Mortifying Sin: Your Best Advice?

[Reformed Catholic]

Brothers.
I greet you in the Lord.

A lot of you are far wiser and more mature than I am and have spent years walking the way as a pilgrim. I converted to Christianity from atheism only 2 years ago and since then, I have tried my best to mortify pride, lust, sloth, worldliness, unbelief, etc... and have often come far short. Especially as a young man, the temptation towards p0rnography and lust is like a never-ending cloud that always looms over my head. And it often has gotten the better of me.

I wanted to ask whether there was any one piece of advice, wisdom, book, sermon, series, etc... anything that really made it "click" or had a drastic impact in your walk? I am currently going through a series of lectures on John Owen's Mortification of Sin, which I have already read.

Appreciate you all and any piece of wisdom and/or advice you can give and God bless.

 

[CasualWestminsterEnjoyer]

Downame's Christian Warfare is one of the classic works on the life of godliness.

Above all, follow the examples of David and Daniel of rising early to meditate on Scripture and pray, and set aside time to pray noon and evening as well.

 

[davejonescue]

Also, Downames Warfare Pt. 1 has been done by Monergsim, and I will be starting on Pt. 2 very shortly. This may help you if the bunched together text, or having to read on a computer in the original makes it a bit troublesome. This version can be put on a Kindle or even read on your phone. We plan to have Pt. 3 and 4 finished in the next month or so.

Downame, John — The Christian Warfare (Reformed Theology eBook)

John Downame’s four-volume work examines the believer’s spiritual warfare, addressing temptation, the devices of Satan, and the use of God’s armor for

www.monergism.com

 

[davejonescue]

Besides just a plug for a book, on a more serious note, I want to emphasize that there are actual unmarried Christians that have tackled this issue. When I was caught in the grips of p0rnography and self-gratification, it felt like something that could never be broken; and for many of us men, it is something that started early, almost as soon as we could, and if left unchecked, continues into adulthood. But overcoming this is not impossible. Now, there are some practical things you can do, i.e. blockers, accountability partners, etc. But in reality, lust is resilient. Ultimately, men do not need p0rnography, and we can easily get into the rut of disappointing our accountability partners as much as we may work towards getting their approval.

What is really going to be the facilitator of change, is prayer. Sounds so simple right? On the surface it is, but we all know prayer is probably one of the most neglected weapons in the arsenal. See, chastity and purity is a gift. People often mistake outward things as having some sort of great impact, when what we need is God to grant us the conviction, the repentance, and the restraint.

We cant even look at TV without a suggestive picture. We can be innocently scrolling Facebook and a p0rn vid pop-up. Our society is so sex-infested that "covering the eyes" will not do. There has to be a warrior within you greater than the world; and greater than yourself. Think of these verses, the woman who pestered the judge, the woman who was happy with crumbs, Jacob not letting go until he was blessed. Is your purity one of your greatest treasures, have you sold everything to purchase it? Sexual immorality cannot be fought half-heartily. But there is hope. The Bible says "he who started the good work in you will finish it up." Do you believe that? Do you believe God will leave you gratifying yourself to digital harlots? No, he wont, not if you are elect. Do you have assurance of your salvation by evidences of the Spirit in your life? Then be fully assured that you will be made well.

My biggest advice, while the practical things are of some good, rather beg God, plead with God, remind God that it is in his power to heal you and that it is "a little thing" for him to do so. Remind God that your purity glorifies him. In my opinion, though I may be wrong, sexual purity is an entire work of God. He heals, but he also keeps from sickness. Just remember, that at the point you may be at, where you have possibly gone decades self-gratifying, that a life not doing it is possible. But it will never come from your own effort, that is, trying harder to stop. The greatest weapon in this fight is prayer. Non-ceasing, continual, pleading, begging prayer. And God in his mercy will pity you, as he as done so many others. This doesnt mean be passive in your combat, but instead, recognize your greatest weapons.

What ever you do, dont give up. Victory is possible; and, if you are one of Gods own, it is inevitable.

 

[Clemson_Gentleman]

“Put off” but also “put on”. Mortify sin, but also “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t just sweep the house clean, fill it with Christ-like fruit, through the means of grace.

Rrepent repent repent. Anecdotally, I have turned away from particular sins just from the thought of having to come to the Lord weeping and repenting over the same sins once again. Even though receiving His forgiveness is sweet, displeasing Him is so bitter, and increasingly so.

Don’t look for a quick fix or tricks. This is your daily work now and it’s a fight for your very life. Be zealous but realize the vast majority of your life has been spent in pure sin and rebellion, the effects of which you have only begun to realize.

God bless you brother

 

[alexanderjames]

it will never come from your own effort, that is, trying harder to stop.

This doesn't mean be passive in your combat, but instead, recognize your greatest weapons.

In mortification we are taught to tackle the root of the issue. As creatures we all have thoughts, emotions and desires as creatures, and these underlying things are not necessarily evil. However, when these are left unchecked, pushed aside by distraction, or suppressed by us in another way by our own willpower, they will often re-appear in ugly manifestations because the flesh will take hold of them and twist them to perversion.

By example, a believer might feel lonely or stressed. That's not sinful. It's most likely a natural response to the circumstances because of the fall. But the right response would not be to run off to distract oneself by entertainment, nor to try to fight against natural desires in one's own strength, nor to wallow in self pity.

(I say this to myself before others..) We need to learn to deal with our thoughts, desires and emotions in the right way humbly before God, not using willpower but taking them captive to Christ, and processing them properly by the Spirit through faith. That's probably going to mean sitting with negative feelings, but instead of giving into some self-destructive pattern that we are tempted to fall into, we can rest in the goodness of God, remembering for example Hebrews 4:15.

I recommend you continue with J. Owen and read 'On Temptation' and seek to practice a consistent walk with God walking by the Spirit. And remind yourself always, you are not justified by the works of the law, but by Christ through faith (John 5:24). Thank you for your encouraging post.

 

[Deleted member 6112]

I wanted to ask whether there was any one piece of advice, wisdom, book, sermon, series, etc... anything that really made it "click" or had a drastic impact in your walk?

That the only way to mortify sin is through faith in Christ crucified. He died to purchase your sanctification, and like other saving benefits, it can only be appropriated by the instrumentality of faith.

Owen was extremely helpful to me in this regard. I could only wish that he had led with that truth, and then returned to it, rather than waiting until the end to say it.

 

[TheBoringBaptist]

Brothers.
I greet you in the Lord.

A lot of you are far wiser and more mature than I am and have spent years walking the way as a pilgrim. I converted to Christianity from atheism only 2 years ago and since then, I have tried my best to mortify pride, lust, sloth, worldliness, unbelief, etc... and have often come far short. Especially as a young man, the temptation towards p0rnography and lust is like a never-ending cloud that always looms over my head. And it often has gotten the better of me.

I wanted to ask whether there was any one piece of advice, wisdom, book, sermon, series, etc... anything that really made it "click" or had a drastic impact in your walk? I am currently going through a series of lectures on John Owen's Mortification of Sin, which I have already read.

Appreciate you all and any piece of wisdom and/or advice you can give and God bless.

I'm a young man as well. If you want some books, here are two great ones I can recommend:

Thoughts For Young Men by JC Ryle: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/...ZCMdhRjdcoP3F_IGLQswjxpx1FLW89agLQ_CZQy0E8sCN

The Confessions of Saint Augustine: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Saint-Augustine-Edward-Pusey/dp/B0007ECBO2

You can also meditate on this passage:

Romans 13:8-14​

"
8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.


I'll be praying for you brother! Soli Deo Gloria!

Besides just a plug for a book, on a more serious note, I want to emphasize that there are actual unmarried Christians that have tackled this issue. When I was caught in the grips of p0rnography and self-gratification, it felt like something that could never be broken; and for many of us men, it is something that started early, almost as soon as we could, and if left unchecked, continues into adulthood. But overcoming this is not impossible. Now, there are some practical things you can do, i.e. blockers, accountability partners, etc. But in reality, lust is resilient. Ultimately, men do not need p0rnography, and we can easily get into the rut of disappointing our accountability partners as much as we may work towards getting their approval.

What is really going to be the facilitator of change, is prayer. Sounds so simple right? On the surface it is, but we all know prayer is probably one of the most neglected weapons in the arsenal. See, chastity and purity is a gift. People often mistake outward things as having some sort of great impact, when what we need is God to grant us the conviction, the repentance, and the restraint.

We cant even look at TV without a suggestive picture. We can be innocently scrolling Facebook and a p0rn vid pop-up. Our society is so sex-infested that "covering the eyes" will not do. There has to be a warrior within you greater than the world; and greater than yourself. Think of these verses, the woman who pestered the judge, the woman who was happy with crumbs, Jacob not letting go until he was blessed. Is your purity one of your greatest treasures, have you sold everything to purchase it? Sexual immorality cannot be fought half-heartily. But there is hope. The Bible says "he who started the good work in you will finish it up." Do you believe that? Do you believe God will leave you gratifying yourself to digital harlots? No, he wont, not if you are elect. Do you have assurance of your salvation by evidences of the Spirit in your life? Then be fully assured that you will be made well.

My biggest advice, while the practical things are of some good, rather beg God, plead with God, remind God that it is in his power to heal you and that it is "a little thing" for him to do so. Remind God that your purity glorifies him. In my opinion, though I may be wrong, sexual purity is an entire work of God. He heals, but he also keeps from sickness. Just remember, that at the point you may be at, where you have possibly gone decades self-gratifying, that a life not doing it is possible. But it will never come from your own effort, that is, trying harder to stop. The greatest weapon in this fight is prayer. Non-ceasing, continual, pleading, begging prayer. And God in his mercy will pity you, as he as done so many others. This doesnt mean be passive in your combat, but instead, recognize your greatest weapons.

What ever you do, dont give up. Victory is possible; and, if you are one of Gods own, it is inevitable.

I second this!