Overcoming Temptation And Sin PDF Download

John Owen is widely recognized as one of the premier theologians of the post-Reformation. One need not balk at placing his name alongside giants of the faith such as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, and Edwards. His ministry was vast and varied: preacher, statesman, political advisor, advocate, author, polemicist, and defender of faith. But perhaps his greatness is most clearly seen in his pastoral works on mortification, temptation, and sin. Since their original publication in the seventeenth-century, Christians have valued Owen's writings on sin and temptation for their uncommon insight into the wonderful depths and wild deceitfulness of the heart. These devotional writings were the product of a man who made it his chief design in life to promote the mortification of sin and the pursuit of personal holiness for the glory of God and the adornment of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a day of empty purpose statements, this may not mean much. But for Owen, overcoming sin and temptation was his life - a fact confirmed by his younger colleague, David Clarkson, who at Owen's funeral sermon in 1683 stated, "I need not tell you of this who knew him that it was his great design to promote holiness in the life and exercise of it among you." In other words, Owen preached what he first practiced. Though written over three hundred years ago, this volume is relevant for any tired soul aching for victory over the inner struggle between the Spirit and the flesh. Conquest will not come easy. This civil war within is a daily battle. As Owen states, "The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin" (p. 50). And how is triumph found? "Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and you will die a conqueror; yea, you will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet." Time and again in these three works, Owen outlines a battle plan for attacking sin by affixing our attention on Christ.