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Sanctification and Mortification: Steps to Overcome Temptation

David Mathis interviews Don Carson about sanctification, and in particular the flip side to sanctification, mortification: “steps to overcome temptation” (3 ½ minutes): http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/steps-to-overcome-temptation

Carson helpfully applies this to a specific example of pornography. One of the essential things Carson mentions is the necessity of a growing love for God and for the character of Christ and an increased delight in Christ that ought to make these sins to which we become chained seem shoddy and cheap. One has stated that we worship our way into the chain of sin; we must worship our way out of the sin. The chains of sin are broken through a deepening relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. The old chains have no attraction and become ugly. The gospel frees us from guilt and as the old hymn writer said it “breaks the power of cancelled sin.”

Greg Strand

Greg Strand is EFCA executive director of theology and credentialing, and he serves on the Board of Ministerial Standing as well as the Spiritual Heritage Committee. He and his family are members of Northfield (Minnesota) EFC.

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