The Puritans and other used to speak of mortifying sin, that is putting to death our sin nature. John MacArthur points to eight scriptural principles in The Vanishing Conscience.
1) Abstain from fleshly lusts. (1Pet 2:11; 1Cor 6:8; Eph 4:28) The best way to kill sin is to stop sinning. As Yoda told Luke, "Do. Or do not. There is not try."
2) Make no provision for the flesh. (Rom 13:4) This may include avoiding the junk food isle at the store, setting the alarm for earlier in the day, going for a walk, reading Scripture daily. Where ever we struggle with sin we have to stop making excuses and start making plans to overcome.
3) Fix your heart on Christ. (1John 3:23) We must realize that Jesus is our great reward.
4) Meditate on God's Word. (Ps. 119:5, 11; 1:2; Josh 1:8; John 17:17; Col 3:16; Eph 6:17) Many people today think that meditation is the clearing the mind of all thoughts. However, biblical meditation is the filling of the mind with God's Word. Chewing the words over and over in order to better understand and apply them to our lives.
5) Pray without ceasing. (Luke 22:40; Matt 26:41) We need to be in a continual prayerful attitude.
6) Watch and Pray. (Ps. 19:12; 1 John 1:9; Heb 4:16) We are called to be vigilant.
7) Exercise self-Control. (Gal 5:23; 1 Cor 9:25-27; Luke 21:34; 2 Pet 1:3-11) By God's grace and with His help, we must strive to overcome our passions, desires, and self.
8) Be filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5:18;Rom 8:13; Phil 2:13-13; Gal 5:16) The Spirit dwells inside every believer, but we often grieve him and quench his work. To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in obedience to his leadership.
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