Fighting for Life

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” — John 10:10 (KJV)

Why bother with all this? Owen gives a simple answer:

“The vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.”

Think of a plant being strangled by weeds. The weeds take the water and light, and the plant can’t grow. Pull the weeds and the plant flourishes. Sin is like those weeds. When it is left alone, it drains the life out of your friendship with God. You find it hard to pray, hard to read the Bible, hard to feel God is near, hard to have joy.

Owen says unmortified sin weakens the soul and darkens it. It takes away our peace, and it makes us less useful to God and to other people.

But when sin is being put to death, the opposite happens. Prayer comes alive. Joy grows. You become more able to love people. Owen’s whole point is that killing sin is not about becoming less alive. It is about becoming more alive.

This is very different from how sin presents itself. Sin promises life, fun and freedom. But Jesus said the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Sin always takes more than it gives. Jesus came so that we might have life to the full.

Owen also warns about what happens when people stop fighting. He had seen Christians who were once humble, tender and eager for God become cold, angry and worldly over time, not usually because of one big fall, but because they stopped watching and let sin grow.

So the fight is worth it. Every time you say no to sin and yes to God, you are not losing something. You are clearing space for life.

One thing to do this week: think of one area where sin has been draining life from you: your joy, your prayer, a friendship. This week, take one practical step against that sin, and then notice whether you have more life and freedom in that area.