We are nearing the end of our project to read through John Owen’s classic book Overcoming Sin and Temptation. After this morning we will have just one chapter remaining. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. If you are interested in participating in reading the next classic together, stay tuned to this site and we’ll choose a new book in just a week or two.
As we draw near to the end of this book, we are looking at specific instructions on how to put sin to death. We’re in the book’s second section—a section that focuses on “the nature of mortification.” Owen takes this approach:
- Show what it is to mortify any sin, and that both negatively and positively, that we be not mistaken in the foundation.
- Give general directions for such things as without which it will be utterly impossible for anyone to get any sin truly and spiritually mortified.
- Draw out the particulars whereby this is to be done.
He has already shown both negatively and positively what it is to mortify a sin and has given the general directions. He is now providing a list of instructions about how to actually do the business of mortifying sin.
Summary
This week Owen challenges the reader with several exhortations under this heading: “Do not speak peace to yourself before God speaks it, but hearken to what God says to your soul.”
- God reserves the privilege to speak peace to whom, and in what degree, he pleases
- It is the prerogative of Christ to speak peace to the conscience
- Men speak peace to themselves without the detestation of sin and the abhorrence of themselves for it
- Men speak false peace to themselves when they rely upon convictions and rational principles to carry them
- We speak peace to ourselves when we do it slightly
- If one speaks peace to himself upon any one account of sin, and at the same time has another evil of no less importance lying upon his spirit, without dealing with God, that man cries “Peace” when there is none
- When men of themselves speak peace to their consciences, it is seldom that God speaks humiliation to their souls
Discussion
I sat down to write about this week’s chapter and quickly found my time interrupted by the need for some high priority toilet repairs. I thought maybe I could use that as a metaphor for something, but nothing came to mind. So I proceed, but about an hour later than I would have liked! I will now have to keep my thoughts brief (for which I apologize).
This is a chapter that has intrigued me since I first skimmed through the book to get a sense of its flow. I guess the idea of peace appealed to me, and especially a peace of soul. There is a definite appeal to that. But Owen warns against speaking peace to our souls before God speaks that peace. So I have been wondering, what is this peace and how would God communicate it to us?
I thought Owen covered the subject well and without the long and parenthetical questions and answers that interrupted the last chapter a little bit. It is the prerogative to God to speak peace and the task of Christ to speak it home to the soul. We are prone to wanting to speak peace to ourselves and to salve our consciences when we have violated God’s will. But in so doing we speak a peace that is a false peace. We make a treaty with our consciences even while we have not experienced true repentance. We go on our way feeling better, but not being better. There may have been outward change, but nothing inward and lasting and real.
I saw myself as Owen described our tendency to speak peace to ourselves without hating the sin and abhorring our ourselves for committing it. Too often I allow myself off the hook, so to speak, acting as if my soul is at peace when the reality is that I have merely repented of the symptoms of sin or of my distaste for its consequences. In reality I have not repented of the sin and have not abhorred the nature that compels me to sin. God has not granted my peace. Instead, I’ve manufactured peace within my soul, but this without allowing God to speak His peace to me. How much better it is to wait for God to speak words of forgiveness and words of peace through His Word. This is the true source of peace and the true source of healing.
Next Week
Next Thursday we will continue by reading the book’s final chapter. And then we’ll have to discuss where we go next!
Your Turn
As always, I would like to know what you gained from this chapter. Please post your comments below or to write about this on your own blog (and then post a comment linking us to your thoughts). Do not feel that you need to say something exceedingly clever or profound. Simply share what stirred your heart or what gave you pause. You can also post any questions that came up. Let’s be certain that we are reading this book together. The comments on previous chapters have been very helpful and have aided my enjoyment of the book. I have every reason to believe that this week will prove the same.
Comments (8) »
1. Gino Curcuruto
February 14, 2008
1:37 PM
I was most affected by this chapter most as I read two quotes (both of which you pointed out Tim):
“Whoever speaks peace to himself upon any one account, and at the same time hath another evil of no less importance lying upon his spirit, about which he hath had no dealing with God, that man cries ‘Peace’ when there is none.”
Oh how I have been guilty to forgive myself of a sin I have committed while there are a few others lurking in the dark recesses of my heart. I have fooled myself. As if I have the authority to forgive my sin. As if I am really battling against sin if I only pick and choose. I pray that I would be stirred more by this lack of peace when this situation arises again.
“When men of themselves speak peace to their consciences, it is seldom that God speaks humiliation to their souls.”
I was reminded of times, all too recently, when I have spoken peace to myself about a sin in an effort to convince myself that I wouldn’t do it again all so I would not find myself humiliated by this sin. Praise God that this did not work out according to my plan! I was humiliated, forgiven, restored and found God’s peace.
This book has been a blessing and an encouragement to me. Although this is my first post during this project, I have been participating by reading all yours. Thank you folks.
Grace and peace,
Gino
2. donsands
February 14, 2008
2:41 PM
“In reality I have not repented of the sin and have not abhorred the nature that compels me to sin.”
I believe it may be both, hating the sin, and not hating the sin, if one truly has the Spirit of Christ. (Romans 7)
This was favorite thought from Owen: “When men do truly “look upon Christ whom they have pierced,” (Zech. 12:10); they will mourn for him, even upon this account, and detest the sin that pierced Him. When we go to Christ for healing, faith eyes Him peculiarly as one pierced.”
John Owen’s wisdom is at times can be so far down in the depths of the ocean of wisdom, and I can’t seem to hold my breath to dive that deep.
However, reading along with others has been very beneficial. And I believe God is gracious, and will use this servants wisdom to help me be more conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus the Christ.
Thanks for doing this Tim.
3. Scott D. Andersen
February 14, 2008
3:12 PM
Gino, it was great to read your comment. What you said reminded me of a teaching that seems all too common. And also, along the same thought, a connection that I did not make while reading Owen. The connection being that Owen is after me not to speak peace to myself where God has not done so. But from many quarters we hear the axiom, “You must forgive yourself.” Sometimes to such an emphasis that the all important salve is truly self-forgiveness. This teaching by Owen is refreshing and as Gino’s comment has prompted is in opposition to the lifting up of “You Must Forgive Yourself.” as the great antidote. May I, by the grace of God learn to wait upon the Peace that passes all comprehension and a peace that is accompanied with hatred and indignation upon my own sin. I really liked Owen’s use of 2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
WHAT REVENGE! this really helped me in how I should think of Sin and repentance as well as the application of this verse.
sda
4. Scott D. Andersen
February 14, 2008
3:20 PM
Donsands, I concur completely with your comment especially the last three paragraphs beginning with:”I can’t seem to hold my breath to dive that deep.”
Thanks Tim, thanks everyone, and thanks be to God for providentially making this such a profitable reading - I’ve been able to gain so much more by reading Tim’s reviews and all of your comments as well as also just the nice slow pace of a chapter a week! What a great gift to live with Owen’s Godly counsel in my thoughts for over three months.
sda
5. Kwame Nyarko
February 14, 2008
4:01 PM
As I read this chapter, I kept on thinking to myself these words describe me perfectly.
“When men are wounded by sin, disquieted and perplexed, and knowing that there is no remedy for them but only in the mercies of God, through the blood of Christ, do therefore look to him, and to the promises of the covenant in him, and thereupon quiet their hearts that it shall be well with them, and that God will be exalted, that he may be gracious to them, and yet their souls are NOT wrought to the GREATEST DETESTATION of the sin or sins upon the account whereof they are disquieted - this is to heal themselves, and not to be healed of God. This is but a great and strong wind, that the Lord is nigh unto, but the Lord is not in the wind”
No wonder the same sins come up over and over again. It seems as if the kind of detestation needed cannot really be described by words. The type that should consume me and that abhors any facet of sin completely and thoroughly and absolutely. It’s sad and painful to think of this because I know that I lack this greatest detestation.
Thanks to you all. It has certainly been a blessing reading along with all of you.
kan
6. donsands
February 14, 2008
6:28 PM
” It’s sad and painful to think of this because I know that I lack this greatest detestation.”
Me too. Good words. And to genuinely have such a heart is a blessing from above.
Jesus said to Peter when Peter was asked who He was: “Blessed are you Simon, for My Father has revealed this to you!”
I thank the Lord that I hate that I don’t hate my sin like I should. And I’ll keep on trusting Him by His grace.
7. Thomas Sullivan
February 16, 2008
1:35 PM
I mentioned when I first commenced this discussion with the brethren here on this subject, that I have the work of Owen that was owned by a former pastor. He taught this subject in Sunday School in the early 70’s. His notes are in the margin and I also listened to the lectures years ago.
He, admittedly, stated that he feared that some of Owen’s comments could drive a soul to despair, or depression if not qualified. I am not saying if I agree with him, but will post his comments for your consideration. When Owen wrote, “Men certainly speak peace to themselves when their so doing is not attended with the greatest detestation imaginable of that sin in reference whereunto they do speak peace to themselves…” the notes state, “This will crush the {hyper} sensitive. For he was concerned, how will the mourner know when he has reached that state?
Owen writes, “But when a thorough search comes to be
made, there hath been some secret reserve for the folly or follies treated about, — at least, there hath not been that thorough abhorrency of it” The notes of this former pastor ask, “what is thorough.” In other words there is some ambiguity.
Owen writes, “This the man considers, and thereupon concludes peace to himself; whether the Spirit of God make the application or no, whether that gives life and power to the letter or no, that he regards not.”
The margin notes ask, “How will he know when the Spirit is giving power to the letter?” In other word he is asking is this not too subjective, and mystical?
Owen answers this himself later on, “There is, if I may so say, a secret instinct in faith, whereby it knows the voice of Christ when he speaks indeed; as the babe leaped in the womb when the blessed Virgin came to Elisabeth, faith leaps in the heart when Christ indeed draws nigh to it.”
Thomas Goodwin also talks about this secret instinct in faith, in his book “The Return of Prayers.” But this is a most difficult thing to know. I confess I don’t know enough of this experimentally, and I admit it may be my own fault. At the same time, this “instinct” is something the devil is able to counterfeit. This makes it very difficult to apply. I must say that someone who can write like Owen here is in a very healthy spiritual condition and it shows how far off we ourselves are to this frame.
But there in another problem: Sometimes God comforts a saint and enables him to cry “Abba Father” even though God may not be pleased with everything in his present conduct.
This was certainly so with Jacob when he received the vision of the ladder ascending from heaven. Jacob had deceived his own father, taken the birthright away from his brother, etc.
HOWEVER, the least one can say is that Owen’s counsel will keep a saint from living in carnal security. The Puritans truly believed that God Makes Men Sensible of Their Misery Before Revealing His Mercy and Love.” (A Sermon by Jonathan Edwards)
8. Christinewjc
February 17, 2008
12:57 PM
I would like to invite readers at this blog to please watch the message at the following link. I also hope that you will be motivated to share your comments!
Marriage: The Image of God
Go to the site and click on the arrow on the right of that particular message.
When you view this video, you will see what the illicit sexual battles being faced by the church today are really all about. The fact is, it is not really only a physical battle, but more importantly, a spiritual battle that is transpiring.