Why is it important for Christians to mortify the deeds of the body?

In Romans 8:12-13, Paul emphasizes that believers are debtors, not to the flesh but to the Spirit, urging them to mortify the deeds of the body. While true believers have eternal life, living according to the flesh can lead to a lack of fellowship with God. When Christians stray into sin, they experience what is known as backsliding, which disrupts their communion with God. Thus, the practice of mortification—the active pursuit of holiness and rejection of sinful behavior—ensures a close walk with God and is vital for experiencing the fullness of life in the Spirit.