(Review copy courtesy of Banner of Truth.)
Purchase: BOT | WTS | CBDISBN: 9780851519470
An outline of this book has been prepared by Jeremy Walker.
Lessons from 'Temptation Resisted and Repulsed' by John Owen, prepared by Jeremy Walker.
The original, unabridged text can be read online at CCEL.org.
Works of John Owen, Volume 6: Temptation and Sin (BOT, 1966) WTS | CBD | Amazon
James, the brother of our Lord (or, as he preferred to be called, "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ"), was convinced that all believers face temptation.
Consider James 1:13, "Let no one say when he is tempted..." and 1:14, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (ESV).The Apostle Paul, likewise, believed that temptation is the common lot of the children of God.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)I find that the subject of temptation is an unpleasant one. I'm sure that you do, too. I know that I am tempted in many ways and at many times, and this subject elicits a sense of shame as I am caused to remember specific failures. However, the Scriptures address this subject, not only, to cause us to be repulsed by our failures and especially the temptations that lead to them, but also, to stir us up to the offensive resisting of temptations.
In order to be more mindful of the dangers that surround us and to be better prepared to escape them we must turn to the Scriptures and meditate upon the instructions it provides in this regard. We need to resolve with the psalmist to store up God's Word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. How else can we expect to keep our way pure, but by guarding it according to His Word (Psalm 119:9-16).
An able under-shepherd in this matter is the eminent Reformed Orthodox theologian, John Owen, by means of his classic study Of Temptation (1658). If you have read, even a page of any of Owen's works, you may think this to be an ideal suggestion, but object on the grounds that his writings are difficult to read. Well, thanks to Richard Rushing and The Banner of Truth Trust (BOT), an abridged and simplified edition of this volume is now available.
Rushing, who also abridged and simplified Owen's On the Mortification of Sin in Believer'spublished by BOT as The Mortification of Sin in its Puritan Paperback series, has done another superb job on this little book. The original book contains nine lengthy chapters which Rushing pares down and divides into twenty-three manageable sections. This makes the book very suitable for devotional reading. As I first read through this book, I took one chapter per day and meditated on its counsel bit-by-bit. This proved to be extremely helpful to me spiritually. I have since begun to go back over this little book re-reading it and taking note of my original marginal comments and underlined sections.
To show you how Rushing has accomplished the task of making Owen easy to read I'm offering the following comparison from the final chapter containing general exhortations:
Unabridged:
I know not any place in the world where there is more need of pressing this exhortation that in this place. Go to our several colleges, inquire for such and such young men; what is the answer in respect of many? “Ah! such a one was very hopeful for a season; but he fell into ill company, and he is quite lost. Such a one had some good beginning of religion, we were in great expectation of him; but he is fallen into temptation.” And so in other places. “Such a one was useful and humble, adorned the gospel; but now he is so wofully entangled with the world that he is grown all self, hath no sap nor savour. Such a one was humble and zealous; but he is advanced, and hath lost his first love and ways.” Oh! how full is the world, how full is this place, of these woful examples; to say nothing of those innumerable poor creatures who are fallen into temptation by delusions in religion. And is it not time for us to awake before it be too late, — to watch against the first rising of sin, the first attempts of Satan, and all ways whereby he hath made his approaches to us, be they never so harmless in themselves?Abridged:
I do not know any place in the world where there is more need of pressing this exhortation than this place. Go to our various colleges, enquire for such and such a young man. What is the answer concerning many? 'Ah, he was very hopeful for a season; but he fell into ill company, and he is quite lost. Another started off well in religion, we expected great things from him, but he has fallen into temptation.' And so in other places: 'He was useful and humble, and adorned the gospel; but now he is so sadly entangled with the world that he is living for self, and has no life and savour. Such and such a person was humble and zealous; but he has advanced, and has lost his first love and ways.' Oh! How full is the world, how full is this place, of such mournful examples, to say nothing of those innumerable poor creatures who have fallen into temptation by religious delusions. Is it not time for us to awake before it is too late, to watch against the first rising of sin, the first attempts of Satan, and all the ways in which he has made his approaches to us, even if they are never so harmless in themselves?Not only does Rushing succeed at smoothing out the grammar, but he also adds helpful historical footnotes and Scripture references wherever Owen employs Biblical allusions. One of the first allusions used, sets the tone of this little book. This allusion is to Numbers 16:46-47 (ix) when the Yahweh smote 14,700 Israelites after he had opened up the earth and swallowed Korah and his rebel gang. Whereas the congregation was ignorant of the plague of God's wrath, Moses saw that it was at work taking lives. Owen states that he is writing, not to those taken captive by temptation or utterly blind to it's power, but to those who "see that the plague has begun" (ix).
What I say is meant for those who mourn in secret for all the abominations found among those who profess the gospel, and for those who, under the guidance of the Captain of their salvation, are fighting and resisting the power of temptations, whatever their source. (ix-x)Friends, this is a matter of vital importance and here is a book that will be of immeasurable help to you. I have read of this book being used in a Sunday School setting, and I think that that is a great idea. I would especially encourage teenagers to take up and read this little book. Owen has never been so accessible, and he is an author Christians ought to be familiar with. Here is a great place to start.
The duties that God has for us along our ordinary path of life are not in proportion to the strength we have in ourselves, but in proportion to the help and relief that is laid up for us in Christ. (7)
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