Mortify the Deeds of the Body

Scripture: Romans 8:13 (KJV)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Personal Reflection

The Spirit-filled life is not passive. Scripture describes an active war against remaining sin. Although the believer has been regenerated and sin no longer reigns as master, the flesh remains and continues to resist holiness.

Paul therefore commands believers to “mortify” the deeds of the body—to put sin to death. Yet notice carefully how this battle is fought: “through the Spirit.”

We cannot defeat sin through sheer willpower. Neither can we excuse sin by claiming we are waiting for God to remove it. Biblical sanctification brings divine power and human responsibility together. The Spirit supplies strength, and the believer actively resists sin.

The manuscript emphasizes that those led by the Spirit are led to kill sin, pursue practical holiness, resist the world’s mold, and delight in obedience. Being Spirit-filled is not merely saying, “I had an experience.” It is being changed.

John Owen famously summarized this struggle: “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Sin never becomes harmless. What we tolerate today will seek greater control tomorrow.

Mortification requires honesty. We must identify particular sins rather than speaking vaguely about weakness. Then we bring those sins under the searching light of Scripture, confess them, reject opportunities to feed them, and depend upon the Spirit for strength.

The evidence of spiritual life is not sinless perfection but ongoing warfare. Dead men do not fight sin. Living believers do.

Contemplation

What particular sin have I been tolerating instead of actively seeking to mortify?

Puritan Quote

John Owen wrote:

“Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, expose the sins I excuse and strengthen me to put them to death. Give me hatred for sin and increasing love for holiness and Christ. Amen.

Application

Name one recurring sin before God today and take one concrete step to cut off an opportunity that feeds it.