A Checklist for the Soul

The Puritans spent a lot of time doing "surgery on the soul", exploring sin, its causes, effects and its remedies. One of the chief among them in this regard was John Owen. Here's a helpful list (abridged by me) on what will keep you motivated to mortify (kill) sin. On the flipside, neglect of these will lead to sin overpowering you.

1. The daily exercise of faith on Christ as crucified - This is the great fundamental means of the mortification (killing) of sin in general, and which we ought to apply in every particular instance of sin. What does this effect?

• A holy mourning in us (Zech 12:10)
• A conformity to Christ in death by overthrowing the reign of sin (Rom 8:8-11)
• A communion with Christ in his death by being dead to sin (Rom 6:4-5)
  

2. Continual Prayer - for these reasons:

• By this we obtain spiritual aids and supplies of strength against sin (1 Thess 5:23)
• Constant prayer leads to a frame of life that preserves the soul where sin cannot habitually prevail on it.
• This is the immediate weapon that the soul possesses against sin's power. Sin unchecked will gradually work out all due regard for prayer, either in the matter or manner of its performance. Here are some ways sin will do this:
  
  • It will produce in the mind an unreadiness for the duty of prayer when we should be in prayer.
    
  • It will add unwillingness to unreadiness, a mind preposessed by sin will be contrary to the interests, dispositions and inclinations of prayer.
  • Sin will finally prevail to a total neglect of the duty of prayer. Devotion to one, sin or prayer, will alienate the other.
    

3. Constant self-abasement, condemnation and abhorrency - Proverbs 10:9, "he that walks humbly walks surely". God regards the broken heart and contrite spirit. Humility in light of sin is the soil where all grace will thrive and flourish. One of the first areas where sin attacks is the humble frame of mind.

*I would add (if I may) that humility and the daily exercise of faith in Christ crucified is a remedy for pride as well. As Paul declared (Rom 12), "In view of the mercies of God" in the Gospel, one develops a "sober judgment" of oneself, not higher than one ought.

[Adapted from "Of the Dominion of Sin and Grace", John Owen, London 1688]

Be blessed!