In the classic Puritan Paperback The Mortification of Sin, author John Owen helpfully educates his reader about what the mortification of sin (that is, its killing, subduing, etc.) is not.
Have you ever been caught in a sin in a rather public setting where you were rather deeply embarrassed, guilty and ashamed over that sin? You’d probably know the feeling: you’re caught in a sin that you would indulge privately with little remorse, but as soon as it’s seen by others, you’re sorrowful. I know I’ve been there too many times to count. Well, many times the fallout from such an exposure of sin is remorse and brokenness. I call this hot-blooded contrition. We’re so bent out of shape that we’d rashly vow to never sin again. But in truth, we’re in distress over having been caught, and such vows tend to be short-lived. Pretty soon we find ourselves engaged in the same sin wondering what happened to our once-repentant hearts.
According to Owen, that’s an example of what mortification is not.
If we would truly kill sin in our lives, it has to be a cold-blooded, calculated decision replete with all of the elements of any successful execution: planning, the right instruments of death and a complete kill. In the life of a Christian, that means making decisions based on the truths of Scripture rather than human emotion alone. It also means having other people in our lives who will help prevent us from nursing such sins to health after we’ve dealt them lethal blows.
Owen suggests that while complete mortification will not happen until we are out of this world, we can – and must – be constantly about the killing of sin if we would lead blessed, obedient, happy, guilt-free lives. He said famously at the start of chapter 2, “Always be killing sin or it will be killing you.”
The mortification of sin ought to be a part of the Christian’s routine soul-maintenance. Calculated, cold-blooded killing of sin is necessary for excellent stewardship of our souls.
How can you coldly, deliberately root out sin in your life?
I really really enjoyed this blog post. I have not personally read John Owen’s Mortification of Sin, but my husband has and quotes from it often. He as a pastor has really been influenced by a lot of John Owen’s works, they are so Biblically fraught. Your post has made me want to read it and not just listen to it now! I found your post over at Beholding Glory and was so excited to find your blog. I really think I like you a lot already 🙂 I’m following you on Twitter and Facebook now and I really look forward to reading more from you!
Thanks, Lindsey. There’s some really good stuff over at Beholding Glory. I love John Owen. He was a theological giant but still helpful. 🙂 Blessing to you and your family and your ministry.
Before I published my book “Joy in the Mourning”, I did some cold-blooded sin killing! I didn’t want anything to stand in the way of God using the book that He had pushed me to write, so I called up or wrote everyone that He brought to mind that I needed to ask forgiveness! It was tough, but so rewarding!
Yeah, and what is hard to believe – and apply – is that this asking for forgiveness only grows our influence and credibility rather than diminishing it. When we pretend we have no sin, we deceive only ourselves, because it’s not like we’re fooling anyone else. Thanks for sharing, and all the best with your book!
Great post, thank you!! God is constantly showing me how I like to take issues into my hands. It is sinful to think that I can handle or appropriately resolve an issue apart from taking it before the throne. I am rooting sin out by resolving to realize my position before a holy, sovereign, loving, gracious, purposeful God. He knows far better than I. If I believe that, my actions also need to show that.
Thanks, Jolie. Those are cold-blooded, sin-killing tactics. For some, it’s the regular preaching of the gospel to ourselves. For others, it involves considering our standing before a holy God, as you are doing. All have a sanctifying effect. Thanks for sharing.