Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

by John Owen – February 19th, 2019 

Chapter 6 “WHAT MORTIFICATION IS” Continued 

3. Success against Sin

Frequent success against any lust is another part and evidence of mortification. By “success” I do not mean a mere disappointment of sin, so that it is not brought forth nor accomplished, but a victory over it and pursuit of it, resulting in a complete conquest. For instance, when the heart finds sin at work at any time—seducing, forming imaginations to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof—it instantly apprehends sin, brings it to the Law of God and love of Christ, condemns it, and follows it with execution to the uttermost.

Now, I say, sin is mortified in some considerable measure when a man comes to this state and condition: that lust is weakened in the root and principle, that its motions and actions are fewer and weaker than formerly, so that they are not able to hinder his duty nor interrupt his peace. Sin is mortified in some considerable measure when he can, in a quiet, sedate frame of spirit, discover and fight against sin, and have success against it. Then, notwithstanding all sin’s opposition, a man may have peace with God all his days.

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