Some Final Biblical Directives

The point: Seek to mortify sins from the posture of justified sinners, standing on the reality of no condemnation in Christ.

Martin recommends John Owen's treatises on temptation and mortification, noting their original context as sermons to Oxford students, to provide historical and theological depth to the concept of mortification.

And here I heartily recommend for those of you that don't feel you could bite off the full treatise, volume six of John Owen has three separate treatises. One on temptation, one on mortification, and the third one I have forgotten, but it's three treatises. And here in this condensed version that is done by Andrew Swanson, what every Christian needs to know, Owen's treatment on temptation and mortification are very

19:02 - 19:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Mortify sexual sins by a purposeful and righteous avoidance of anything that tempts to indulgence.

Martin uses the analogy of pilots needing continuous practice to react correctly in a crisis, comparing it to the need for continuous, pre-programmed spiritual reflexes in avoiding temptation, citing Mr. Kennedy's plane crash as a negative example.

Some of you who've been active in sports know that the reason you get drilled by a good coach again and again and again and again and again in the basics is that they know in the heat of athletic contest it's what you have pro-spontaneously in the field of conflict. That's why I've continually mortified my desire to get a pilot's license. Everything in me still wants to fly a plane. I have for 35 years.

37:53 - 38:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, clothing yourself with gospel realities and motives, but also make no forethought for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.

Martin quotes John Owen: 'He who takes no care to avoid the occasions of sin is not serious about dealing with sin itself,' reinforcing the importance of purposeful avoidance.

And you can try to put on Christ and put on Christ until your arms are weary. But if you take forethought to place yourself in positions of lust you'll never mortify sexual sin. How wise is the Spirit of God in giving this directive. John Owen said he who takes no care to avoid the occasions of sin is not serious about dealing with sin itself.

43:26 - 43:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, clothing yourself with gospel realities and motives, but also make no forethought for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.

The story of Joseph in Genesis 39 is presented as a prime biblical example of purposeful and righteous avoidance of sexual temptation, highlighting his refusal and flight.

Now let's look at a couple of biblical examples of some people engaging in gospel mortification. Genesis chapter 2 chapter 39. Perhaps some of you already thought of this.

44:06 - 44:17 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He says don't even go by her door. If you don't go by her door, you'll never be in her arms. And if you're not in her arms, you won't be in her bed.

Solomon's counsel in Proverbs 5 and 7 to 'remove your way far from her' and 'come not near the door of her house' is used to illustrate the principle of avoiding even the proximity of temptation.

Here Solomon is teaching his son things that apparently he forgot himself through a critical period of his life. He speaks to his son and says in warning against the immoral woman, giving descriptions of her in the opening verses, from verse 3 onward. Now in verse 7. Now therefore, my sons, hearken to me.

50:39 - 51:05 Read in full sermon

The point: Jealously guard all the inlets to the soul (eyes, ears, hands) that would provoke mental or actual sexual sins.

Job's declaration, 'I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully upon a girl,' is used as a positive example of guarding the eyes as an inlet to the soul.

And I'm not sure if I should put hands in that category, but since Jesus addresses hands in Matthew 5, I stuck them in. Eyes. Eyes are the inlet to the soul, particularly with reference to sexual sins. You remember Job's words?

55:08 - 55:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Jealously guard all the inlets to the soul (eyes, ears, hands) that would provoke mental or actual sexual sins.

Samson's story in Judges 14 is used as a negative example, illustrating how his eyes were the inlet to his lust and eventual downfall, leading to his eyes being gouged out.

But my covenant was that my eye would never be the inlet to lustful desires toward a woman other. What was Samson's downfall? One of the old writers perceptibly said that in God's chastening of Samson, I may have said Samuel, I meant Samson, it was right that God should allow his eyes to be gouged out. For it was his eyes that led him to dishonor his God and to be shorn of his power.

55:54 - 56:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not watch movies with scenes of lust, adultery, fornication, or illicit physical contact, as this is voyeurism and uncleanness.

David's sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 is presented as another negative example, showing how his eyes led him from looking to lust, adultery, and murder.

You want to be shorn of your power and bring disgrace to God? Then let your eye be the inlet to your soul of lust and of burning sinful passion. David, his trouble began with his eyes. Second Samuel chapter 11 and verse 2.

58:01 - 58:24 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are utterly crippled by these sins and not in Christ, go to Him as you are for freedom.

Martin quotes the children's song 'Be careful, little eyes, what you see' to reinforce the simple yet profound truth of guarding the inlets to the soul.

Watch your hands. I couldn't help but think of the little ditty that many of us learned as kids. Be careful, little eyes, what you see. Be careful, little eyes, what you see.

65:41 - 65:53 Read in full sermon