Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin

The title of this book is an obvious reference to one of the James Bond movies.Not only has our Lord given His people a license to kill but they are commanded to do so.Whereas James Bond has been trained to kill enemies of the United States Of America,believers are to mortify(to kill)sin,in their own hearts and lives.Some may think that sin is a natural part of man's existence,after all,no one is perfect,we all have shortcomings in some areas.Man was not created in a sinful state,he brought it upon himself by rebelling against his benevolent Creator.No,man was created in his makers image and sin has deformed that image.-"The less we bear the image of God due to the presence of sin,the less human we really are." Man's history bears this out,where Christianity has had little or no influence,mans treatment of his fellow man has been savage and brutal(like animals who do not reflect 'The Image Of God').The chapter entitled 'The Monster Within' is brutally honest,but it is truth which God has revealed,and the closer one 'Walks With The Lord' the greater will be their consciousness of this truth.-"There is something in me that is anti-God,opposed to Him in thought and intention...".This is true of every believer,in the Lord Jesus Christ,both past and present.Romans 7:18a 'For I know that in me(that is,in my flesh)dwelleth no good thing...'.To any that deny this,and there are those who have,'if they speak not according to the law and the testimony,it is because there is no light in them.'In the chapter 'With Murderous Intent' Mr.Hedges traces the process of how sin entices the affections.What we love and what we hate,play a big role in what we actually do,so it is helpful to keep in mind the ultimate aim of the enemies of our souls-DEATH.-"This unholy trinity of world,flesh and devil collude with one purpose in mind :death."The author is obviously familiar with John Owen's standard works on Sin and Temptation.He brings a fresh rendering of these important truths,with some excellent illustrations,that many should be able to relate to.A very helpful book for those who are pursuing 'that holiness without which no one shall see the Lord'.

For those who have never slugged through John Owen's "The Mortification of Sin", this is an excellent, to-the-point 21st-century "field manual" on putting sin to death in the Christian's life. (If you *have* read "The Mortification of Sin" or some of Owen's other works, Hedges quotes Owen throughout the book, and you'll be covering much familiar ground -- except it won't be in Owen's lingo ;-)Hedges helps us focus on the "root and motivation" of sin, targeting our heart rather than our actions: "The only way to kill sin is to mortify the roots of sin in the motives, desires, and drives of the heart." (p. 13)The reason we need to do this is because, even after we are redeemed by Christ, we still have "an inward disposition to sin, a disposition that itself is sinful." (p. 35) Or to put it another way, "the bondage to sin is broken, but the conflict with sin continues." (p. 37)But a major problem today is that many professing Christians don't take sin seriously enough (myself included, I'm afraid): "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." (p. 93)And we have to remember that this is not something we can do in our own power (though we are active participants in the process): "the only way to put sin to death is through the transforming power of the gospel as we fill our minds and hearts with the cross of Christ and cooperate with the work of the Spirit." (p. 93) Also, Hedges does not just analyze the problem -- he offers solid, biblically-based "weapons of war" that we can employ (chapter 9).Finally, the "Examine and Apply" questions at the end make this an excellent resource for a small group study. And the questions do not simply assume that the reader is a true believer (especially those at the end of chapter 1), so this book is useful for gospel outreach as well.I recommend this book to every Christian. Or rather, every *true* Christian who is serious about being obedient to Christ. (If you claim to be a Christian but don't care about mortifying sin in your life, I implore you to read 1 John 2:3-6, to take it to heart, and to re-examine your claim.) I'm putting it next on the list for my teenage son to read along with me (I'm going to read it a second time) -- right after we finish Piper's "Don't Waste Your 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.

This is a smaller book, but at the same time it is packed with big truths. I consider this the condense book by John Owen on Mortifying Sin. If you want a quick overview on killing your son than pick this up today!

Wonderful because it reminds us of the greatness of the gospel, which includes not only the forgiveness of sin, but the reality that we're no longer slaves to sin, and thus, licensed to kill sin, or mortify sin as the Puritans said, in our lives. Convicting, because it reminds me of the reality of sin still infecting my life, and the constant need to make a daily habit of "killing my old man" (great title from an old Petra song).

This book has been a true blessing for me. Reading about practical ways of killing sin and understanding John Owen's approach to sin mortification without being a theologian has been very rewarding for me. Very deep in the subject nevertheless quite easy to digest. I am using what I am learning to explain to my children and high school students the basics of sin mortification. Every parent, every teenager and every teacher should read this book.

Excellent Book on really understanding ourselves in relation to Sin.

rather disappointed with the book. science fiction mentioned too many times. preferred the mortification of sin by john owen .

Simply amazing! If you want a deep, well thought out Biblical book on fighting sin, that is also practical and applicable, and easy to understand and not too long, then this is your book. I'm a pastor and have read other books on the subject, such as Owen's Mortification of Sin, but was looking for something that would be a good refresher for me, and something much more accessible that I could recommend to others, and this book as been perfect for that. Highly recommended.