What Killing Sin Is Not

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:12 (KJV)

Before explaining what killing sin is, Owen clears up some mistakes about what it is not. These are really helpful.

First, it is not getting rid of sin completely in this life. That is the goal, and Owen says real, wonderful victory is possible. But even Paul said he had not yet “attained”. Sin will not be totally gone until Christ makes us new. So don’t despair if you still feel temptation. That is normal.

Second, it is not just hiding sin. If you stop doing something in public but keep it going in your heart, you haven’t killed it. You’ve just learned to cover it up.

Third, it is not just having a calm personality. Some people are naturally less angry than others. That doesn’t mean they have defeated anger. Owen says such people should test themselves on sins their temperament doesn’t protect them from, like envy, pride or unbelief.

Fourth, it is not swapping one sin for another. Owen tells the story of Simon the magician in the book of Acts, who gave up his sorcery but was still full of greed and ambition. Owen says of someone like that:

“He hath changed his master, but is a servant still.”

For example, someone might stop shoplifting but start cheating at school. The outward sin changed. The heart didn’t.

Fifth, it is not a burst of effort after a crisis. When sin causes a disaster, when you get caught, or you hurt someone badly, or you feel terrible, you may throw yourself against it, and for a while it seems dead. Owen compares it to soldiers who kill an enemy leader in a night raid: the enemy pulls back for a bit, then regroups. Sin often goes quiet after a crisis, then comes back.

Owen is not saying these moments are worthless. A crisis can wake you up. But real change is something steadier and deeper.

One thing to do this week: look at Owen’s five “nots” again. Is one of them true of you, for example, hiding a sin, or swapping one sin for another? Talk to God honestly about it this week.