Mortification
Summary
The spiritual discipline of putting to death sinful desires and habits through the power of the Holy Spirit, a duty enjoined upon believers in Scripture.
☩Biblical Foundation
The apostle Paul commands: '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' (Romans 8:13). Again: 'Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth' (Colossians 3:5). This duty involves breaking the league with sin, declaring open hostility against it, and strong resistance to it (Ephesians 6:10; Galatians 5:24).
☩Means of Mortification
The means of mortifying sin are not macerating the body, seclusion from society, or human resolutions. Rather, the Holy Spirit is the chief agent (Romans 8:13), while faith, prayer, and dependence upon God are subordinate means. The religion of Christ inculcates habitual self-control and readiness in discharging appointed duties—a self-denial more difficult than mere physical austerities.
☩Evidences of True Mortification
True mortification is not evidenced by mere cessation from one sin, which may simply be exchanged for another or renounced only because it is gross. Rather, if sin is truly mortified, believers will resist temptation, experience increasing spiritual-mindedness, find greater happiness in spiritual services, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
☩Distinction from Asceticism
Wherever austerities have been practiced as meritorious, erroneous views of Christian truth can be traced. Religions mixed with human corruption place religious excellence more in self-inflicted sufferings than in moral duties. True Christian mortification restores and invigorates the soul's life by slaying the disease of sin, not by destroying nature itself.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mortification (1)," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Charles Buck, "Mortification," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
- 3.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Mortification," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. X (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).