1For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3if indeed being clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences. 12For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died. 15He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
16Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 18But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
In Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5 the apostle Paul commands believers to “mortify” or “put to death the misdeeds of the flesh.” Used figuratively, “put to death” means to execute, to make die, to render extinct sinful desires and fleshly appetites. Mortification, which is different from the acknowledgement of sinful deeds (1 John 1:9) is necessary because it focuses on weakening, breaking, and eliminating sinful desires, actions, and habits. Romans 8:13 makes it clear that it is our responsibility to execute the misdeeds of the body. The verb “put to death” is present tense implying continuous action in moment-by-moment Christian living. Notwithstanding, we must be dependent upon the Holy Spirit, for self-discipline alone is insufficient. The Greek tense of the command in Colossians 3:5 “Put to death” entails decisive action.
Therefore, we must refuse to yield to a particular temptation, for every time we give ourselves to it, the stronger the sin will become as it takes hold of our lives. When faced with a particular temptation, consider the (1) dangerous consequences which may follow such as personal guilt, regret, ruined testimony, pain and harm in the lives of others, and grieving (Eph 4:30) and smothering the Holy Spirit’s ministry (1 Thess 5:19), (2) God’s goodness, (3) future judgment of eternal rewards (cf. 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:9-10; 2 John 8), (4) the majestic beauty of God, (5) the wonder of Calvary, and (6) God’s potential chastisement. (7) Remember sin corrupts, distorts, and changes who we are; (8) Immediately flee from the temptation to sin; (9) Go to the source of the sin seriously probing why we are attracted to this particular sin; (10) think right thoughts; (11) diligently practice noble deeds; (12) prayer; (13) submit ourselves to transparent accountability (James 5:16); (14) Trust God.