Overcoming sin in our lives is a really big deal; Scripture presumes we’re earnestly striving against sin (He 12:2) and that we aren’t done yet. (Ro 7:21-23) What does this struggle look like and how do we engage in this fight?
Firstly, we must become aware of the specific sins we’re committing, either doing what we shouldn’t (1Jn 3:1a) or not doing what we should. (Ja 4:17) To do so we must start paying attention to what we’re thinking and doing and how we’re feeling. We must take heed and observe how we’re living (Ps 119:9), focusing in on what’s motivating and driving us. We can’t intentionally correct our sinful behavior unless we’re aware of it.
Secondly, we must correctly classify each behavior as holy or sinful, which requires properly understanding the divine moral standard and accepting God’s definition of sin: sin is breaking Torah. (1Jn 3:4) Whenever we’re sinning, we’re violating God’s Law, and whenever we’re violating God’s Law, we’re sinning. This is how God defines and identifies sin. To even begin to fight against sin, we must first get this straight.
Then we must put these first two steps together: start paying attention to our behavior with a proper understanding of sin. Whenever our behavior is violating God’s Law, especially in a repeating pattern, we have a stronghold of sin to contend with, to strive against and overcome. (2Co 10:5)
Identifying sin is easier when we’re suffering from it, but we’re often blind to our worst sins, the ones we should really be focusing on. We can be asking God to search our hearts (He 4:12), exposing our sin and helping us identify it (Ps 139:23-24a), and guide us on what to work on next. (24b) This is when we can begin to fight, when the struggle begins in earnest.
Then we must do a bit of earnest root-cause analysis: why are we sinning? (Lk 6:46) There’s a reason we’re committing any particular sin; to stop we must find the underlying problem and correct it: we’re believing a lie related to this particular behavior. Sin is grounded in deceit (Ro 7:11); believing the truth sets us free from the dominion of sin. (Jn 8:32) We must pinpoint the lies we’re holding on to, which are deceiving us into desiring sin (Ja 2:13-15), and start believing the truth. (2Th 2:13)
There might be a whole web of lies keeping us in bondage to a particular lifestyle (Ro 7:23), but the Son can set us free by helping us believe the truth. (Jn 8:36)
As we prayerfully and regularly expose our minds and hearts to His Word (Ps 119:11), which is the Truth (Jn 17:17), pressing in on those particular verses which relate specifically to our struggle (Mt 4:3-4), He can help us believe His words and deliver us from sin. (Ja 1:21) He gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God. (Ga 1:4)
If we aren’t making good progress, try as we might, we should engage spiritual community, confessing where we’re struggling so others can pray for us to be healed (Ja 5:16) and point us to the truth. (Ja 5:19-20) At times we need help from our brothers and sisters, and this is God’s wonderful design.
And we shouldn’t be surprised if it takes time to correct deeply held beliefs. If we’ve been training ourselves to think a certain way most of our lives, it might take some prolonged effort to renew our minds in the truth. (Ro 12:2) Just as it takes time to heal and retrain our bodies when we’re in poor physical health (1Ti 4:7-8), we should be consistent and disciplined in our pursuit of godliness (2Pe 1:4-8), patient with ourselves and thankful for any progress we see.
This is striving to believe (Mk 9:24), a faith-struggle to rid ourselves of all the lies holding us captive and keeping us in bondage. This is war, a fight to the death; we should engage like soldiers in combat (2Ti 2:3-4), not expect to overcome as we watch passively from the sidelines.
Wherever the enemy has taken us prisoner, Jesus Christ is offering us the key to freedom and fullness; we shouldn’t be content to remain in our chains. Yeshua has fully committed Himself to this fight (Ti 2:14); He’s all in and will set us free as we cleanse ourselves through Him. (2Co 7:1)
John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin is a classic Christian treatise focused on the believer’s duty to actively combat and subdue sin. Drawing from Romans 8:13, Owen exhorts readers to “mortify” (put to death) the sinful nature through the power of the Holy Spirit. The book is deeply theological, yet practical, offering guidance for overcoming sin and pursuing holiness.
Key Themes:
The Necessity of Mortification: Owen argues that sin will either be killing the believer or the believer will be killing sin. Mortifying sin is not optional but essential for spiritual life and health.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: True mortification cannot be achieved through human strength alone but requires the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Owen stresses reliance on God’s grace rather than self-effort.
Practical Steps for Mortification: Owen outlines strategies for fighting sin:
–Identifying and understanding the nature of specific sins.
–Recognizing the deceitfulness and dangers of sin.
–Cultivating a mindset of constant vigilance and watchfulness.
–Engaging in prayer and meditating on Scripture.
–The Danger of Hypocrisy: External acts of mortification without inward renewal are inadequate. Owen warns against appearing holy outwardly while harboring unaddressed sin internally.
The Goal of Mortification: The ultimate aim is not mere sin suppression but growth in holiness and deeper communion with God.
Owen’s work is marked by its pastoral tone, scriptural depth, and focus on the believer’s sanctification. While challenging and convicting, it offers hope through the assurance of God’s provision and promises.
What practical steps does Owen encourage us to take in this process?
John Owen provides specific, actionable steps for mortifying sin in The Mortification of Sin. These steps focus on practical spiritual disciplines, a right understanding of sin, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Below are the core steps he encourages:
1. Recognize and Acknowledge the Sin
–Examine your heart and life to identify specific sins.
–Understand the seriousness of sin and its consequences, particularly how it offends God and disrupts your relationship with Him.
2. Seek the Power of the Holy Spirit
–Acknowledge that true mortification is impossible without the Spirit.
–Pray earnestly for the Spirit’s power to subdue sin.
–Trust in the Spirit to work within you to transform desires and empower obedience.
3. Meditate on the Guilt and Danger of Sin
–Reflect on how sin dishonors God and damages your soul.
–Consider the eternal consequences of unchecked sin, including its power to harden the heart and lead to spiritual death.
4. Avoid Occasions for Sin
–Remove yourself from situations, habits, or relationships that may tempt or enable sin.
–Cultivate habits that help you focus on holiness, such as consistent prayer and Scripture study.
5. Focus on the Death of Christ
–Meditate on Christ’s sacrifice, particularly His suffering for your sins.
–Use this as a motivation to hate sin and love righteousness.
6. Replace Sinful Habits with Godly Ones
–Actively pursue virtues and practices that counteract sinful tendencies.
–Replace sinful desires with a deeper love for God and His Word.
7. Be Constant and Diligent
–Mortification is a lifelong process, requiring daily effort and vigilance.
–Resist the urge to grow complacent or believe you have “conquered” sin.
8. Rely on Faith and God’s Promises
–Rest in the promises of Scripture for forgiveness, renewal, and victory over sin.
–Strengthen your faith by remembering God’s faithfulness and provision.
–Owen warns against trying to mortify sin through outward acts alone (legalism) or relying solely on human willpower. His approach combines spiritual disciplines with a deep dependence on God’s grace, fostering both humility and perseverance in the battle against sin.
Does he ever address the idea that the root cause of sin is believing a lie, and that modification of sin will come from believing the truth with respect to that lie?
Yes, John Owen does address the idea that sin is rooted in deception, and that mortification involves replacing false beliefs with truth. While he does not frame it as explicitly as modern thinkers might, Owen consistently highlights the role of sin’s deceitfulness and the importance of embracing gospel truths to combat it.
Key Points from Owen on Sin’s Deception and the Truth:
— Sin Operates Through Deceit: Owen emphasizes that sin is deceitful, presenting itself as less dangerous or more desirable than it truly is. He writes that sin “promises satisfaction but delivers misery,” masking its destructive nature. Believing these lies leads to sinful actions.
— Understanding the Root Causes of Sin: Owen insists on examining the root of sinful behavior. Behind every sin is a deeper issue—misplaced affections, pride, unbelief, or false reasoning. Sin gains power by feeding these lies to the heart and mind.
— Truth as a Weapon Against Sin: Mortification involves countering sin’s lies with gospel truth. Owen encourages believers to meditate on the truth of God’s holiness, justice, grace, and promises. By aligning thoughts and desires with God’s Word, believers can weaken sin’s influence.
— Faith and Truth Replace Sin’s Lies: Owen stresses the importance of faith in mortification. Faith anchors believers in the truth of Christ’s sufficiency, God’s promises, and the reality of their new identity in Christ. These truths expose and disarm the lies sin tells.
— Renewal of the Mind: Owen’s theology aligns with Romans 12:2, emphasizing the need for the renewal of the mind through Scripture. As believers saturate themselves in truth, their affections are reordered, and the lies of sin lose their grip.
— Christ as the Ultimate Truth: Owen points to Christ as the ultimate truth that exposes sin’s lies. Reflecting on Christ’s work—His death, resurrection, and intercession—reminds believers of sin’s futility and the better joy found in Him.
Practical Example:
If a person struggles with greed, the lie might be that wealth provides security and satisfaction. Owen would counsel them to reflect on the truth that only God provides lasting security (Matthew 6:19-21) and satisfaction (Psalm 16:11). Through prayer, Scripture, and reliance on the Spirit, they replace the lie with truth, weakening sin’s power.
In essence, while Owen doesn’t always phrase it as “believing the truth with respect to the lie,” the concept is central to his teaching. He sees sin as thriving on deception and mortification as involving the illumination of the mind and heart with gospel truth.