Mortification of Sin

"The mortification of sin in believers" by John Owen is a Christian classic written in 1656 by a Puritan and Oxford don. Owen was greatly respected for both his deep and exhaustive exposition and his practical application based on a transparently godly life. I, too prefer the original version, but such is the power of the thought of that original that even with omissions the text, the message comes through. Unfortunately, his language in the original is antiquated amd ponderous, making it difficult for the modern reader to understand (though those used to the Authorised Version should cope), but the content makes the effort worthwhile. Much of his strongly worded statements are directed against "Papists," the legalists and ceremonialists of his day. This may be off-putting to some, but all of what he says is just as relevant today if the reader does not restrict what is said to Roman Catholicism, for legalists and ceremonialists, obvious and hidden, are in every denomination and church. His purpose in writing the book (based on a series of sermons) is to give advice on how best a Christian believer can defeat sin in their lives. He begins by explaining the second half of Romans 8:13 - "but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live," making five points that: (a) the duty, means and promise are conditional; (b) they are for believers; (c) only by means of the Holy Spirit can sin be defeated; (d) what duty of "mortifying the deeds of the body" means; and (e) the power and worth of the promise "you shall live". One by one he deals with these points in depth, showing that even the best of believers will have to battle against sin all their lives and that only the Holy Spirit can successfully do this work. It is work worth the labour for a believer's life, energy and comfort is dependent on putting sin to death to live a life of godliness (Col 3:1-10). In defining what he meant by mortification of sin, he follows Paul's lead and shows what it is NOT, then what it IS, emphasising that only a believer can truly mortify sin and that mortification is not defeating a particular sin, but it is laying the axe to sinful attitudes and inclinations at their root in the fallen nature. He then gives nine directives of HOW to mortify sin: 1. Check that a besetting sin is not fatal 2. Constantly remind yourself of the guilt, danger and evil of sin 3. Load your conscience with the guilt and evil of sin, the offence against God's love 4. Develop a vehement desire for deliverance 5. Some sin is rooted in character - this is no excuse but a challenge to greater battle 6. Avoid sources of temptation 7. Oppose sin at its very beginnings and do not wait until it emerges full-blown 8. Learn your true status and value by considering the greatness of God. 9. Speak no peace to yourself until God does Finally he gives advice on the preparation of the heart for victory over sin by fixing on Jesus and the work of the Spirit. If we are really se

*SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE* Read this book! *END SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE* I usually give a book a month or more to ruminate so I can weigh the value of its contents against all that I have learned from scripture, but in this one case I'm breaking that rule. I swear John Owen just drove the sword of the Spirit into the very midst of my still-beating heart like a surgeon's scalpel. This book is life-changing. It is biblical, powerful, relevant and Spirit-filled. Owen has made all the questions which lingered in my mind with regard to sanctification and the means by which we are to pursue holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit suddenly coalesce into a coherent, scriptural, practical, spiritual whole. In 130 pages (Puritan Paperback edition) he did this! And how foolish I feel for not having seen it all before when it is so clear and simple and plainly biblical! But don't take my word for it. Here's the opening statement of the section on the actual work of mortification: "Suppose a man is a true believer, and yet finds in himself a powerful indwelling sin. This sin makes him captive to its power, and consumes his heart with trouble. It perplexes his thoughts, weakens his soul in communion with God, takes away his peace, defiles his conscience, and exposes him to hardening through the decietfulness of sin. What shall he do? What course shall he take to mortify this sin, lust or corruption? How can he gain victory enough, even though it is not utterly destroyed, yet, in his contest with it, he may be enabled to maintain his power, strength and peace in communion with God?" This paragraph launches the reader into the answer to these very questions. How can we "by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body, [so that we] will live" (Rom. 8:13)? Of particular worth to me was Owen's pointing out that superficial application of the promises of God is NOT mortification. He points out (rightly so) that the peace and mercy of God are only lasting and effective when imparted by God Himself, not by any means we possess in ourselves. I have been foolishly speaking "peace, peace" to my heart when there was no true peace because I would not wait upon the Spirit to apply the true peace that comes from God. I have been applying the ointment of the promise while it is yet devoid of the healing medicine of the Holy Spirit. "This is to bless ourselves, without the blessing of God." I honestly don't think I can praise this volume highly enough. In its abridged, modernized version it is a simple enough read for any Christian. In its depth and soundness of doctrine it is worthy even of the consideration of the most astute biblical scholar. In the blessedness and value of its subject it stands head-and-shoulders above most modern Christian literature. How great would the visible church be today if all of those who belong to the church invisible would read and follow "The Mortification of Sin"! And for a mere $8, who among those who profess the name of

Also available in The Works of John Owen Vol. 6, this is a masterpiece on how to kill corruption in one's personal life. It is less than 100 pages long (in my copy!), but it is packed with some of the most insightful thinking regarding sanctification, that I have ever read. Owen packs much into this brief book leaving hundreds of rocks just turned over for the reader to search out treasures for himself. There are nine preliminary steps to mortifying sin which were of great practical help to me. They are: 1. Consider the dangerous symptoms of your lust; 2. Get a clear sense of the guilt and danger of the sin; 3. Load your conscience with the guilt of the "perplexing distemper"; 4. Have a vehement desire for deliverance; 5. Determine whether the sin is rooted in your natural temperment; 6. Prevent the opportunites for sin; 7. Vigorously oppose the first actings of sin; 8. Think deeply about the majesty of God; 9. Speak no peace to your own disquieted heart - let God speak it. These principles form the bulk of the book, but they are fenced in by strong opposition to all legalistic methods of dealing with sin and with hearty exhortations to focus on Christ and be empowered by the Spirit in the whole task of mortifying sin. An excellent treatment of the subject and worthy of repeated readings. In fact, it is in the top ten on my "Master Reading List" (which is a short list of the best books I have read and which deserve to be mastered - if you are interested email me at brianghedges(at)gmail(dot)com)

This provides most thorough and explicit instructions for the Christian life. It is outstanding in its class, a very encouraging work.