The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Week 6: Chapter 6 — Putting Sin to Death
Read Chapter 6 of The Pursuit of Holiness. Primary Scripture: Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5.
Previewing Week 6 of The Pursuit of Holiness
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
This is one of the most sobering chapters in the book — Bridges calls believers to an aggressive, unrelenting posture toward sin. Come ready to take this personally.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.The chapter title comes from Romans 8:13 — 'put to death the deeds of the body.' That is violent language. Why do you think Paul (and Bridges) insist on that kind of language rather than softer alternatives like 'manage' or 'resist' or 'reduce'?
2.Bridges draws on John Owen's famous maxim: 'Be killing sin or it will be killing you.' How have you seen that dynamic play out — either the progressive weakening of a sin that is being actively mortified, or the progressive strengthening of a sin that is being tolerated?
3.Bridges identifies several ways we make peace with sin rather than putting it to death — rationalizing, comparing ourselves to others, minimizing its seriousness. Which of these tendencies do you recognize most in yourself?
a.What is the rationalization you most frequently use to make peace with a particular sin?
b.What would it look like to stop using that rationalization?