Living in Light of Eternity
30 min read
The Puritans spoke of the mortification of sin: the duty of putting sin to death. The phrase comes from Paul's command in Romans 8:13: "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Mortification is not self-hatred. It is the Spirit-empowered work of cutting off the sources of temptation and destroying the habits of sin.
This duty is urgent because sin leads to death. Unmortified sin hardens the heart, dulls the conscience, and destroys assurance. The person who says he knows Christ but does not fight sin is deceived.
Mortification is done by the Spirit. We do not kill sin in our own strength. The Spirit gives us both the desire and the power to obey. He convicts us, enables us, and sustains us. Our part is to cooperate: to flee temptation, to resist the devil, to put on the armor of God, and to discipline the body.
Practical mortification involves several things. First, identify the sin. Name it honestly. Second, understand its roots. What triggers it? What need does it promise to meet? Third, remove the triggers. Avoid places, people, and media that feed the sin. Fourth, replace the sin with obedience. Put off the old self and put on the new. Fifth, confess and seek accountability. Sin grows in darkness; confession brings light.
Paul says that those who put to death the deeds of the body will live. This is not earning salvation. It is the evidence and experience of salvation. The mortified Christian walks in freedom, joy, and confidence. He is prepared for death and for the return of Christ.
Common student mistake: Trying to manage sin through willpower alone, without relying on the Spirit and the community of the church.
Practice assignment: Read Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5-17. Choose one sin to mortify this month. Write a specific plan using the five steps in this lesson.
Worksheet idea: "Mortification Plan" — identify one sin, its triggers, replacement behaviors, confessions, and accountability.
Completion requirement: Student can explain the duty of mortification and can outline a practical plan for killing one specific sin.
ANSWER: The Spirit-empowered work of putting sin to death in the believer's life.
ANSWER: It relies on the Spirit's power, targets sin as rebellion against God, and produces spiritual life rather than mere external change.
ANSWER: Any two of: identify the sin, understand its roots, remove triggers, replace it with obedience, confess and seek accountability.