The Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. One of the fiercest foes in this battle dwells within our own hearts: the enemy of indwelling sin. The Scriptures command us to “put sin to death.” This is what pastors and theologians of another generation called the “mortification” of sin. But how do we mortify sin? And what role does the gospel play in this effort to apply lethal force against sin? How can we avoid falling into legalism while still maintaining a passion for holiness? And what kinds of strategies actually work in the daily battle? Brian Hedges answers these questions and more in this biblical and practical guide for waging war against sin in the power of the gospel and dependence on the Spirit.
"Are there things you hate that you end up doing anyway? Have you tried to stop sinning in certain areas of your life, only to face defeat over and over again? If you're ready to get serious about sin patterns in your life - ready to put sin to death instead of trying to manage it - this book outlines the only strategy that works. This is a book I will return to and regularly recommend to others."
Bob Lepine, Co-Host, FamilyLife Today
"Sanctification is a grueling process. But it's NOT the process of moving beyond the reality of our justification but rather moving deeper into the reality of our justification. This is why when Jesus was asked in John 6:28, 'What must we do to be doing the works of God?' he answered, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him who he sent.' Jesus was getting at the root of the problem because justification alone kills all of our self-salvation projects that fuel all of our bad behavior and moral failures. Brian Hedges shows the importance of fighting the sin that so easily entangles us and robs us of our freedom by fleeing to the finished work of Christ every day. Well done!"
Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and author of Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels
"Brian Hedges hasn't written a book for our recreational pleasure, but a 'field manual' to assist us in our battle against sin. Rather than aiming at simple moral reformation,
Licensed to Kill aims at our spiritual transformation in this fight by addressing the 'drives and desires of our hearts.' Like any good field manual, this is a small volume that focuses on the most critical information regarding our enemy, and gives practical instruction concerning the stalking and killing of sin. This is a theologically solid and helpfully illustrated book that not only warns of sin's danger, but also holds out the gospel confidence of sin's ultimate demise."
Joe Thorn, author, Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself, Lead Pastor, Redeemer Fellowship, Saint Charles, IL
"Are you ready for a serious fight to the death? My friend Brian Hedges goes for the jugular by dusting off a near antique word (and worse, a scarcely-used yet lethal weapon): mortification. Are Christ-followers really licensed to kill? Read this 'field-manual' and you will discover that you have a monstrous and aggressive antagonist who is aiming to annihilate you. It's your duty to fight back! Brian has given us a faithful, smart, Word-centered guide to help us identify and form a battle plan for mortally wounding the enemy of indwelling sin."
Wes Ward, Senior Director of Media & Content Strategy, Revive Our Hearts (and a co-elder with the author)
