Killing Sin Habits: Conquering Sin with Radical Faith

by Stuart W. Scott

The word “mortified” often implies shame or embarrassment. When it relates to the mortification of sin, it means much more than that. Certainly we should be ashamed or embarrassed by our sin, but Scripture teaches that we are to actively subdue our sin; and more radically, kill our sin habits. In this small volume, the authors compare our chronic fall into sin with the descending hours on a clock, demonstrating a repetitive and perfect pattern for sin. Both practical and challenging, this book demonstrates how God through the work of the Holy Spirit and radical faith can help you conquer sin in your life.

Genres: Counselling, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Nonfiction

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2013

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Stuart Scott is associate professor of Biblical Counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also a board member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

Reviews

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific, brief book that delivers on its subtitle: Conquering Sin with Radical Faith.

Stuart Scott provides 10 practical chapters that lead the reader through the biblical means of conquering habitual, difficult sins. Each chapter is suffused with Scripture. Scott's encouragements are not a "twelve-step plan" imposed on Scripture, but the genuine, biblically anchored, theological realities Christ calls us to in the matter of our warfare against fleshly lusts. Scott gives the reader ideas and guidance in the effective, practical use of the resources God has provided (the cross, the Word, the Holy Spirit, spiritual disciplines, the church, and fellow believers) for the mortification of sin.

I plan on using this with my counselees who wrestle with besetting sins, and I will use it myself in my own spiritual battles to defeat those aspects of my own life that dishonor Him.

Five stars. Highly recommended for believers.

[Owen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Definitely a resource to keep by and go through continuously in our battle against sin and pursuit of Christ-likeness. I read the Kindle version, but will buy an actual copy to mark-up and to have readily accessible.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. A modern day “The Mortification of Sin”. This should be read by every Christian that is seeking to kill their sin by the power of the Spirit. This book is well worth reading over and over again.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little book! Every Christian should read and would recommend for use in biblical counseling setting.

[Jordan Hilkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about Stuart Scott’s work is his emphasis on the gospel. He referred to the great John Owen many many times, a true hero of the faith with an emphasis on mortification of sin. I appreciated how applicable this book was and how short and to the point it was. A lot of these kinds of books ramble on and share too much personal story. The gospel was the center, and Scott kept it that way. The reason why I’m reframed from a 5 star rating is that as much as I adore John Owen, I wanted to read a Stuart Scott book. He referred to him so much that it almost felt like an essay on John Owens work. The originality lacked and creativity along with it. A lot of familiar text from familiar sources. Well worth the short read nonetheless

[Hopson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short little book on the practical outworking of mortification. Scott is clear, concise, and convictional in his instructions on putting sin to death. Strongly recommend this as a counseling tool for the struggler and as a personal aid in your own fight against sin.

For Tim Challies' 2016 Book Reading Challenge, this was the self-help book I read. (I realize that Dr. Scott would likely be mortified--yes, pun intended--if he knew I am categorizing this book in this way. Nevertheless, I would rather read a book like this than most of the garbage masquerading as self-help. Therefore, I'm bending the rules a little.) :-)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is packed with highly practical, encouraging, and thoroughly Biblical help for dealing with the sin in our lives!

[Blake Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, and would recommend it to anyone who is trying to get a better handle on sin and how they need to meditate on God’s Word to know God and fight sin.

[Chas Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Every serious Christian should read. It will equip you in your struggle against sin. Chas Morse

[P.J. Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and very helpful. A good book to come back to periodically.

[Joyce Rubina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such sobering book and has help me in mortifying my sins and agree on the Lord and His word. Praise God for this book!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

- throwing off that which hinders us in a true pursuit of Christ that leads to spiritual growth. but you can’t do it on your own; you are no match for your flesh. the lust cycle continues until we are ready to do whatever is necessary to change. change begins when we learn to value and delight in Christ supremely, and to appropriate the faith and resources God has given us. Even all your past failures can be useful. Every day, and at the time of every temptation, we should remember that this may be the day we see Him face to face, either by his return or by our death. Remembering that at any moment Christ may return, and hoping in the rest and joy of Christ and heaven, can affect your choices and make a great difference in mortifying your sin. The more you treasure the Gospel and all that is really means, the more it will affect your desires and you actions. Sincere confession and making an authentic turn back to Christ in faith should actually be a regular occurrence for the believer, because we sin often. It is crucial to remember that after you’ve sinned you can still glorify God. Will you choose to confess unbelief or a lack of trust and pursue being a person of faith? But don’t lose sight of the fact that your most important priority must be Christ Himself. You can’t lice the Christian life, from the inside out, without the Spirit of God empowering you. What am I worshiping and what truth fo I need to speak to my heart in faith? { this book had a ton insightful information for anyone who is seeking to walk more like Christ and to cut off worldly sin. A good read and to fully comprehend all that was in this book it should be read over and over again. Looking at it a second time I saw things I didn’t the first time reading it }

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful introduction to mortifying sin. Includes several beneficial lists but at times points could be combined to make some lists shorter. These lists can be overwhelming and strike one as a long “to do” list. Nevertheless, this little book packs a lot of wise counsel on killing sin. Great for discipling others or a small group or preparing a teaching series on mortifying sin.

I found his teaching outline a better summary on some chapters:

https://seminary.bju.edu/files/2019/0...

https://youtu.be/e-212Xe-Yqk?si=1NwNK...-

[Blue Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The only thing more worthy, more valuable and more satisfying than your sin is Him ... unless we see the surpassing value of Christ, and therefore see all else as rubbish or broken cisterns, we will worship something else.” - Stuart Scott
Very practical, almost a “light” version of John Owens’ “Mortification of Sin.”

[Jordan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day Mortification of Sin. Stuart Scott has packed years of counseling wisdom in this short read. I found the chapters on vivification especially helpful. A putting off of the old self simultaneously requires a putting on the new self; a good reminder to daily preach the gospel realities to myself.

[Luis Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cut the head of sin

This was a great book on how to fight sin. What I really enjoyed were the biblical truths that we should be applying and applications of fighting not sin. Got to the root of the problem and how to fight at its source. Highly recommended so we can continue to walking in the victory we already have in Christ.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I struggled to grasp some of the content in the early chapters but then the book takes a tactical turn around chapter 5 where it gets real practical. I found myself taking notes and highlighting on most pages from that point forward. I'll likely come back to this book many times in the future which is why I put it in the rare 5 star category.

[James Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has some very strangely formed sentences, I had to triple check the print date, because it doesn’t read like a book that dropped in 2013. It also feels like a lot of the analogies aren’t well woven into the book. Overall, I think a better editor would have been nice.

It also takes about half the book to get good, but they do make some good points.

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully short and helpful book that describes the ways to overcome sinful habits as a Christian. Although the principles within can be applied to any sin habit, this book is especially helpful to tackle sins like lust and addiction. Highly recommend. Short, simple, and convicting.

[Dr. Ferman Felder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

Love the book, as well as the scripture references. Need more books by Stuart Scott. We will definitely refer this book to believers and non-believers as well. Thank you.

[Ted Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defeating sin

This book Has many good ideas about how to defeat sin as a Christian. It's not automatically over with sin when you become a Christian. We still have a responsibility to work to live a Godly life even though it is God's grace that saves us.

[Jeff Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best, most biblical, and most practical books on conquering sin!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Applies Biblical sanctification

[Ben Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most helpful book on godliness I've read- short, practical and theologically weighty.

[Ross Hearne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief book, but valuable to each and every Christian walking through this life seeking to Glorify God in all that they do.

[John Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read and very helpful book on how to biblically kill sin habits. I appreciated the focus on killing sin through a relationship with God and his Word.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much "things YOU DO to be free of sin" and less "Jesus already did it for you."

[Michael A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on fighting sin that I have read

I read Owens works but they were a bit too difficult. This book is very readable and easily understood. I plan to read it again and note points that I
most need.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read guide on the practical mortification of sin, “respectable sin” or otherwise.
Packed with scriptural truth, practical application; compact and concise. I’ll revisit this one regularly and recommend it any reading Christian.

[James Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuart Scott gives a very practical guide to overcoming sin. This will be a great resource for biblical counselors or for any Christian to use in their fight against sin. I highly recommend this book to all Christians