Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

by John Owen – February 16th, 2019 

Chapter 6 “WHAT MORTIFICATION IS” Continued 

2. Constant Fighting and Contending against Sin

To be able always to be laying load on sin is no small degree of mortification. When sin is strong and vigorous the soul is scarce able to make any head against it. It sighs, groans, mourns, and is troubled, but seldom has sin in the pursuit. David speaks of himself, complaining that his sin had “taken fast hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up” (Psa 40:12). How little then was he able to fight against it!

Now, various things are required for and involved in this fighting against sin.

1. Recognize the battle

   To know that a man has such an enemy to deal with, to take notice of it, to consider it as an enemy indeed, and one that is to be destroyed by all means possible, is required hereunto. As I said before, the contest is vigorous and hazardous: it is about the things of eternity. When therefore men have slight and transient thoughts of their lusts, it is no great sign that they are mortified or that they are in a way for their mortification. This is every man’s knowing “the plague of his own heart” (1Ki 8:38), without which no other work can be done. It is to be feared that very many have little knowledge of the main enemy that they carry about with them in their bosoms. This makes them ready to justify themselves and to be impatient with reproof or admonition, not knowing that they are in any danger (2Ch 16:10).

 Excerpts from Mortification of Sin by John Owen from:The Chapel Library •  chapel@mountzion.org