Bible Reading: 2 Chron. 11; Col 3:1-13
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5 (KJV).
Mortifying means subduing the body by self denial or discipline. As Christians, you are expected to discipline yourself against fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication.
As a child of God, you are expected to be dead to the world and only alive in Christ.
However it is often difficult to physically deny your flesh of all the sinful actions but there is a way out! It is to rely on the Holy Spirit to help you overcome the various temptations that may come ur way. The scripture says in Colossians 3:5 (KJV)
[5], Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
How do you deny yourself of these fleshly desires?
Firstly, you need to give yourself to daily study of the word of God as well as meditating over them. The more of God’s word you fill your heart with, the easier it is for you to recollect those that fit various situation that you may face any day. Joshua 1:8 (KJV) says, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Consequently, whenever any evil thought comes to your mind, you begin to recollect the word of God relevant to that situation and speak it or sing a relevant song or recollect a relevant passage of psalms or hymn. It is better to dismiss the thoughts at this stage, otherwise if you keep ruminating over it, it develops into emotion which may lead to the action.
There are, however, some circumstances that you will need to move away from the environment where your continuous stay there will keep bringing the evil thought into your mind. For example; if you are alone with the opposite sex that you are attracted to or is attracted to you, you need to leave that environment quickly. 1 Corinthians 6:18 7 (KJV), “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
This is a command of the Lord, you are to run away from any compromising situation that could lead to fornication or adultery.
Action Point: Examine yourself to ascertain if there is any current situation that may cause you to commit sin and take immediate action to stop it.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero