Owen takes up the topic of attacking sin for the right motives. He explains that if we only seek to mortify a particular sin because it trouble us in some way (i.e. anger causes us to have to apologize frequently, complaining is perceived negative by our family, etc. . .), but we give no heed to other sins in our life because they are not causing us discomfort then we will make no progress in actual mortification. Here is Owen's own summary of this thought:
Hatred of sin as sin, not only as galling or disquieting, a sense of the love of Christ in the cross, lies at the bottom of all true spiritual mortification. Now, it is certain that that which I speak of proceeds from self-love. You set yourself with all diligence and earnestness to moritfy such a lust or sin; what is the reason of it? It disquites you, it has taken away your peace, it fills you heart with sorrow and trouble and fear; you have no rest because of it. Yea, but firend, you have neglected prayer or reading; you have been vain and loose in you conversation in other things, that have not been of the same nature with that lust wherewith you are perplexed. These are no less sins and evils than those under which you groan. Jesus Christ bled for them also. Why do you not set yourself against them also? If you hate sin as sin, every evil way, you would be no less watchful against everything that grieves and disquiets the Spirit of God, than against that which grieves and troubles you own soul.
This is very convicting to me because is exposes just how often I go about mortification for motives that do no please Christ. What seemingly "good" motives do you think can prevent you from pursuing mortification for the best motives?