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Effective Mortification

Mortification is a word that has for some reason been forgotten in the Body of Christ. However, it is a key Biblical truth to overcoming the bondages of sin. Colossians 3:5 says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…” (King James Bible) The New International Bible has this translation, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…”

Ignorance of Biblical mortification is the reason why church attendees are found in sins for which Christ died so Christians could be set free.

To “mortify” (νεκρόω nekróō) is the process of deadening the power of the flesh, literally draining the life out of those desires that break the heart of God through the enabling of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Dr, Jim Berg wrote, “Biblical mortification robs sin of its debilitating, inharmonious, emotionally distracting influences. Without Biblical mortification, sin darkens the mind, while lust of the flesh grows like weeds. Mortification is the soul’s vigorous opposition to the fruitless self-life.”

The first step to Biblical mortification begins with Holy Spirit illumination of Hebrews 12:14, “…without holiness no one will see the Lord.” You must pray and ask the Lord to birth this truth within your spiritual heart, Intellectual knowledge of Scriptures on holiness will not, in itself, enable you to walk in the holiness of God.

The second step to effective mortification is systematic prayerful study of God’s Word. The Word of God is Holy Spirit inspired and is the sword He uses to teach you about the Lord Jesus Christ and to help you know God’s will. Selective memorizing of promise Scriptures is good, but could cause you to have unrealistic expectations. The more you understand the whole of Scripture about God’s holiness, money, spiritual gifts, marriage, etc. the more equipped you will be to follow the example of Christ when He overcame the devil’s temptations. (Matthew 4:1-11) You must be striving to learn what you should and should not do according to the Bible.

Effective mortification involves understanding Satan’s schemes. He does not break down the Christian’s defenses by first coming with thoughts of murder and adultery, bitterness and jealousy. He starts eating away at your relationship with Christ through compromise. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)

While reading, “The Pursuit of Holiness” written by Jerry Bridges and after prayerfully studying 1 Corinthians 6:12 I came up with these questions that help me stay ahead of compromise: 1.) Is what I am about to do helpful spiritually, physically and mentally? 2.) Is what I am thinking and doing helping me get done what I am called to do? 3.) Is what I am doing going to hurt others and 4.) Is what I am doing going to glorify God in and through my life?

Mortifying sin is our responsibility. The Lord is not looking for intellectuals but for Christians who prayerfully study and meditate upon the Word of God so they may determine what is beneficial, not letting anything in this world master them. Mortification is this: Stop thinking about, reading, watching and participating in anything which is displeasing to the Lord! Your holiness depends on this.