A visual aid for mortifying sin

In Sunday school, we've been going through The Mortification of Sin by John Owen, the Puritan Paperback version. I first read it as I was transitioning to reformed theology 10 years ago, and I am glad for the opportunity to reread this book again now that I am out of the cage-stage.

While we are called to put to death the deeds of the body, we do not do this to earn our salvation but because we have been saved. This is also not asceticism and denial for denial's sake, nor do we achieve a higher plane of spirituality as a result. This is a normal part of sanctification, a call to daily, practical holiness, which is enabled by the Holy Spirit as he works within us.

This past Sunday, one of the elders, Chad Boudreaux, taught the class on Chapter 6 which covers what mortification is. Chad is the chief compliance officer for his company. In my words, he is in charge of helping his company to "give no opportunity for the flesh" by establishing policies and procedures.

In the workplace, an employee may be under pressure by his/her boss to cut corners. If the opportunity comes up such that he/she can rationalize the bending or breaking of proper procedure, then wrong doing can occur. Now translate that to the Christian life, which Chad did in the following Venn diagram. Basically, if the temptation presents itself, an opportunity to give in arises, and we rationalize our abdication to that temptation, then we sin.

Of course, we experience a range of temptations. The opportunities for the flesh also come in various forms, and, depending on the temptation, our rationalizations will be different. But this diagram is a good way to get a handle on why we fall. It also helps us become aware of our potential weaknesses and areas of vulnerability. This awareness can drive us to prayer for God's help in resisting temptation, for a conscience that is sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and that we would not be led into temptation but delivered from evil. 

So thanks to Chad for this great visual aid. Here's a link so you can listen to the Sunday school lesson. And thanks to my daughter for taking my scribbly notes and making the diagram legible. I think I'm going to print it out as a reminder to help me watch and pray.