What does the Bible teach about mortification?

Mortification, as instructed in Colossians 3:5-8, is an essential aspect of the Christian life where believers are called to put to death their earthly members, which include sinful behaviors like fornication, anger, and malice. This act of dying to one’s sin is crucial for growth in holiness and becoming more like Christ. It is not merely a negative action but requires the believer to actively engage in the process of spiritual renewal, putting on the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ. Thus, mortification is an active pursuit of holiness that is inseparable from the call to put on Christ-like attributes.