Consecration vs. Sanctification: What Is the Difference?

Consecration is dedicating someone or something to God; sanctification is setting someone or something apart as holy unto God. The meanings overlap in Scripture, so they should not be treated as entirely separate ideas.

A helpful distinction is:

Consecration: “Lord, I give myself to Thee.”

When Moses called Israel to renewed devotion, he said:

“Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD…” — Exodus 32:29, KJV

Paul expresses that same principle:

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” — Romans 12:1, KJV

For a Christian, consecration means yielding our bodies, abilities, possessions, plans, and desires to God for His use. It does not purchase salvation; it is a response to His mercy.

Sanctification: God sets us apart as His own and works holiness into our lives.

Scripture speaks of believers as already sanctified in Christ:

“…but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” — 1 Corinthians 6:11, KJV

It also speaks of sanctification as an ongoing work:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17, KJV

The saved person belongs to God, and through His Word and Spirit, God teaches him to turn from sin and live according to that relationship.

The distinction is useful, but not absolute. Scripture also tells people to “Sanctify yourselves” (Leviticus 20:7), so sanctification does not mean we are passive.

You could put it this way in a sermon: “Consecration emphasizes my surrender to God; sanctification emphasizes my being set apart for God and His work of making my daily life reflect that belonging.”