Ways to Kill Sin

My first exposure to the biblical concept of mortification of sin came in the English Puritan class at Southern Seminary.  It was there that I first read John Owen’s Mortification of Sin.  Based off Romans 8:13, Owen extends a detailed, pastoral argument on how Christians can put to death – mortify sin – in their life through the power of the Spirit.

John Owen

A Puritan contemporary, and no less of a theologian, John Flavel, also lays out some guidelines for mortification in his work, Preparations for Suffering.  Here’s an abbreviated version of his list:

John Flavel

1. Labour to cut off the advantages of temptations before they come.  It is our inordinate love to life, estate, liberty, and ease, that gives the temptation so much strength upon us.

2. Secure yourselves an interest in the heavenly glory.  When once you clearly see your propriety in the kingdom above, you will set the lighter and lower by all things on earth.

3. Settle this principle in your heart as that which will never depart from, that it is better for you to fall into any suffering, than into the least sin.

4. Believe that God hath cursed and blasted all the ways of sin, that they shall never be a shelter to any soul that flies for refuge to them.

5. Live up to this principle that there is no policy like sincerity and godly simplicity.

6. Consider sadly what the consequences of yielding up yourselves to temptations will be: The name of God will be dreadfully reproached.

7. Never engage a temptation in your own strength, but go forth against it trembling in yourselves, and relying on Divine aids and assistance.

8. Let the days of your temptation be days of strong cries and supplications.  Your best posture to wrestle with temptation, is upon your knees.

9. Dwell upon the consideration of those choice encouragements God hath laid up int e world for such a time: God preserves you, Christ is interceding for you, and an eternal reward awaits.

10. Be content till God open a door out of your temptations.