Pursuing HolinessSample

Mortifying Sin

A lack of understanding God’s holiness is often intermingled with a lack of understanding the depravity of man and the seriousness of sin. Thankfully, the same grace that sanctifies us also equips, motivates and enables us to kill our sin. Sin is like a cancer; we cannot ignore just a small corruption. It must be cut out, or it will grow and metastasize, rotting and ruining all that it comes in contact with.

Mortification is not just about our actions but our hearts. Sometimes the external can look good, but the inside is defiled and decayed. We must attack sin at its root. This is about motives, desires and affections. We will never be sinlessly perfect on this earth. We fight a lifelong battle pursuing genuine holiness as we greatly reduce the influence of sin in our lives. 

We need to be aware of the process of sin. First is the desire that deceives our mind into thinking the sin will bring us much pleasure and minimal consequence. Then these sinful desires entice our affections and fight against our conscience as our attraction grows. Finally, our wills are conquered and we sin, rebelling against God and His holiness. 

Though sin is crafty, God is our refuge and strong tower, and our Savior is sufficient. 

We must diagnose our sin accurately, cultivate a right view of both God and self and wait on assurance from the Lord. We may have only dealt with the fruit of sinful actions and not dealt with the root of sinful desires. We can think that we have mortified our sin, but we do not hate it. We have not found our rest and contentment in Christ alone, and we are not humble before God. 

This is where the means of grace comes in and helps us to mortify our sin. 

When we are soaked in the Word and saturated with the Gospel, we see the transforming power of being made new and placed into union with Christ. We have been raised with Christ; our lives are hidden with him, and we will be raised with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4). We have peace, security and assurance of a glorious destiny! 

As the Word and Spirit remind us of who we are in Christ, we now seek the things that are above — we replace our sinful affections for satisfaction in Christ. We do not try to stop pursuing our affections. Our affections are now set on Christ.

We abolish sin by practicing the virtues, putting off the old man of the flesh and putting on the new man of the Spirit within the community of the church. Mortification can be a painful process as we are crucified with Christ, but we can slay our sin as our Savior was slain, and we can be raised to new life in him. Believe that the Gospel is true and find joy in loving the God who loves you. 

The way to kill sin is through the transforming power of the Gospel as we continuously consume Christ in our minds and hearts through the Word of God in cooperation with the work of the Spirit.

Reflection Questions

Do you usually think of sin as being actions? Why might we need to adjust that type of thinking? 

To which sins do you feel particularly vulnerable? How can you kill these sins? 

Of which sins are you least afraid? Why might it still be wise to protect yourself?