Calvary Baptist Joliet Discussion

In this chapter Owen finally begins to tell us what mortification IS.  But before he does he explains to us why unsaved people are not utterly carried away by a single mortified lust.  I found his comment on this point extremely insightful.

“[A man who has no lust mortified] is always under the power of a strong bent and inclination to sin.  And the reason why a natural man is not always perpetually in the pursuit of some one lust, night and day, is because he has many to serve, every one crying to be satisfied; thence he is carried on with great variety, but still in general he lies toward the satisfaction of self.” (p. 73)

But this is not the case for the true child of God.  Those who have trusted in Christ have a responsibility to mortify sin.  Owen then offers these descriptors of mortification.

1.  Mortification consists in a habitual weakening of sin.

2.  Mortification consists in constant fighting and contending against sin.

3.  Mortification consists in frequent success.

Along the way the Doctor provides this analogy which I believe does a great deal to clarify his definition:

“As a man nailed to the cross first struggles and strives and cries out with great strength and might, but, as his blood and spirits waste, his strivings are faint and seldom, his cries low and hoarse, scarce to be heard; when a man first sets on a lust or distemper, to deal with it, it struggles with great violence to break loose; it cries with earnestness and impatience to be satisfied and relieved; but when by mortification the blood and spirits of it are let out, it moves seldom and faintly, cries sparingly and is scarce heard in the heart; it may have sometimes a dying pang, that makes and appearance of great vigor and strength, but it is quickly over, especially if it be kept from considerable success.” (p. 75)

According to this analogy how is mortification different than simply removing yourself from temptation?  Is it sometimes wise to remove yourself from facing certain temptations?  Why or why not?  How would you explain this in light of what we have come to learn about mortification?

Mike,

Very well said.  I think you really hit the nail on the head with:

Mortification is actually deciding not to ignore temptation but to develop strength against the desire to sin by any Godly means and definite progressive application. 

 

We don’t grow in Godliness by osmosis.

The real question is, who is Mike?? so that I can know who is sharpening me through his thought out, drawn out conclusions. I would like to add 2, maybe only 1 cent to Mike's comments.
 

"When one removes oneself from temptation at all costs, there is no real growth in Godliness or Holiness."

And before I add my 1 cent, you did respond positively to a need for removal of temptation. 

I would contend (maybe a better word would be add) that when a person removes themselves from temptation it could be because of growth in godliness or holiness.  There may be a blind spot that I was not aware of until the Holy Spirit illumined my eyes to seeing that sin.  It would behoove me (I just wanted to use that word) to remove myself from temptation of that sin at all costs at that point.  I removed the temptation because of real growth in godliness and holiness.  

 Also, I would contend/add that a removal of oneself from temptation at all costs could result in growth in godliness or holiness. This has the same idea as above only now, the Spirit allowed me to take a temptation away, causing me then to see my need to grow in godliness or holiness.  I would not have been able to make that change apart from the removal of that temptation.  An example of this would be watching TV for too long. For instance, say I didn't really have a desire to turn off the TV, but our cable was shut down.  I couldn't watch TV for a week, and God used it to show me my need for Him rather than my need for TV.  Because of a removal of a temptation the result was growth. 

 
The ultimate statement you made still stands in tact, I believe.  I just wanted to add a couple of footnotes or a couple of cents to it.  Thank you for your comments as they challenged me to think carefully over the questions posed.  As pastor said, very well said, whoever you are:-D
 

JBoe,

Thanks for your thoughtful reflection.  There is a delicate balance between dealing with the heart and wisely recognizing your own weaknesses as you seek to mortify sin.

And the identity of Mystery Michael, is Mike Prete.  Obviously you are not in my small group, or you would have known that by the carefulness of his post.  Mike is notorious for his thoroughness.  Some time ago in our group we challeneged Mike to do a study on complaining, and he promptly came back with a 100 page disseration.  He puts us all to shame by, shall I say, his ambitious definition of "a brief study."