Sin and the Body
A Sermon on Romans 8:12-13
Originally preached May 27, 1960
Scripture
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For 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.
Sermon Description
The Christian is called to deal with sin in a radical way. The language the apostle Paul uses is “to mortify flesh.” But what exactly does this mean? How does the Christian kill sin? In this sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “Sin and the Body,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the passage and looks deeper into the doctrine of sanctification. Specifically, he gives attention to the practical expression of sanctification. He gives both negative ways to mortify sin and positive expressions. What must be remembered, he says, is that the Christian is not powerless against sin. Many false views of the doctrine of sanctification teach this. However, the biblical teaching is that the believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling them. They cannot rely on joyless legalism. Instead, they gaze their attention on the glorification that awaits them. While the Christians practically shun darkness, lust, and enticement, they also expose and denounce immediately any evil that comes out. More importantly, they remember that they are God’s chosen means of representing Him to the world. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives a pastorally-sensitive message on sanctification and holiness.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Christian is called upon to mortify the deeds of his body.
- The word “body” means our physical body, not “flesh.” Our physical bodies are still subject to sin and corruption.
- Sin remains in our mortal, dying bodies, hence the struggle against sin. Our bodies have not yet been delivered from sin.
- The body prompts us to evil deeds by trying to turn natural instincts into sinful acts, like overeating or drinking too much.
- To “mortify” means to deaden, put to death, render inoperative. We must mortify the deeds of the body.
- We must do this through the Spirit, not by handing it over to God. We have the power through the Spirit to mortify sin.
- We must understand our position in Christ. We have been given all we need for life and godliness. We have the Spirit in us. We have no excuse to sin.
- When we sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit in us. We must stop complaining about our weakness and use the power we have.
- We must keep our ultimate goal, eternal life, in sight. We are pilgrims on earth.
- We must make our calling and election sure by doing what God commands. If we do, we will never fall.
- False ways of mortification: Roman Catholic monasticism (escaping the world), legalism (imposed rules without the Spirit)
- True mortification: Abstain from sin. Stop doing it. Have no fellowship with sin or those who do evil.
- Keep under your body with discipline. Control your appetites and desires.
- Make no provision for the flesh. Avoid temptation. Make a covenant with your eyes.
- Deal with sin at its first motion. Nip it in the bud. Don’t repress but expose and denounce it.
- If you sin, don’t heal too quickly or despair. Have godly sorrow and repent, then move on.
- Be positive. Watch, stand fast in faith, be strong men. Walk in the Spirit. Add to your faith.
- Remember you are chosen, a royal priesthood, to show God’s praises. Live for His glory.
Sermon Q&A
How Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Mortifying the Deeds of the Body?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provided a comprehensive teaching on mortifying the deeds of the body in Romans 8:12-13. His sermon explains the biblical approach to sanctification and practical steps for overcoming sin in the Christian life.
What does Romans 8:12-13 teach about sanctification?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 8:12-13 is "crucial" to understanding biblical sanctification. The passage states: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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."
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these verses directly refute false theories of sanctification by showing that Christians themselves have an active role in overcoming sin: "Having seen that sanctification is something in which a man himself plays a part, that he doesn't just admit that he's absolutely hopeless and hand it all over to the risen Lord to do it for him."
What does "mortifying the deeds of the body" actually mean?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "to mortify" means "to deaden, is to put to death, is to render inoperative, to make extinct." The "body" refers to our physical bodies where sin still remains, even though we're regenerated spiritually.
He clarifies that the body itself is not inherently sinful (which would be heresy): "The teaching is not that the human body is inherently sinful or that matter is inherently sinful." Rather, the sin that remains in our mortal bodies tries to turn natural instincts into something sinful through "inordinate affection" and exaggeration of natural desires.
What are the false approaches to mortifying sin that Christians should avoid?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two major false approaches:
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The Roman Catholic method - monasticism, physical self-punishment, excessive fasting, and bodily abuse: "Anything to keep it down, anything to crush it, as it were."
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Legalism or false puritanism - imposing strict external rules without proper doctrinal foundation: "It was a joyless religion. It was a legalism. It was a tyranny. There was no happiness, there was no joy."
He notes that the reaction against these errors led some to the opposite extreme of passivity, which is equally unbiblical.
What is the true biblical way to mortify the deeds of the body?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that mortification is done "through the Spirit" or "by the Spirit." This means:
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Recognizing the Holy Spirit's presence and power within you: "A man who's got the Holy Spirit residing in him must never utter such an expression [that he has no power]."
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Understanding your true spiritual position in Christ: "All things that pertain to life and godliness have been given you. Stop moaning and grumbling and complaining."
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Realizing that sin grieves the Holy Spirit: "The moment a man sees that he deals with it. It isn't what happens to him. He's grieving the Holy Spirit of God."
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Keeping the ultimate goal in sight: "If we only thought of ourselves more and more as pilgrims of eternity, which is what we are."
What practical steps did Lloyd-Jones recommend for mortifying sin?
Lloyd-Jones provides several direct (negative) practical steps:
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Abstain from sin - "Stop doing it. Stop it at once. Never do it again."
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Avoid sinful company - "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness."
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Keep the body under control - "Don't eat too much. Don't drink too much. Don't sleep too much."
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Make no provision for the flesh - "If you know people have a bad influence over you. Avoid them."
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Deal with the first motions of sin immediately - "Nip it in the bud. Deal with it at once. Never let it get even a moment's foothold."
He also offers positive steps:
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Be strong and vigilant - "Watch ye. Stand fast in the faith. Quit you like men, be strong."
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Walk in the Spirit - "Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh."
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Build up your Christian character - "Add to your faith virtue... knowledge... temperance... patience... godliness... brotherly kindness... charity."
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Take a positive approach - "Your ambition and desire should not be negative and merely a desire to get rid of this particular thing... Be positive desire to be big and great and a man and strong and noble and like Christ himself."
Why is mortifying sin so important for Christians?
Lloyd-Jones concludes that mortifying sin is essential because Christians are called to represent God to the world:
"We are this chosen generation, this royal priesthood, this holy nation, this peculiar people, and that God has made us this. Why? Well, that we should show forth, display his excellencies, his glories, his virtues."
When Christians fail to mortify sin, "the terrible thing is not so much that I failed or that I fallen... but that I've let God down and that men and women in the world will know nothing about his praise and his glory."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.