscience):
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." -Rom. 3:20
2. WHOEVER commits sin breaks the law, therefore PRIOR to the new birth (which removes you from under the curse of the law),
DOING sin is breaking the law and NOT DOING sin is obeying the law, now that the law was provided mankind:
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." -1 Jn. 3:4
3. The law concluded ALL under sin, meaning ALL of your efforts in trying to turn from, abstain from, live apart from SIN can't get you eternal life:
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight [THIS MEANS TURNING FROM SIN IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW PRIOR TO RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE WILL NOT GET YOU SAVED]: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely [IT'S NOT FREE IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE "TURN FROM YOUR SINS" TO GET IT: THAT'S REJECTING THE FREE GIFT AND TRYING TO DO A LITTLE PET BACKFLIP TO IMPRESS GOD LIKE TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AND PROMISE TO STOP SINNING FROM NOW ON TO DESERVE IT] by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" -Rom. 3:19-24
4. Trying to turn from sin BEFORE Salvation or AT THE MOMENT of trying to be saved is essentially still working to do so in our flesh under the law:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [YOU NEED THE NEW BIRTH BEFORE YOU CAN HAVE THE POWER TO TURN FROM YOUR SINS]" -Rom. 8:3
