please explain to me the meaning of Mortification?

Answer 1

www.dictionary.com - mortification

Hey, a dictionary to learn the meaning of a word... who would have though?

Answer 2

Mortification, is a means of curing bad habits and implanting good ones, has its recognized place in the methods even of those who are engaged in pursuing purely natural ends. What is peculiar to Christian mortification is, that it relies for the attainment of its spiritual objects, not merely on this natural efficacy of its methods, but still more on the aids of divine grace, for which, by its earnestness in self-discipline and the Christian motive which inspires it, it can plead so powerfully with God. And here, as further contributing to increase it spiritual efficacy, another motive for which it is practiced comes in. It is practiced likewise as an expiation for past sins and shortcomings, for it is the belief of the Catholic Church, that, although only the Atonement of Christ can offer adequate expiation for the ins of men, men ought not to make that an excuse for doing nothing themselves, but should rather take it as an incentive to add their own expiations to the extent of their power, and should regard such personal expiations as very pleasing to God. This explains why many of the mortifications practiced by devout persons are not directly curative of evil propensities, but take the form of painful exercise and privations self-inflicted because they are painful, e.g., fastings, hard beds, abstention from lawful pleasures, etc. Not that these external mortifications are of themselves available, for spiritual writers never tire of insisting that the internal mortification or pride and self-love in their various forms are essential, but that external penances are good only so far as they spring from this internal spirit, and react by promoting it

Answer 3

Mortification of the flesh literally means "putting the flesh to death". The term is primarily used in religious and spiritual contexts. The institutional and traditional terminology of this practice in Catholicism is corporal mortification.

Etymology and Christian roots

The term “mortification of the flesh” comes from Saint Paul in this quote: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live” (Epistle to the Romans 8:13). The same idea is seen in the following verses: “Put to death what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).

In its simplest form, it can mean merely denying oneself certain pleasures, such as by abstaining from chocolate, from meat, from food generally (fasting), from alcohol, or from sex. It can also be practiced by choosing a simple or even impoverished lifestyle; this is often one reason many monks of various religions take vows of poverty.

In some of its more severe forms, it can mean causing self-inflicted pain and physical harm, such as by beating, whipping, piercing, or cutting.-

Answer 4

As has been pointed out already, mortification is a term used in the Bible that literally means "to put to death" (we get the word "mortuary" and "immortality" from the same word root).
In the New Testament we are encouraged to deny those desires that would cause us to behave contrary to the will of God. If you desire to lie, steal, murder, commit adultery, etc. (see the Top Ten in Exodus 20), then we are exhorted to deny or put to death those desires. Because we are naturally prone to do things that are contrary to the will of God (we are sinners by nature), this is often not easy. In fact the New Testament writers call it a battle (Galatians 5:16-23). Putting those sinful desire down is sometimes very painful (thus the vivid but figurative concept- "put to death"). But, it is a discipline that we grow and become strong in as we mature in our relationship with Christ.
This is often either an unpopular subject, or at the other extreme a misunderstood subject, in many Christian churches today. But, denying our desires and passions that become defined as sinful behavior, and thus conforming our behavior to the will of God is an integral part of being a follower of Jesus. This is what Jesus had in mind when he said "“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
I think that a good example of this is found in the subject of sex. Sex is a God thing. It's a beautiful gift. And, God made it enjoyable so that we would make babies. So, sex in and of itself is a good thing. But, God calls for it to be experienced in the context of marriage (one man and one woman exclusively committed to each other sexually for life). Sex, then becomes sin (contrary to the will of God) when it is experienced outside of marriage. Therefore, the desire to be "put to death" is not sex itself but sex outside of marriage (i.e. fornication and adultery).

I hope that helps and is not overly simplistic or complicated.

All the best,

Hesed.

Answer 5

It means self-imposed hardships: the use of self-imposed discipline, hardship, abstinence from pleasure, and especially self-inflected pain in an attempt to control or put an end to desires and passions, especially for religious purposes.

Answer 6

The descriptions of Moritification above are accurate. that being said, I think it's a total misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the goals of religion. It's like saying the sheet of paper isn't perfectly white, so let's paint it black.