Deaden Sin

“For 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

When someone today thinks of the word “mortify,” they usually think of it when someone is deeply embarrassed about something, but mortify when used in the Bible means “to kill, to nullify, to deaden, neutralize; to discipline one’s body, appetites, etc. by suppressing desires, or to practice abstinence on.”

Paul wrote a few examples in Colossians of some things that a Christian needs to deaden off in their life.

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5

Fornication is sexual relationships between two people who are not married. Several times throughout the New Testament it warns to keep free from fornication. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that the body of a Christian is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and that we need to flee fornication.

“Inordinate” affection would be affection for something that is inappropriate, or wrong. I would classify the sin of homosexuality under inordinate affection, because it is not how God created humans to be. Who did God create in the beginning? Adam, a man, and because God saw that Adam needed a helper, He created Eve, a woman, for him. How are babies born? Because of a man and a woman. That is the order that God created, for a man and a woman to come together to bring forth children. Not homosexuality.

“Concupiscence” is a strong, ardent sexual desire or lust. “Evil concupiscence” would mean a sexual desire that is not ordained by God, i.e, marriage between a man and woman. Homosexuality I should think would also fall under this.

“Covetousness” is the immoderate desire for the possession of something, or greed. The desire for something that you do not possess. Covetousness, depending on the situation, can lead to several other sins. It could lead to theft, it could lead to fighting, and several other things. 

“For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:” Colossians 3:6

If someone continues to live in this state of sin, without repenting, they will face wrath of God. God hates sin, and, while He is greatly merciful, He will punish those who continue to abuse His mercy and forgiveness.

Think of it as a small baby or toddler, in the arms of their parent. Without realizing or meaning to do it, they might smack or slap their parent’s face with their fist. Realizing that they are just a baby, the parent would probably ignore it, and gently tell them “no” but if the slapping continues, slowly the mom or dad will become more agitated, until it reached a point to where the child needs to be disciplined.

“In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” Colossians 3:7

We all are sinners, born into sin. We inherited it. All have sinned, the Bible teaches. Before we read or heard the Scriptures, we didn’t know what sin was. We didn’t know that lying was sinful. Or that covetousness upset the Lord. But know that we do know this, we need to deaden off those sins. 

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” Colossians 3:8

It is alright to be angry, as we read in Ephesians 4:26. Jesus Himself was angry with those who were selling in the temple. The anger written about here is the anger that leads to sin. Wrath is great anger, so I will include it here as well.

“Malice” is “the intention to harm or deprive in an illegal or immoral way, or to take pleasure in another’s misfortune.” It is the wanting to see someone harmed. Put simply, it is not love.

“Blasphemy” is “irreverence toward something considered sacred,” which in Christianity, is our Lord and His word. When the soldiers mocked Jesus before His crucifixtion, that was blasphemy. To attribute the works of God to the devil, as the Pharisees did in Matthew 12:24, that is blasphemy. Any irreverence toward the Father, the Son, or the Holy Ghost is blasphemy, and have no place in the life of a Christian.

Filthy communication is talking in a manner that is inappropriate, and wicked. Saying things that shouldn’t be said.

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

Lying is a sin, used to cover up one’s mistakes or faults. Instead of lying, speak the truth in love. In the church we need to admit our sins so we can be forgiven, not try to hide them. Lying also is deceitful, and not love. That is how we used to live before we came to Christ, but now we are His servants, living in love toward each other.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10

The old man is gone. Buried and in the ground, so to speak. We have been raised up a new man by the Holy Spirit, and have started our new life of love toward our God. 

Deaden off those sins, and begin anew in Christ.

In Christ,

Andrew

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