Mortification of sin, also known as mortification of the flesh, is the process of putting sin to death in one’s life. It stems from passages in the Bible that instruct believers to “mortify” or “put to death” the sinful desires and deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). The concept involves recognizing areas of sin, confession and repentance, active obedience to Christ, and dependence on the Holy Spirit to transform us and empower us to walk in righteousness.
Mortification of sin is aimed at the root, not just the fruit, of sin. It tackles sinful desires, motives, and idols of the heart that fuel outward acts of sin. A surface-level or behavioral approach to ethics fails to address the deeper heart issues that the Bible emphasizes. The injunctions to mortify sin underscore that sanctification is an inward work of grace that gets at the core of why we sin.
Mortification is a lifelong process. Believers must continually put sin to death as the Holy Spirit reveals areas of ungodliness and idolatry. It is also empowered by the Spirit, through whom we can overcome the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13). A legalistic self-effort misses the point, which is dependence on divine grace to transform our hearts and lives.
Key Bible passages on mortification of sin
Several prominent Bible passages lay out the concept of mortification of sin and the flesh:
- “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)
- “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
- “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)
- “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
These and other passages point to mortification of sin as an essential component of Christian discipleship and the process of sanctification. Romans 8:13 lays out the stark choice between living by the flesh or the Spirit. Galatians 2:20 expresses Paul’s desire to have the sinful nature put to death so that new life in Christ reigns.
Why believers must mortify sin
Mortification of sin is necessary for several reasons that Scripture lays out:
- Sin leads to death. Unmortified sin or living according to the flesh results in spiritual decay and alienation from God (Romans 6:23; Romans 8:13).
- Sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Continual unconfessed sin in a believer’s life brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and hurts our intimacy with God.
- Sin hampers our witness. Sinful living undermines a believer’s gospel witness and ability to make disciples (Matthew 5:16).
- Sin hurts others. Sin has outward ripple effects that damage relationships, family, the church, and broader society.
- Sin nullifies God’s work in us. Persistent sinful patterns risk undoing the transformative work God wants to accomplish in sanctifying His people.
Sin is directly contrary to God’s holy nature and purposes. Scripture uses forceful language to dramatize the mortal threat of unmortified sin. Believers must then vigorously pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
How to mortify sin
The Bible and Christian authors have prescribed various practical steps for how to mortify sin:
- Identify specific areas of sin. Ask God to search your heart and reveal patterns of sin that may be hidden from your awareness (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Confess and repent. Own up to the sin before God and turn decisively away from it (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). Repentance involves hating the particular sin.
- Pursue virtues that undermine sin. For example, replace greed with generosity or hatred with loving action. This principle uses virtue to squeeze out vice.
- Avoid tempting situations. Know your weaknesses andremove yourself from circumstances that awakens sinful desire (Romans 13:14; Genesis 39:11-12).
- Flee lusts. Refuse to entertain sinful thoughts and quickly turn from immoral fantasies (2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:27-30).
- Make no provision for sin. Eliminate any footholds for sinful patterns to take root in your life (Romans 13:14).
- Fill your mind with Scripture. Meditate on God’s Word to shape your thinking andvalues (Psalm 119:11; Romans 12:1-2).
- Cultivate the fear of God. A right view of God’s majesty and judgment helps deter sin (Proverbs 16:6).
- Depend on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the Spirit’s power to overcome temptation and produce godly virtues (Galatians 5:16-25).
These practical tactics should be woven together into our daily walk with wisdom and diligence. They combine intentional effort with reliance on God’s grace to see hearts changed and sin patterns defeated.
Key figures in mortification
Throughout church history, certain figures have contributed importantly to the practice and theology of mortification:
- John Owen – 17th century English Puritan who wrote the classic work “Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers.”
- Richard Baxter – 17th century English Puritan pastor and author of “A Christian Directory” which has a section on mortifying sin.
- John Piper – Contemporary Reformed Baptist preacher who promotes Christian hedonism and fighting sinful pleasures with greater delight in God.
- Jerry Bridges – 20th century evangelical author who wrote “The Discipline of Grace” with a section on habits of grace to put sin to death.
- John MacArthur – Well-known contemporary grace preacher who wrote “The Mortification of Sin” as part of his New Testament commentary series.
- Rosaria Butterfield – A former postmodern lesbian professor who converted to Christ and left behind her LGBTQ lifestyle.
- Augustine – 4th century church father who confessed his sin and wrote extensively on sanctification and God’s grace to overcome sin.
While coming from different times and perspectives, these and other Christian authors emphasize mortification’s key role in the believer’s pursuit of holiness. They offer wisdom for identifying sin, trusting God’s grace, and putting it to death in the power of the Spirit.
Criticisms and warnings regarding mortification
Certain criticisms and warnings should be kept in mind regarding mortification:
- It can become legalistic and self-centered rather than Spirit-led.
- Mortification addresses symptoms rather than sin’s root causes.
- Too much navel-gazing on sin can lead to morbid introspection.
- Mortification alone is incomplete without vivification – coming alive to righteousness.
- A superficial approach can mask deeper heart idols.
- It risks underestimating the gravity and deceitfulness of sin.
- Self-effort and behavioral change have limits without inner heart renewal.
In other words, mortification wrongly applied risks being: repressive rather than regenerative; willpower-driven rather than Spirit-empowered; and focused on outer conduct rather than inner transformation. Wise practitioners stress that mortification must be grounded in God’s grace and flow out of delight in Christ.
Mortification vs. vivification
Mortification is sometimes contrasted with vivification. Mortification means putting sin to death, while vivification means coming alive to righteousness. The two concepts complement one another as part of sanctification:
- Mortification – Putting off the old self; killing sin; abstaining from the passions of the flesh.
- Vivification – Putting on the new self; cultivating Christlike virtues; pursuing godliness.
Vivification is the positive, constructive side of holiness. Mortification without vivification leads to empty, rigid, negative religion. But vivification also depends on mortification to clear ground for thriving in godliness. Together, they represent twin aspects of sanctification’s goal – conformity to the image of Christ.
Mortification in the church today
Contemporary advocates of mortification note several areas where the church needs to recover this historic emphasis:
- Many Christians tolerate besetting sins and accept defeat in battling temptation.
- Shallow preaching fails to confront hearts and provide practical holiness strategies.
- Justification by faith alone has too often been separated from its purpose of sanctification.
- There is ignorance of sin’s grievousness, deceitfulness, and long war against it.
- The Spirit’s empowerment is marginalized through naturalistic, feel-good, self-help approaches.
- Cheap grace doctrines use salvation as a pretext for lowered ethical demands.
- Antinomian hyper-grace trends downplay mortification and obedience.
In response, voices within various branches of the church are calling for renewed emphasis on biblical mortification to undercut defeatism and antinomianism. Along with vivification and dependent on the Spirit, mortification provides a critical safeguard to uphold Christlikeness within the Body of Christ.
As believers, indwelling sin remains a reality this side of glory. But Scripture calls us to partner with the Spirit in striving to mortify fleshly desires that wage war against our souls. Through repentance, Spirit-filled discipline, and means of grace, sin’s dominion can be weakened as we increasingly reflect Christ. While mortification is challenging, its promise is conformity to the One we love above all.