Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 7)
After an unplanned holiday hiatus, we continue today with reading through John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. I should have known that I’d be unable to carve time out of my busy holiday schedule to give the book the time it deserves. Lesson learned. But we continue today with the seventh chapter. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together.
For the past three chapters we have been in the book’s second section—a section that turns the focus from introductory materials to “the nature of mortification.” In this portion of the book Owen is turning to this question: “Suppose a man to be a true believer, and yet finds in himself a powerful indwelling sin, leading him captive to the law of it, consuming his heart with trouble, perplexing his thoughts, weakening his soul as to duties of communion with God, disquieting him as to peace, and perhaps defiling his conscience, and exposing him to hardening through the deceitfulness of sin, what shall he do? What course shall he take and insist on for the mortification of this sin, lust, distemper, or corruption, to such a degree as that, though it be not utterly destroyed, yet, in his contest with it, he may be enabled to keep up power, strength, and peace in communion with God?”
In the past two chapters and those to come he approaches the subject this way:
- Show what it is to mortify any sin, and that both negatively and positively, that we be not mistaken in the foundation (the fifth chapter provided the negative and this week we look at the positive aspect).
- 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 this week he turns to one of the two general directions, without which it will be impossible for anyone to truly mortify sin.
Summary
The summary for this chapter is as simple as it gets. Owen simply addresses one area: “There will be no mortification of any sin unless one be a believer.” He also provides an objection that may arise and answers this objection.
Discussion
This is one of those chapters that really should not even be necessary, for its point is obvious. Yet the history of the church shows that we cannot take it for granted. It is clear to those of us who believe that sin can only rightly be mortified if one is indwelt by the Holy Spirit; thus only those who are true believers can truly put sin to death. There can be no mortification unless one believes. Owen makes this point time and again:
- Unless a man be a believer…he can never mortify any one sin.
- There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.
- A man may easier see without eyes, speak without a tongue, than truly mortify one sin without the Spirit.
- Men must be gold and silver in the bottom, or else refining will do them no good.
- Mortification is not the present business of unregenerate men.
- Let the soul first be thoroughly converted, and then, “looking on him whom they had pierced,” humiliation and mortification will ensue.
- To kill sin is the work of living men; where men are dead (as all unbelievers, the best of them, are dead), sin is alive, and will live.
- Be sure to get an interest in Christ—if you intend to mortify any sin without it, it will never be done.
That is but a sampling. Clearly Owen wishes to make this point crystal clear. As one who believes I am certain that no true mortification can happen in those who forsake the Spirit—the one who is the active agent of mortification. I could well end there and close the cover on this chapter. But I’m glad I did not. Owen has things to say, even to those of us who already believe and who already know the truth that without believing upon the death of Christ there can be no death of sin. He cautions us against attempting to persuade unbelievers that they should be about the business of life change even before they have sought and found true heart change. “Unless a man be regenerate, unless he be a believer, all attempts that he can make for mortification, be they ever so specious and promising—all means he can use, let him follow them with never so much diligence, earnestness, watchfulness, and intention of mind and spirit—are to no purpose. In vain shall he use many remedies; he shall not be healed.” He goes on to say, “I wish that some whose trade it is to daub with untempered mortar in the things of God did not teach this deceit and cause the people to err by their ignorance.” Those who pursue supposed mortification but who do so without first turning to Christ, they are deluded and destroyed by their inability to overcome sin.
Christians, I think, are prone to demanding of unbelievers what they cannot supply. Too many Christians seem eager to demand change of unbelievers even before they demand or expect that these people come to Christ. What a tragedy it is if we demand what unbelievers cannot provide even while forsaking the call to the gospel—the only true remedy for their sin. In the “Objection” section Owen deals with those who would then say that unregenerate men are to never attempt to “better” themselves but are to let sin run amok. Through God’s common grace He restrains sin and we rejoice in this. But are primary call for unbelievers is not for men to kill sin, but to turn to Christ. The first things must come first.
Next Week
Next Thursday we will continue with the eighth chapter of the book. Though we are now well into our study, it is not too late for you to join in the fun!
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 great and have aided my enjoyment of the chapter. I trust this week will prove the same.
Comments (16) »
1. Jerry
January 3, 2008
10:45 AM
I posted a couple of extracts ffrom this chapter on my blog last week.
http://minormutterings.blogspot.com/2007/12/weekly-puritan.html
In short, before mortification we need salvation. Don’t tell a man that his flower beds have been trampled on when his house is burning down.
2. David
January 3, 2008
11:39 AM
I am so excited. I have been beating myself up, thinking I was behind in this reading project. I log on today to find out I am not behind, but actually ( a very rare occurance) ahead.
It is disconcerting to see believers and Churches more concerned in stopping sin than with changing hearts. I hear people all too often, church people, poo poo the behavior of non-Christians, their language, etc… and never once express a concern for the lostness of their souls. We would all benefit from Owen’s exhortation, “Let men know it is their duty, but in its proper place; I take not men from mortification, but put them upon conversion.”
Even sadder are the many we find who are more concerned about other’s behavior than they are about their own spiritual condition. May we all seek a changed heart that we may see a changed behavior.
3. Chuck
January 3, 2008
1:44 PM
What great applications this had for modern Christians- the condemning at abortion clinics, our gay friends, the unmarried in sexual relationships - how can we judge and condemn their action (the bad) without focusing on Christ’s work (the good)? How can we be more focused on a temporal sin than their eternal security and salvation?
Instead, use the sin to point to Christ. Show our depraved state and the life through Christ’s death:
“…that [believers] make use of the sin they speak against to the discovery of the state and condition wherein the sinner is…If ever God shine into [unbeliever’s] hearts, to give them the knowledge of his glory in the face of his Son Jesus Christ [2 Cor. 4:6], they will see the folly of their present way.”
4. Loren
January 3, 2008
4:50 PM
Chapter 7 was indeed a back to basics focus. On and on, page after page basically boiled down to “Unless a man be a believer—that is, one that is truly ingrafted into Christ—he can never mortify any one sin; I do not say, unless he know himself to be so, but unless indeed he be so.” It reminded me of a Vince Lombardi pep talk where, with football in hand, he held it up to a group of experienced players and said, “This is a football”. Everyone knew it was a football but he wanted to remind them that what happens with the football determines success. To me, Owen is saying “Look to Christ” for in Him is our only hope of spiritual success in obtaining salvation and then progressing on with mortification. Apart from Him you can do NOTHING and don’t you ever forget that!
Really, Owen is just adding to a continuing theme he has said all along. Mortification can only happen through the power of God in a person’s life. An internal change. If a person has no relationship with Christ, there is no power available for the mortification of sin. No matter what external rules, threats or enticements are put in place sin is too powerful and there will be no lasting success. Further, if I as a believer quench the Spirit’s work in my life I will have no hope of making progress in mortification either. Only as we walk in the Spirit will we have any success against the desires of the flesh.
5. donsands
January 3, 2008
7:07 PM
“And this is one of the most common deceits whereby men ruin their own souls.” Owen
“Those who pursue supposed mortification but who do so without first turning to Christ, they are deluded and destroyed by their inability to overcome sin.” -Challies
When one tries to become better by adding some religion, he will either soon fall away, and become discouraged in total disregard, or worse, he will succeed in his religious duties, and so clean up the outside of the cup, but leave the inside undone.
This was another hard chapter, but rewarding. It’s good to read teachers like Owen, and others who challenge us to exercise our brain cells.
6. Ben G
January 3, 2008
8:49 PM
As Tim says, it would appear at first glance that this chapter is unnecessary to read and discuss, as it should be obvious that the first step to mortification is conversion. However, to assume that this first step is obvious has been detrimental to churches, because Christ is the foundation of mortification. I have been through some dissolution with the church of my youth (I suppose it must be a common occurrence) - meetings seemed to be so much more about do’s and don’ts than about Christ and first principles. We talked a lot about these do’s and don’ts (bordering on legalism) but nobody really lived them out. There was as much sin and heartbreak in my church youth group as there was in my secular high school. We can’t assume that a majority of our fellow churchgoers are converted, at least not “thoroughly converted” as Owen says.
Another part of this is that mortification happens by having an “interest” (or stake, thanks to the editors of the version we are reading) in Christ. We don’t get converted and then start the business of mortifying sin on our own. How do we mortify sin? Through the Spirit. And how do we get the Spirit? By beholding Christ in all of His glory and falling at His feet.
Its amazing how much this resonates with what I have been thinking about. Praise the Lord.
7. Jeri
January 3, 2008
9:16 PM
This is a sad truth I’ve seen: “And therefore we see that there are not usually more vile and desperate sinners in the world than such as, having by conviction been put on this course, have found it fruitless and deserted it without a discovery of Christ.” Thankfully, I know of some who were on that course and then later did discover Christ! Thank the Lord for His sovereign grace.
This really struck me in relation to the children I work with at church: “To break men off particular sins, and not to break their hearts, is to deprive ourselves of the advantages of dealing with them.” I’ve seen that with children, as someone commented earlier, when an undue emphasis is put on their behavior and attitudes, the advantage we could have may well be lost.
Thanks Tim, and great comments, all.
8. Robin
January 4, 2008
8:52 AM
While the chapter should have been a “softball” or “given”, it ends up being a hardball. What was true in Owen’s time is still true today, maybe even ‘truer’ in it’s frequency.
Many times believers will condemn, without telling of the good news of Jesus Christ. My husband and I have been in conversations with others who complain about the actions of someone. More than once we have had to point out the person is lost and cannot be expected to do less! We, too, have had missed opportunities to minister to lost people in our lives. It is sometimes easier to get too close to a situation than it is to step back, evaluate it, and apply the one balm that can truly cure it. That balm being from Gilead!!
I have learned so much from this study, and from the comments that have been shared. Thank you, Tim, for facilitating this. Your gift of your time has truly been a blessing to my spiritual life.
Looking forward to the next chapter, Robin
9. Carol
January 4, 2008
9:22 AM
This was my favorite chapter yet.
Owen points to the Gospel in two ways - 1. There Will Be No Mortification Unless a Man Be a Believer - thus, those who are not believers need the Gospel. 2. There Will Be No Mortification Unless It is by the Gospe, and with the help of the Holy Spirit - thus, those who are believers need the Gospel.
Owen writes, “mortification is not the present business of unregenerate men.” We see that in our own culture. “Be killing sin or it will be killing you,” is not the business (or concern) of unbelievers, as it appeared to be (at least to some extent) in Owen’s day. Owen writes, “What then, would you have unregenerate men that are convinced of the evil of sin do?” It appeared there were men during his day who were both unregenerate and convinced of the evil of sin. But during this day, perhaps that is more rare. How many do we know, or have we seen publically that are convinced of sin in our culture?
If my own life (and conversion) is any indication of the lives other non-believers, when I was unregenerate I spend very little time thinking of sin, or how to kill it. In fact, the conviction of sin was perhaps the first work of the Spirit in my life. Though I carried a guilt of sorts, I still believed myself, on the whole, to be a “good” person. I did volunteer work. I cared for people weaker than myself. Yet I was impatient, unkind, unforgiving, and much more. I fixed my eye on what I did well, not my own sin (and I certainly didn’t call it that). It is a very great service to define “sin,” and reveal it for what it really is - in ourselves, in those who are believers, and, especially for those who are non-believers.
It is rare that the word “sin,” is used in modern culture, and when I have seen it, it is often used in sort of mock dismay (“I live a life of sin,” with a smile). The culture we live in even smiles at sin, when it is young, and seems confused by the effect os sin when it is old (when the reaping comes). Prisoners and their aunties and neighbors often seem surpsied about prisoners actions or prison sentences stating things about the individual in question like “he seemed like a good person,” or a “he is a good boy at heart.” Drug Users, though grieved by memory loss, physical repercussions of usage, hurt or distanced family members often frame their behavior, not in terms of consequences (or sin) but in terms of how their “disease” has caused so much pain. Parents who are angry, impatient, abusive, etc. are called “dysfunctional,” without an acknowledgement that every family has it’s “dysfunctions,” because every family has its sins. Dysfunction continues to be a scapegoat for our culture. “Dysfuntional” parents are dismayed when their children fly from the home and wish no more contact, and the children of “dysfuntional” homes see no need for forgiveness, nor do they see the same sins in their own attitudes, rebellion or other responses to their parents.
Sin is called fun. Sin is called disease. Sin is called mal-adjustment. Sin is called “dysfunction.” Sin is called trauma. Sin is called someone else’s fault. But sin, in our culture, is rarely called sin. As many in this blog-thread have pointed out, this isn’t just a problem of our culture…it’s also a problem for our churches.
So, in the midst of a culture that has no hope for achieving “mortification,” apart from Christ (and where both believers and non-believers seemed to have lost their grip on sin and the intricacies of killing sin) Owen’s work is absolutely refreshing because it points to one hope, and one way that transcends culture. Both for the non-believer and the believer. All the wonderful God-glorifying fruits, rewards, hope, healing and help that mortification brings - Owen reminds us that it is only obtained through the Gospel and by the work of the Spirit. He writes, “It is [the duty of the preachers of the word]…through the good hand of God, that emplyment: It is their duty to plead with men about their sins, to lay load on particular sins, but always remember it be done with that which is the proper end of law and gospel…[so they don’t foster or encourage] formality and hyposcrisy. ” Yes! So grateful for my church, where our preachers do this - but also grateful for the many folks who pray, talk, care for, and hope for those around them by both telling them the gospel, and bringing them to hear the preached word, that may someday set them free. We all have our part to play - thank God!
I pray that we, as believers, will mortify sin (without formality or hypocrisy) with the help of the Holy Spirit. I pray that we will have a deep and abiding gratefulness for the Gospel, and an accompanying hatred for sin, it’s nature, it’s power, and it’s effects so that this will motivate us to kill it in our own lives. I pray also that this awareness will help us, in humility, to powerfully address sin (and especially where the Gospel isn’t functioning) in our own lives, patiently address sin in the lives of those around us (who may be deluded or decieved as Owen writes of, and in need of genuine faith for change), and gently, compassionately, wisely and winsomely address sin (and define it when necessary) in those around us who have not yet experienced the amazing work of grace through the Gospel.
Thanks all for posting.
10. Kyle in Wi
January 4, 2008
11:51 AM
I love this chapter. We are finally getting down to the nitty gritty of mortification!
One big thing I took away that it is all about the gospel. I do not boast that I have conquered sin and stopped doing this or that, but I boast in the cross of Christ alone! I can not wait to countinue.
Tim was right most people see this as the basic foundation with no need for review, but from Christ flows mortification because He is the only to conquer sin and death. So while it does seem basic it is indeed the most important aspect of moritifcation.
Another side note. In todays church of socail activism it seems we want sinner to stop sinning. This is fulite and only leads to the hardening of the heart of the sinner apart from Christ. There is a quote I forget who said it. Sin in the wicked man is like poision in a snake, it is where it belongs. This is what we need to remember, the only things that can change a sinner is Christ.
11. Kwame Nyarko
January 4, 2008
6:24 PM
I greatly enjoyed this chapter. Again, the utter-reliance on, and the glorification of the all-sufficient work of Christ on the cross is stressed and clearly shown to be the means to “purge men as gold and as silver, take away their dross and tin, their filth and blood.”
Outside of Christ, everything including man’s remedies for mortification is in vain.
Glory to God for the gospel of Jesus Christ!! KAN
12. Marilyn B.
January 5, 2008
12:17 AM
I tried writing a brilliant response then lost everything I wrote to a sudden power outage. It must not have been brilliant at all and I will be thankful to be spared any embarrassment.
I enjoyed this chapter perhaps more than all those already discussed. Though the main point is simple, it brings to mind so many things most of which are already covered here by others.
When Owen talked about unregenerate people who try to kill sin, one immediate thought was about some of my children’s Christian friends. They demand that their associates cease all their worldly behaviors because they feel as Christians they should not have to be exposed to cursing, etc. They are demanding that the “unregenerate” behave as “regenerate” not for the sake of the sinners, but simply for the comfort of the “saved”. I know Blackaby’s “Knowing God” is in some disfavor among Reformed types, but I took one thought away from that that had great meaning for me; we should not be cursing the darkness for doing what it is supposed to do…being dark! Rather it is our job to be salt and light, to proclaim Christ wherever and whenever we can.
One more thought. I was reading recently at Slice where Ingrid shared a quote from Paris Reidhead out of the book Getting Evangelicals Saved. Paris was a notable preacher from the mid 20th century and he called for a one to two-year moratorium on preaching the “plan of salvation”. He said:
“Then I would call on everyone who has use of the airways and the pulpits to preach the holiness of God, the righteousness of God and the law of God, until sinners would cry out, ‘What must we do to be saved?’
Since beginning to read this book I have developed a deep grief for all those who will be lost because the church has designed itself to be inoffensive to the world. I understand now more than ever how hard it is to get into the kingdom. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said , “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
I pray the church in America will wake up and stop following after fads. Everything we need is in the Word of God.
13. Thomas Sullivan
January 5, 2008
6:14 AM
I am so interested in reading other comments and will not comment a lot on this chapter, nor the next, since the real surgeon’s knife that DOCTOR Owen uses starts with chapter nine. But to see such an interest in Owen’s writings makes me feel like I am in a unique company of friends. I attend an excellent church, and yet, except for the pastor, I don’t know if I can find any who have read much of anything that Owen has written. At this time I am narrating Owen’s massive work on Psalm 130 - The Forgiveness of Sin - for Sermon Audio. The first couple of narrations are online already - sid=1231071121238
I will comment about John Owen on the new birth or regeneration. In J.O.’s writings, he not only assumes that many persons attempt to live the Christian life without having the root of the matter in them, he also draws out at great length that someone can suppose he (she) DOES have the new birth when they do not. Owen covers this subject at great length in his writings on the Holy Spirit. This is in volume 3 of his collected works. The Work of the Holy Spirit as to Regeneration, and The Work of the Holy Spirit Preparatory to Regeneration. Then he goes into four more chapters of detail. I read this second chapter recently for Sermon Audio and discovered something that I never knew. The way that unregenerate persons have the gifts of the Spirit.
I will quote Owen himself since that would be better than paraphrasing him.
Owen writes at some length on the work of the Holy Spirit upon the unregenerate who are never actually quickened by this work, and yet may have the gifts of the Spirit. This is because the gifts of the Spirit is the Spirit working on the natural faculties, but the fruit of the Spirit is the Spirit working through the new nature in Christ. {I will give Owen’s own words on this in a moment}.
This is what Owen writes about the Spirit’s work upon the unregenerate! “It adds ofttimes gifts also, whereof this spiritual light is, as it were, the common matter, which in exercise is formed and fashioned in great variety. I say, this kind of spiritual light, the effect of this illumination, is the subject-matter, and contains in it the substance, of all spiritual gifts. One sort of gift it is when put forth and exercised in one way, or one kind of duty, and another as in another. And where it is improved into gifts, which principally it is by exercise, there it wonderfully affects the mind, and raiseth its apprehensions in and of spiritual things. Now, concerning this degree of illumination, I say, first, That it is not regeneration, nor doth it consist therein, nor doth necessarily or infallibly ensue upon it.” (Owen is explaining the common influences of the Spirit in Hebrews 6:4-6)
Now here is what Owen writes, in Volume 4 of his collected works - his work on the Holy Spirit is two large volumes!
This is the difference between the gifts of the Spirit and Saving Grace
“With {spiritual} gifts, singly considered, it is otherwise. {than the fruits of the Spirit} They are indeed works and effects, but not properly fruits of the Spirit, nor are anywhere so called. They are effects of his operation upon men, not fruits of his working in them; and, therefore, many receive these gifts who never receive the Spirit as to the principal end for which He is promised. They receive him not to sanctify and make them temples unto God; though metonymically, with respect unto his outward effects, they may be said to be made partakers of him. This renders them of a different nature and kind from saving graces; for whereas there is an agreement and coincidence between them in the respects before mentioned, and whereas the seat and subject of them, — that is, of gifts absolutely, and principally of graces also, — is the mind, the difference of their nature proceeds from the different manner of their communication from the Holy Spirit.”
WOW! Now do you understand why I am reading Owen’s work, “The Forgiveness of Sin?” After that kind of probing analysis, I have to look to Christ, to make sure my foundation is built on him, or I could go into despair.
14. Marilyn B.
January 5, 2008
6:03 PM
By way of brief correction, the Henry Blackaby book to which I referred was “Experiencing God”, not “Knowing God.”
15. Scott D. Andersen
January 5, 2008
7:40 PM
First, I wanted to say Amen to Thomas Sullivan’s observation regarding the possibility of the unregenerate having spiritual gifts. It reminds me of a book I read many years ago on the Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character by Gardiner Spring. (Thomas you may not remember me, but I think many years ago through an AOL or Prodigy Bulletin Board - I think you directed me to this book - or to a series of sermons based on this book. You even sent me some of your books on tape as well as a couple of other books in print and directed me to Mount Zion.org — Praise the Lord for his Faithfulness your assistance was much help as I began to grasp the doctrines of Grace. It’s good to cross paths with you again by the grace of God.) For convincing of this consider Judas Iscariot equipped with great spiritual gifts and sent out by Jesus.
Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Luk 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
I found so much profitable in this Chapter. So much practical. Such as preaching without gospel, preaching to change behaviour rather than save the soul.
It reminds me of the following verses. Where the law is preached but no gospel. No help, no promise, no looking to the enablement of Him who works in us both to will and to do. No promise of the Spirit.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Luk 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
“Is not this to put men to make brick, if not without straw yet, which is worse, without strength.”
I did struggle with this: “Men may refine brass and iron long enough before they will be good silver.” I think what he meant was “No matter how long you refine brass and iron you will never find silver.” Silver must be present in the ore before silver ever be found by the refiners fire. Conversion must first occur before mortification ever begins.
sda
16. Thomas Sullivan
January 6, 2008
4:38 PM
Another whole chapter on the Mortification if Sin?
I only NOW realized that Owen deals with the subject for another 35 pages in the fourth volume of his works. The general subject is progressive sanctification. The chapter there on the Mortification of Sin makes no reference to this treatise we are discussing, nor is that chapter mentioned in this treatise! Here is a paragraph from that chapter, and how probing it is…
And, indeed, it is to be feared that the nature of this duty is not sufficiently understood or not sufficiently considered. Men look upon it as an easy task, and as that which will be carried on with a little diligence and ordinary attendance. But do we think it is for nothing that the Holy Ghost expresseth the duty of opposing sin, and weakening its power by mortification, killing, or putting to death? Is there not somewhat peculiar herein, beyond any other act or duty of our lives? Certainly there is intimated a great contest of sin for the preservation of its life. Everything will do its utmost to preserve its life and being. So will sin do also; and if it be not constantly pursued with diligence and holy violence, it will escape our assaults. Let no man think to kill sin with few, easy, or gentle strokes. He who hath once smitten a serpent, if he follow not on his blow until he be slain, may repent that ever he began the quarrel. And so will he who undertakes to deal with sin, and pursues it not constantly to death. Sin will after awhile revive, and the man must die. It is a great and fatal mistake if we suppose this work will admit of any remissness or intermission.
It is interesting how often Owen says that few people rise to the occasion as they ought for this task. I am listening to some lectures on the Puritans by J I Packer offered for free at itunes.rts.edu and he calls us, compared to the Puritans a right flabby lot in regards to living the Christian life.
I plead guilty and and may God have mercy and grant grace!