Day 9: John Owen - “Putting Sin to Death”
“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Introduction
John Owen lived in a loud and unsettled time, when public life, church life, and personal life all carried real pressure. But what made his writing endure wasn’t only his intellect - but his refusal to treat sin lightly. Owen understood that discipleship is not only learning new truths; it is learning war. Not a war against people, but against the sin that clings to us and quietly steals our lives.
Owen wasn’t trying to discourage Christians with his weighty words, but rather, his desire was to awaken Christians who take Jesus seriously enough to take their sins seriously as well.
Putting Sin to Death
Sin is not a harmless habit that we can manage. It is a living problem that grows when it is fed and strengthens when it is ignored. Owens warned believers not to be surprised when our joy dries up and our spiritual senses dull after we have excused, renamed, and hidden our sins… Sin always promises relief, but later it collects a heavier payment.
Romans 8:13 makes Owen’s emphasis clear: this isn’t about self-improvement. It’s relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to put sin to death in our lives. It’s not about gritting our teeth but about bringing sin into the light before God— calling it what it is, refusing its lies, and leaning on the Holy Spirit for real change. And this is possible not because God is waiting to crush us, but because God is fully committed to giving us life.
Reflection
What is a sin that you’ve learned to tolerate— something you’ve stopped fighting because it feels normal, private, or too stubborn to change? Name it plainly before the Lord today, and ask the Holy Spirit for specific help. Maybe you need clarity to see its dangers, maybe you need courage to cut it out of your life. Or maybe you need faith to believe that God’s desire is truly to give you life and freedom. Then, after you pray, make a decision that matches your prayer — a boundary, a confession, or a change in routine — to experience the joy of repentance.