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Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin
The Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. One of the fiercest foes in this battle dwells within our own hearts: the enemy of indwelling sin. The Scriptures command us to put sin to death. This is what pastors and theologians of another generation called the mortificationof sin. But how do we mortify sin? And what role does the gospel play in this effort to apply lethal force against sin? How can we avoid falling into legalism while still maintaining a passion for holiness? And what kinds of strategies actually work in the daily battle? Brian Hedges answers these questions and more in this biblical and practical guide for waging war against sin in the power of the gospel and dependence on the Spirit.
114 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
39 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Brian G. Hedges
23 books108 followersBrian G. Hedges is the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles, Michigan and the author of multiple books including Christ Formed in You, Christ All Sufficient, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline, and With Jesus: Finding Your Place in the Story of Christ.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 17, 2014
The Cruciform Press books I have read have all been brief and readable, but still solid and helpful in the Christian life. One reviewer characterized this as a Cliff Notes version of John Owen's great work on mortification of sin. I have read Owen's work, and it needs a Cliff Notes version. This is not to say that Owen should not be read, but rather that this work by Hedges is a good introduction to Owen that also can stand alone for those who find Owen too daunting. We have a problem with sin, and this book helps us deal with that problem. For that we should be grateful, and ready to make use of it.
April 5, 2023
The type of book I want/need to read again before I even put it down.
April 18, 2014
Mortify your sin. That is likely a sentence most have not heard recently despite being a persistent point of emphasis by great Puritan authors such as John Owen. Mortifying sin involves putting to death the flesh so that the things of God may replace those earthly desires. Pastor and author Brian Hedges in his helpful and powerful book Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin, provides excellent insight into how the believer should deal with sin in their lives.
Hedges begins his book by helping the reader understand what and where to target. He rightly notes “That target is not merely bad behavior but the sinful desires of the heart that produce the behavior.” Dealing with sin involves getting down to the root cause of that sin instead of merely lopping off the head of the dandelion hoping the weeds will no longer grow. Mortifying sin necessitates the need to deprive that which so easily entangles us of its ability to grow and breed in our life. Hedges reminds the reader of the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 13:14, namely “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Ultimately, the goal of mortification of sin is a progressive movement towards holiness through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Hedges correctly states the important point that one “cannot mortify sin unless that sin has already been nailed to the cross of Christ” or as John Owen once stated, “the death of death in the death of Christ.”
Sin is dangerous and not to be trifled with. Thus, the believer must understand that we are to engage in the battle against sin at all times. There should be no toleration of sin in our hearts. Hedges reminds the reader that such an approach is completely opposite of the current cultural mindset towards wrong behavior. This is because “sin portrays itself as something other than what it really is…sin is dehumanizing.” Dealing with sin in our lives will involve some rather drastic measures and Hedges reminds the reader that Jesus even utilized “hyperbole as a call for literal self-mutilation” when Jesus stated it would be better to only have one eye and enter eternal life than have two eyes and be subject to everlasting damnation. Also noted by Hedges is the necessity to mortify sin “in all areas of our lives, not just some areas.” This calls for a complete examination of our lives on a constant basis.
Furthermore, it is imperative for the believer to understand how sin operates and how it entices the individual to pursue the path of unrighteousness. As noted earlier by Hedges, sin is deceitful, requiring the believer to be fully cognizant of how sin deceives the mind, entices the affections, and how it desires to conquer the will. The process of mortification involves what Hedges describes as soul surgery and this surgery is accomplished by that which pierces to the joints and marrow of our very soul, namely the Word of God. Hedges does an excellent job of orienting the reader to Scripture as the place by which we can better understand who we are and more importantly, who God is, what he calls a “right view of God” in order to do “exploratory soul surgery.”
Mortifying sin also involves understanding that dealing with sin starts with Christ and his work on the cross. Hedges elaborates on that important point, noting that the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1-3 reminds the believer to “exult in the supremacy of Christ over all things and the sufficiency of Christ alone to give us all that we need.” Also, Paul calls us “to remember our position in Christ…highlighting our union with Christ and reminding us that in him we have a new history, total security, and a glorious destiny.” The cross of Christ dealt a death blow to sin which is something we should rejoice in. Hedges states that “Sin’s death is like a crucifision: slow, gradual, painful, and eventually final.” This means we will spend a lifetime dealing with sin knowing that the effort to deal with sin will lead us to a closer relationship with Christ as we look forward to that day when sin and death will be no more, that place of total and final sanctification.
Licensed to Kill reminded me in many ways of the works of John Owen and that is no surprise given that Hedges notes in the final pages of his book that he gleaned much of the insights that went into this book from the writings of John Owen. With that said, this book is truly an excellent handbook and field manual as it is self-described for dealing with sin in our lives. Battling sin is the responsibility of all believers. We must look at sin as something grotesque because it truly is just that. I highly recommend this book for all believers. Take the truths shared by Hedges to heart, implement the strategies he shares in your life, and do battle with sin leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life to the glory of God.
Hedges begins his book by helping the reader understand what and where to target. He rightly notes “That target is not merely bad behavior but the sinful desires of the heart that produce the behavior.” Dealing with sin involves getting down to the root cause of that sin instead of merely lopping off the head of the dandelion hoping the weeds will no longer grow. Mortifying sin necessitates the need to deprive that which so easily entangles us of its ability to grow and breed in our life. Hedges reminds the reader of the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 13:14, namely “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Ultimately, the goal of mortification of sin is a progressive movement towards holiness through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Hedges correctly states the important point that one “cannot mortify sin unless that sin has already been nailed to the cross of Christ” or as John Owen once stated, “the death of death in the death of Christ.”
Sin is dangerous and not to be trifled with. Thus, the believer must understand that we are to engage in the battle against sin at all times. There should be no toleration of sin in our hearts. Hedges reminds the reader that such an approach is completely opposite of the current cultural mindset towards wrong behavior. This is because “sin portrays itself as something other than what it really is…sin is dehumanizing.” Dealing with sin in our lives will involve some rather drastic measures and Hedges reminds the reader that Jesus even utilized “hyperbole as a call for literal self-mutilation” when Jesus stated it would be better to only have one eye and enter eternal life than have two eyes and be subject to everlasting damnation. Also noted by Hedges is the necessity to mortify sin “in all areas of our lives, not just some areas.” This calls for a complete examination of our lives on a constant basis.
Furthermore, it is imperative for the believer to understand how sin operates and how it entices the individual to pursue the path of unrighteousness. As noted earlier by Hedges, sin is deceitful, requiring the believer to be fully cognizant of how sin deceives the mind, entices the affections, and how it desires to conquer the will. The process of mortification involves what Hedges describes as soul surgery and this surgery is accomplished by that which pierces to the joints and marrow of our very soul, namely the Word of God. Hedges does an excellent job of orienting the reader to Scripture as the place by which we can better understand who we are and more importantly, who God is, what he calls a “right view of God” in order to do “exploratory soul surgery.”
Mortifying sin also involves understanding that dealing with sin starts with Christ and his work on the cross. Hedges elaborates on that important point, noting that the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1-3 reminds the believer to “exult in the supremacy of Christ over all things and the sufficiency of Christ alone to give us all that we need.” Also, Paul calls us “to remember our position in Christ…highlighting our union with Christ and reminding us that in him we have a new history, total security, and a glorious destiny.” The cross of Christ dealt a death blow to sin which is something we should rejoice in. Hedges states that “Sin’s death is like a crucifision: slow, gradual, painful, and eventually final.” This means we will spend a lifetime dealing with sin knowing that the effort to deal with sin will lead us to a closer relationship with Christ as we look forward to that day when sin and death will be no more, that place of total and final sanctification.
Licensed to Kill reminded me in many ways of the works of John Owen and that is no surprise given that Hedges notes in the final pages of his book that he gleaned much of the insights that went into this book from the writings of John Owen. With that said, this book is truly an excellent handbook and field manual as it is self-described for dealing with sin in our lives. Battling sin is the responsibility of all believers. We must look at sin as something grotesque because it truly is just that. I highly recommend this book for all believers. Take the truths shared by Hedges to heart, implement the strategies he shares in your life, and do battle with sin leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life to the glory of God.
December 7, 2019
Cruciform Press is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. These little books, usually around 110 pages, are packed full of Gospel truth and clear and practical application. The latest book published by Cruciform Press is Licensed to Kill-A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin by Brian Hedges. There have not been many modern books that have kept me riveted as PM rolled into AM but this little book by Hedges definitely did the trick.
This is not an extensive book. At 117 pages and a generous font size, this book is easily digested in one sitting. The author’s tone and wit also aid in a rapid pace of reading, allowing the reader to genuinely fly through this book. Be careful however, as you fly through this book you will be consistently struck with Gospel-drenched, sin-hating truth that confronts, convicts, and encourages you to make a more concerted and genuine effort to fill your life with the “holy violence” of slaughtering your indwelling, God-hating sin.
A highlight of this text is the immensely practical nature of the whole book. Even when dealing with theological abstracts, it still has a feel of a “field manual”, only dealing with the “why-for’s” to better equip for the “how-to’s”. Normally, I would not like this. In all subjects, especially Scripture, I enjoy the abstract. I do not know if it is Hedges’ writing style or the subject manner or a combination of both, but this text spent a good amount of time in practical issues and I enjoyed it immensely.
I do not believe it would be an overstatement (or a slight) to call this John Owen-light. The author constantly goes back to Owen and concludes the text with an encouragement to engage oneself in the writings of Owen that so greatly influenced him. Owen is a difficult read, even when compared with other Puritan authors, but the treasures found in his writings are vast. This book does an excellent job of whetting the appetite for Owen while mining much of the Gospel truth found in Owen’s writings. In doing so, it makes Owen’s writings much more accessible to the modern reader.
This book does two things, and it does them quite well. First, it introduces the writings of John Owen on mortification in a manner that will entice many to make the leap into the mind and writings of this Puritan great. Secondly, and so much more importantly, this book will encourage many, myself included, to engage in the act of mortifying sin in a much more active and victorious manner. For 117 pages you cannot really ask for more!
This is not an extensive book. At 117 pages and a generous font size, this book is easily digested in one sitting. The author’s tone and wit also aid in a rapid pace of reading, allowing the reader to genuinely fly through this book. Be careful however, as you fly through this book you will be consistently struck with Gospel-drenched, sin-hating truth that confronts, convicts, and encourages you to make a more concerted and genuine effort to fill your life with the “holy violence” of slaughtering your indwelling, God-hating sin.
A highlight of this text is the immensely practical nature of the whole book. Even when dealing with theological abstracts, it still has a feel of a “field manual”, only dealing with the “why-for’s” to better equip for the “how-to’s”. Normally, I would not like this. In all subjects, especially Scripture, I enjoy the abstract. I do not know if it is Hedges’ writing style or the subject manner or a combination of both, but this text spent a good amount of time in practical issues and I enjoyed it immensely.
I do not believe it would be an overstatement (or a slight) to call this John Owen-light. The author constantly goes back to Owen and concludes the text with an encouragement to engage oneself in the writings of Owen that so greatly influenced him. Owen is a difficult read, even when compared with other Puritan authors, but the treasures found in his writings are vast. This book does an excellent job of whetting the appetite for Owen while mining much of the Gospel truth found in Owen’s writings. In doing so, it makes Owen’s writings much more accessible to the modern reader.
This book does two things, and it does them quite well. First, it introduces the writings of John Owen on mortification in a manner that will entice many to make the leap into the mind and writings of this Puritan great. Secondly, and so much more importantly, this book will encourage many, myself included, to engage in the act of mortifying sin in a much more active and victorious manner. For 117 pages you cannot really ask for more!
July 19, 2011
We have a problem and it is sin. To make it more personal, I have a problem and it is sin. Do I know the dangers of sin or do I just say I do. Do I like to follow the rules or do I forsake my sins to know the sweetnes of Jesus' grace, Do I understand grace in light of sin? Do I understand that sin's death is like a crucifixion; slow, gradual, painful and eventually final. Do I know that a crucified life is a life of faith. Do I know the doctrine of sin? Some of these are personal questions that we all have to answer, address and live our life free from sin. Jesus not only forgives of our sin but he also frees us from sin. We cannot be passive about sin. Sin seeks to destroy. With sin, we have to have a mindset of Kill or be killed. This book gives you a gospel, Christ centered, cross exalting and Holy Spirit friendly approach to sin. None of us are free from it. It is not dealing with behaviour problems but heart problems. How do I deal with my deceitful heart. How do I strengthen the things (like pride, bitterness, to name a few) that are deep in the heart and replace with with humility, goodness, just to name a few. To learn to the practical power of replacing sin with grace. Knowing the Supremacy of Christ and the sufficienty of Christ alone to give us what we need.
September 7, 2011
Back in 1656, Puritan author John Owen wrote a gospel-saturated attack on human depravity called The Mortification of Sin. Over three centuries later, Brian Hedges has written a book that echoes the heart of John Owen to a modern generation.
Like a surgical strike, Licensed to Kill outlines the powerful barrage available against indwelling sin in the life of the believer. With succinct chapters and "Examine and Apply" questions, this book perfectly fits its subtitle as a field manual for mortifying sin:
"It is in the nature of sin to pursue its course little by little, to the very end. Every intentional indulgence of lust would become adultery if it could."
Destined to draw comparisons to Owen's The Mortification of Sin, Hedges wears his influences on his sleeve quoting Owen early and often (yes, even the mandatory Owen quote: "Be killing sin or it will be killing you"). This, however, is not a criticism of the book. It reads like a fresh, modern repackaging for a generation that doesn't have a Puritan patience.
This little book may very well be "The Art of Spiritual War" for the modern Christian. Highly recommended. (Oh, and before anyone gets too impressed, The Mortification of Sin is the only book by Owen I've read.)
Like a surgical strike, Licensed to Kill outlines the powerful barrage available against indwelling sin in the life of the believer. With succinct chapters and "Examine and Apply" questions, this book perfectly fits its subtitle as a field manual for mortifying sin:
"It is in the nature of sin to pursue its course little by little, to the very end. Every intentional indulgence of lust would become adultery if it could."
Destined to draw comparisons to Owen's The Mortification of Sin, Hedges wears his influences on his sleeve quoting Owen early and often (yes, even the mandatory Owen quote: "Be killing sin or it will be killing you"). This, however, is not a criticism of the book. It reads like a fresh, modern repackaging for a generation that doesn't have a Puritan patience.
This little book may very well be "The Art of Spiritual War" for the modern Christian. Highly recommended. (Oh, and before anyone gets too impressed, The Mortification of Sin is the only book by Owen I've read.)
September 20, 2011
After reading Hedges' book on the Christian life as a whole (Christ Formed in You: The Power of the Gospel for Personal Change), I was very interested in learning about his new book that expands a little bit further into the area of killing sin in your life. This really isn't a topic that is discussed much in Christian literature these days, and it was good to see a contemporary, manageable work on the topic.
In the same approach from his earlier book, this book too is saturated with Scripture and the Biblical doctrine that killing sin in your life is not done through you or your self-effort, but through (and only through) faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit (p. 16). Hedges explores the concept of sin, the necessity that it be killed as a discipline in the Christian life, the role the gospel has in that discipline, and practical application throughout. Truly a great book on the subject.
What is really great about Brian Hedges is that he not only knows the Scripture really well and brings that out in a pastoral, applicable way (an absolute must!), but he also is very able in drawing from the great theologians of the past (e.g. John Owen, John Calvin, Octavius Winslow, Charles Spurgeon, etc.) as well as contemporary culture (e.g. Star Wars, The X-Files, rock-climbing, etc) and using either or both sources in a conversational way of getting his message across. And the beauty of it all is that his message is always Scriptural.
While I'm really not sure how receptive the Christian market will be to a book about killing sin in your daily walk (especially one titled "Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin"), my anticipation is that anyone who does read it (with maybe at least one caveat)* will be blessed. And to be clear, Brian does explain the word, the concept, and the Biblical doctrine of mortification in the book. My only fear is that because of the state of the church in the U.S. right now, people are not really interested in a book about killing sin in your life. But I'm still grateful there's at least one good contemporary resource out there on the topic. And by God's grace, maybe it will be sought after in increasing numbers!
Either way, Brian did it again! And for that the Christian community can be thankful once again to our Savior for raising up and maintaining another great shepherd he installed over his sheep!
*Some of the imagery in this book is very graphic (e.g. the way a man survives a climbing accident and some others). While I get that and understand the Bible also has graphic depictions of events, some of today's modern (more squeamish) readers might not be able to handle (or even expect) this kind of imagery in a book on the Christian life. So if you can't listen to certain stories in the newspapers about war or violence, or if you can't even watch certain movies - while the message in this book is great, the way it's presented in this book is not for you.
In the same approach from his earlier book, this book too is saturated with Scripture and the Biblical doctrine that killing sin in your life is not done through you or your self-effort, but through (and only through) faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit (p. 16). Hedges explores the concept of sin, the necessity that it be killed as a discipline in the Christian life, the role the gospel has in that discipline, and practical application throughout. Truly a great book on the subject.
What is really great about Brian Hedges is that he not only knows the Scripture really well and brings that out in a pastoral, applicable way (an absolute must!), but he also is very able in drawing from the great theologians of the past (e.g. John Owen, John Calvin, Octavius Winslow, Charles Spurgeon, etc.) as well as contemporary culture (e.g. Star Wars, The X-Files, rock-climbing, etc) and using either or both sources in a conversational way of getting his message across. And the beauty of it all is that his message is always Scriptural.
While I'm really not sure how receptive the Christian market will be to a book about killing sin in your daily walk (especially one titled "Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin"), my anticipation is that anyone who does read it (with maybe at least one caveat)* will be blessed. And to be clear, Brian does explain the word, the concept, and the Biblical doctrine of mortification in the book. My only fear is that because of the state of the church in the U.S. right now, people are not really interested in a book about killing sin in your life. But I'm still grateful there's at least one good contemporary resource out there on the topic. And by God's grace, maybe it will be sought after in increasing numbers!
Either way, Brian did it again! And for that the Christian community can be thankful once again to our Savior for raising up and maintaining another great shepherd he installed over his sheep!
*Some of the imagery in this book is very graphic (e.g. the way a man survives a climbing accident and some others). While I get that and understand the Bible also has graphic depictions of events, some of today's modern (more squeamish) readers might not be able to handle (or even expect) this kind of imagery in a book on the Christian life. So if you can't listen to certain stories in the newspapers about war or violence, or if you can't even watch certain movies - while the message in this book is great, the way it's presented in this book is not for you.
February 11, 2013
Brian Hedges has written a good, practical book on mortifying sin. He strikes a pretty good balance between resting in Christ and yet growing in sanctification. I especially enjoyed the section on replacing sins with graces. Too often I merely try to stop doing things, but do not replace the sins with its opposite virtue. Hedges made me think more carefully about doing right and not just trying to stop sinning.
I also appreciated his emphasis on reading God's Word and prayer. It is easy to believe that the reading the Scriptures and prayer are insufficient foundations for dealing with sin. But he rightly points out that we will never adequately deal with sin if we are not doing these two things.
The questions at the end of each chapter were helpful as well.
I would recommend this book for someone looking for a basic primer on sin and how to deal with it. There are a lot of gaps because the book is only 100 pages. It does not go in-depth but it will get the reader headed in the right direction.
The book also made me want to look more carefully at Romans 7:14-25.
I also appreciated his emphasis on reading God's Word and prayer. It is easy to believe that the reading the Scriptures and prayer are insufficient foundations for dealing with sin. But he rightly points out that we will never adequately deal with sin if we are not doing these two things.
The questions at the end of each chapter were helpful as well.
I would recommend this book for someone looking for a basic primer on sin and how to deal with it. There are a lot of gaps because the book is only 100 pages. It does not go in-depth but it will get the reader headed in the right direction.
The book also made me want to look more carefully at Romans 7:14-25.
March 4, 2021
“The goal of mortification is a life of genuine holiness that results from the gradual weakening of sin’s influence in our hearts and lives.”
📚
This book by Brian Hedges, “Licensed To Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin” is a helpful resource as we continue to grow in our identity in Christ, through which we are saved by grace, and the progressing sanctification as we live, act and believe until He makes all things new again.
🌱
Hedges walks us through the gravity of sin in our life, it’s nature and impact on our souls, the power of the gospel and grace, and how the Spirit continues to supply grace in our pursuit of holiness.
🗡
This book helped me to fix my eyes on who God is, as both a holy God and a gracious God, and to grow in working out my salvation with fear and trembling. There’s a deep longing for holiness, that comes out of my perfectionist tendencies, but the truth that as I spend time in the Word weakens the grip of sin over my life was an encouragement in the midst of a weighty topic.
⭐️It’s just over 100 pages, not a long read. 5 stars from me!
📚
This book by Brian Hedges, “Licensed To Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin” is a helpful resource as we continue to grow in our identity in Christ, through which we are saved by grace, and the progressing sanctification as we live, act and believe until He makes all things new again.
🌱
Hedges walks us through the gravity of sin in our life, it’s nature and impact on our souls, the power of the gospel and grace, and how the Spirit continues to supply grace in our pursuit of holiness.
🗡
This book helped me to fix my eyes on who God is, as both a holy God and a gracious God, and to grow in working out my salvation with fear and trembling. There’s a deep longing for holiness, that comes out of my perfectionist tendencies, but the truth that as I spend time in the Word weakens the grip of sin over my life was an encouragement in the midst of a weighty topic.
⭐️It’s just over 100 pages, not a long read. 5 stars from me!
December 30, 2013
Sin is not to be played with, but rather rooted out and exterminated. To that end, Hedges has designed a brief introduction to the devious nature of sin, the warfare we must wage against it, and the power God supplies His people to achieve victory. Basing his work largely on John Owen’s Mortification of Sin, Hedges modernizes and segments this study into bite-sized chapters that make this oft-neglected topic all the more approachable. A helpful work.
August 3, 2013
This is a cliff notes version of John Owen's "Mortification of Sin". Although there's really no substitute for the real thing (which I have yet to read in it's entirety) Brian does an adequate job of leading you through the process of mortifying sin. If Owen's work is too thick and dense then this book is a good primer on the subject of mortification.
October 21, 2013
I am currently reading this book and a chapter each week, so that I can be praying for the Youth in our church that is reading this book each chapter each week. So far, this is a great book to read and educational too. I have already read The Mortification of Sin by John Owen in the Puritan Paperbacks edition.
We all do need to be praying for our youth in our church family.
We all do need to be praying for our youth in our church family.
February 28, 2016
Very practical and gospel-centered. I read this book in preparation for a sermon series. Great content. I felt like this was a more easily accessible "21st Century version" of John Owen’s Mortification of Sin. Recommended.
August 1, 2013
Challenging and encouraging. Don't let the "thinness" of the book make you think there is not much content here. It's pretty "thick" in the depth of the content.
November 11, 2011
Another excellent little title from Cruciform. Very good!
June 29, 2014
Great little book on mortification of sin
April 1, 2018
An excellent book on the importance, method, and practice of the mortification of sin. This is an excellent introductory work on the topic and will serve churches and Christians in their study of this important discipline.
August 21, 2024
This book is awesome!! It's so easy to read, biblical, and very Gospel-centered. This is one of the best examples (in print) of demonstrating Gospel-centeredness in action. The Christ connections were regularly and edifying. I will be using the work often.
December 21, 2025
3.5/5 stars. Short, pithy, solid material. Immensely practical and helpful food for thought. I’m rating it slightly lower as it is a repeat of many things I’ve already read/heard and it draws a little too heavily from John Owen’s works in my opinion.
January 3, 2020
A short, very precise book about killing the sin within. Found it to be a very good read and helpful.
January 17, 2022
An excellent little primer on putting sin to death in the Christian life!
December 31, 2022
Literally so good. This could/should probably become an annual read. It’s definitely one that you read in small increments and dwell on.
October 30, 2016
Clear. Practical. Concise. Great entry point into the subject or into Owen.
January 21, 2013
The point of this book is to point us to spiritual transformation rather than moral improvement. Moral uprightness, which is a good thing, is not what should be addressed in a believer's life. As a believer I can put on a good moral exterior and still have a filthy heart. Rather, we should be addressing the corruption that sin has caused and seek to root it out in its basest form. If we kill sin at the root it is destroyed. If we try to prune the wild branches by adhering to moral improvement only, then we have not fully addressed our core problem.
A major problem today is that many professing Christians don't take sin seriously enough: "Too many of us underrate the power and malignancy of indwelling sin and try to make a little war. We don't see sin the way God sees sin. If we did, we would find it repulsive and repugnant, and we would fight it with all our strength."
In chapter 3 we find this, "Something inside me hates God... There is something in me that is anti-God, opposed to him in thought and intention, rebellious to the core," he writes. "Something in me hates God even while I love him. I'm at war with myself"
This would be a very good book for small group and/or a Sunday School class.
A major problem today is that many professing Christians don't take sin seriously enough: "Too many of us underrate the power and malignancy of indwelling sin and try to make a little war. We don't see sin the way God sees sin. If we did, we would find it repulsive and repugnant, and we would fight it with all our strength."
In chapter 3 we find this, "Something inside me hates God... There is something in me that is anti-God, opposed to him in thought and intention, rebellious to the core," he writes. "Something in me hates God even while I love him. I'm at war with myself"
This would be a very good book for small group and/or a Sunday School class.
December 5, 2015
Heart Surgery
Good stuff here. As Hedges points out if we saw our sin as God does we would be as repulsed as God is and work harder at killing it. Yet this is not a book about behavior modification and try harder stuff. This is a book about surgery, about cutting out the source and seeing lasting change. To Hedge's credit he reminds us this is difficult but well worth it and possible. Hedges encourages is that God has provided the instruments necessary for this surgery. Grace, gospel, the Holy Spirit, communion with God through His word and prayer. Read this book. Use the examine and app!y sections. Allow the grace of God to perform surgery and bring health good life.
Good stuff here. As Hedges points out if we saw our sin as God does we would be as repulsed as God is and work harder at killing it. Yet this is not a book about behavior modification and try harder stuff. This is a book about surgery, about cutting out the source and seeing lasting change. To Hedge's credit he reminds us this is difficult but well worth it and possible. Hedges encourages is that God has provided the instruments necessary for this surgery. Grace, gospel, the Holy Spirit, communion with God through His word and prayer. Read this book. Use the examine and app!y sections. Allow the grace of God to perform surgery and bring health good life.
January 27, 2016
This is a wonderful book about the mortification (killing) of sin. If I were to use the number of characters I am permitted for this review I would almost be equal to half the book itself. It is a simple yet strongly impacting book. If you struggle with sin you will find a biblical answer to your plight as well as very good direction for your daily walk and how to respond to Christ in light of your sin.
January 21, 2015
Very practical and Gospel-saturated. Like that it's about mortifying sin generally, by only focused on one or two things specifically. A book that winsomely expressed my stance exactly on mortification (at least up to this point).
February 19, 2016
Helpful and simple.
February 17, 2015
Concise, helpful and practical. Considering reading it again.
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