In this chapter Owen seeks to carefully outline what mortification is NOT. I think in so doing he serves us by helping us to avoid setting our sites either too low or too high. Ultimately, if we do not properly understand mortification then our pursuit of holiness will be filled with confusion and discouragment.
The following are Owen's descriptions of what mortificationis not:
- Mortification is not the utter destruction and death of sin.
To mortify a sin is not utterly to kill, root it out, and destroy it, that is hould have no more hold at all nor residence in our hearts. It is true this is that which is aimed at; but this is not in this life to be accomplished. (69)
- Mortificaiton is not the dissimulation of sin.
He adds this gem to explain.
When a man on some outward respects forsakes the practice of any sin, men perhaps may look on him as a changed man. God knows that to the former iniquity he has added cursed hypocrisy, and is now on a safer path to hell that he was before. He has got another heart than he had, that is more cunning; not a new heart, that is more holy. (70)
- Mortification is not the improvement of a quiet, sedate nature.
Let not such persons try their mortificaiton by such things as their natural temper gives no life or vigor to. Let them bring themselves to sel-denial, unbelief, envy or some such spiritual sin, and they will have a better view of themselves.(71)
- Mortification is not the diversion of sin.
Again here is classic Owen.
He that changes pride for worldliness, sensuality for Pharisaism, vanity in himself to the contempt of others, let him not think that he has mortified the sin that he seems to have left. He has changed his master, but is a servant still. (71)
- Mortification is not just occasional conquests over sin.
Men resolve at such times against their sins. Sin shall never more have any place in them; they will never again give up themselves to the service of it. Accordingly, sin is quiet, stirs not, seems to be mortified; not, indeed, that it has received any one wound, but merely because the soul has possessed its faculties, whereby it should exert istslf, with thougtht inconsistent with the motions thereof; which, when they are laid aside, sin returns agains to its former life and vigor. (72)
How are you prone to believe that sins are mortified when they really are not? Why is this a dangerous position?