You’ve tried to stop certain habits.
You’ve told yourself,
“I’m done with this.”
And maybe for a while…
you were.
But then it comes back.
Same pull.
Same thoughts.
Same pattern.
So what does it actually mean to “put sin to death”?
Because that sounds strong.
Almost extreme.
But how do you live that out…
in normal, everyday life?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
READ THE VERSE (KJV)
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Romans 8:13 (KJV)
WHAT DOES “MORTIFY” MEAN?
Mortify means to put to death.
Not manage.
Not reduce.
Not control.
Put it to death.
Think about something you completely cut off.
No access.
No room.
No supply.
That’s the idea.
The Bible says:
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…”
Colossians 3:5 (KJV)
So this isn’t about slowly easing away.
It’s about a decisive break.
Here’s the question.
Are you managing the habit…
or are you actually cutting it off?
WHAT IS REALLY BEING SAID HERE?
This verse shows two directions.
Living after the flesh…
or living through the Spirit.
There’s no middle ground.
But here’s the real struggle.
You still feel the pull.
So it feels like nothing changed.
But the difference now…
is that you’re not powerless.
You have a choice.
A moment where you can either feed it…
or cut it off.
The Bible says:
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (KJV)
So this isn’t just about resisting.
It’s about replacing.
Changing what you follow.
CONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Romans 8 is about life in the Spirit.
Not just avoiding sin.
But living differently.
Earlier it says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation…”
Romans 8:1 (KJV)
So this verse isn’t about fear.
It’s about freedom.
You’re not trying to earn anything.
You’re learning to live out what’s already been given.
That changes the tone completely.
THE CONNECTION MOST PEOPLE MISS
Notice this phrase:
“Through the Spirit…”
That’s key.
This isn’t self-effort.
You don’t do this alone.
It connects to this:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live…”
Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
So putting sin to death isn’t about trying harder.
It’s about depending differently.
Leaning on the Spirit instead of your own strength.
WHERE THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL LIFE (BIBLE STORIES)
Look at Jesus in the wilderness.
He was tempted.
Real pressure.
Real opportunity.
“If thou be the Son of God…”
Matthew 4:3 (KJV)
But each time…
He answered with Scripture.
He cut it off immediately.
Didn’t entertain it.
Didn’t play with it.
Now look at Daniel.
Faced with pressure to compromise.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”
Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
That decision came before the situation.
He had already settled it.
So when the moment came…
he didn’t negotiate.
So let me ask you.
Are you deciding in the moment…
or have you already settled it beforehand?
LET’S BE HONEST
This is daily.
Not one big decision.
But small ones.
Over and over.
And sometimes you get tired.
Sometimes you slip.
And you think,
“What’s the point?”
But this isn’t about never failing.
It’s about not feeding what’s pulling you away.
The Bible says:
“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (KJV)
So you stay aware.
You stay watchful.
Not perfect.
But intentional.
WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LIVE THIS
This verse points to a clear shift.
From feeding the flesh…
to cutting it off.
Before this…
sin feels automatic.
You react without thinking.
You follow the same patterns.
After this…
you start catching it earlier.
You interrupt it.
You choose differently.
Even if it’s small at first.
The shift is this:
from automatic reaction → intentional response
from feeding habits → starving them
from being led by impulses → being led by the Spirit
The Bible says:
“They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh…”
Galatians 5:24 (KJV)
That’s not passive.
That’s active.
And it happens daily.
Putting sin to death isn’t one big moment.
It’s daily choices.
Quiet ones.
Repeated ones.
And over time…
they change your direction.
So here’s the real question.
What are you still feeding…
that you already know you need to cut off?
Sit with that.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
