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Works of John Owen #6
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
The writings of John Owen are a challenge to any reader, to say the least. His intricacy and complexity are intimidating and his language is downright befuddling at times. However, the depth of thought and the immense value of Owen's works cannot be quantified. His three classic works on sin and temptation are profoundly helpful to any believer who seeks to become more like Jesus Christ. In this volume, the editors have made updates to the language, translated the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and footnoted difficult or unknown phrases, all without sacrificing any of the wonderful content of Owen's work. It is a uniquely accessible edition of John Owen's previously daunting work.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1656
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About the author
John Owen
1,347 books404 followersJohn Owen was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p. 494)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
February 16, 2019
Weighty and good. John Owen hates sin.
August 13, 2018
WOW! Such an important book! All Christians need to read this book and exhort their own friends to read it too.
NOTE: This is a big book that will make you think and pray and meditate (it is not an "easy" one).It is not meant to be read in a week, so take your time, be determined, and read a couple of pages each day... until you read it all.
NOTE: This is a big book that will make you think and pray and meditate (it is not an "easy" one).It is not meant to be read in a week, so take your time, be determined, and read a couple of pages each day... until you read it all.
July 28, 2011
Owen brings so much content to the table concerning the nature and power of sin in the life of the believer, it is like trying to drink from a fire hose. His thought process, logic, and ability to synthesize Biblical information is beyond comparison. The book is actually a compilation of three books: On the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, and Indwelling Sin.
In the first book, On the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Owen makes the distinction, from the very beginning, that no unbeliever can mortify sin, just as Paul shows in Romans 8:5-8. Sin is only mortified by the Spirit. Unbelievers are without the Spirit, therefore, whatever good they may have attained to is a self-righteousness they have wrought within themselves. And as Isaiah 64:6 states of works done to try and please God outside of God and the righteousness He provides (namely through Christ), "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags," and are offensive even to God. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin," and therefore no unbeliever has a part in true mortification. They may deceive themselves in this manner, thinking they have truly reformed themselves, just as the Pharisees thought. But this is not the case. Owen goes on to describe what mortification is not, by going into detail about the very nature of how men think they have mortified a sin by "morally reforming themselves," when really the sin still lies in wait until the opportune time to strike, or morphs into another kind of sin (i.e. lust turning to pride or covetousness). Then he goes on to describe what mortification actually is, and that it cannot and will not occur outside of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit through the work of Jesus Christ to strike at the root of the sin. Owen also makes the point that if you are not daily mortifying sin, even though you may think you are simply lying still and being complacent, you are actually being anesthetized by the sin and under attack, where it gains a greater foothold in your life, making it even more difficult to deal with. Then finally, at the end of the book, Owen states that all he has written up until that point was meant to prepare for the actual work of mortifying sin, and then gives directions pertaining to the work of mortification itself.
In the second book, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, he goes into great detail about what "Entering into Temptation" actually means. He uses the Scripture where Jesus is telling the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to be watchful and pray that they may not enter into temptation. Many suppose this means simply to avoid temptation, but Owen describes that being tempted and entering into temptation are two entirely different things. Jesus was tempted but never entered into temptation. Once a person enters into temptation, meaning they make a conscious decision to flirt or play with a sin "at a distance" (so they suppose), it is like a quick sand that pulls you down further than you ever wanted to go, moving you to do things you never thought you could do, bringing about ruin and misery in your life.
The third book, Indwelling Sin, is basically Owen's unpacking of Romans 7, where Paul lays out the great war going on within him between his sin (his old nature) and the Spirit (that is, the new nature created in Him by the Spirit). The great conflict within all regenerate believers in the Gospel can be summed up in the Latin phrase Simul iustus et pecator - that is, we are simultaneously justified yet sinful at the same time. And there is an unimaginable war going on within us as a result, sin fighting vigorously and deceitfully for sovereignty in our hearts over against the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. He shows how the heart is the seat of the affections we have within us. And for sin to reign in our hearts is to control our affections. Owen dissects the various ways in which sin attacks every facet of our being, to keep us in bondage, in order to carry out offenses against God.
In all of these books, Owen strives to show with Scripture, reason, and extensive arguments, our absolute inability to do any spiritual good that matters in God's eyes. We our poor, wicked souls, that are in need of Gospel/Cross healing, and that is our only hope even. We are utterly dependent upon God to work within us that which is holy and pleasing in his sight, that He might change our affections, desires, wills, to line up with that of Christ's. God has given us the means of grace (Scripture, prayer, fellowship, accountability, communion, baptism) in order that we may come to Him and be healed by Him alone. We must make use of the means in order that God may work in us and pursue Him and the supernatural change He makes within us, on His time frame and will. He is sovereign, we are not, in every way. The hope of the Christian alone, in becoming conformed to the image of Christ, is that God is sovereign to change hearts through the cross of Christ, and is indeed willing to do just that. We are on His time frame though. We do not have a wishful hope that God would move in us, but a sure promise that, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) And we must fight with all the tools and resources God has given us, to have this change done within us by the Holy Spirit alone.
In the first book, On the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Owen makes the distinction, from the very beginning, that no unbeliever can mortify sin, just as Paul shows in Romans 8:5-8. Sin is only mortified by the Spirit. Unbelievers are without the Spirit, therefore, whatever good they may have attained to is a self-righteousness they have wrought within themselves. And as Isaiah 64:6 states of works done to try and please God outside of God and the righteousness He provides (namely through Christ), "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags," and are offensive even to God. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin," and therefore no unbeliever has a part in true mortification. They may deceive themselves in this manner, thinking they have truly reformed themselves, just as the Pharisees thought. But this is not the case. Owen goes on to describe what mortification is not, by going into detail about the very nature of how men think they have mortified a sin by "morally reforming themselves," when really the sin still lies in wait until the opportune time to strike, or morphs into another kind of sin (i.e. lust turning to pride or covetousness). Then he goes on to describe what mortification actually is, and that it cannot and will not occur outside of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit through the work of Jesus Christ to strike at the root of the sin. Owen also makes the point that if you are not daily mortifying sin, even though you may think you are simply lying still and being complacent, you are actually being anesthetized by the sin and under attack, where it gains a greater foothold in your life, making it even more difficult to deal with. Then finally, at the end of the book, Owen states that all he has written up until that point was meant to prepare for the actual work of mortifying sin, and then gives directions pertaining to the work of mortification itself.
In the second book, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, he goes into great detail about what "Entering into Temptation" actually means. He uses the Scripture where Jesus is telling the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to be watchful and pray that they may not enter into temptation. Many suppose this means simply to avoid temptation, but Owen describes that being tempted and entering into temptation are two entirely different things. Jesus was tempted but never entered into temptation. Once a person enters into temptation, meaning they make a conscious decision to flirt or play with a sin "at a distance" (so they suppose), it is like a quick sand that pulls you down further than you ever wanted to go, moving you to do things you never thought you could do, bringing about ruin and misery in your life.
The third book, Indwelling Sin, is basically Owen's unpacking of Romans 7, where Paul lays out the great war going on within him between his sin (his old nature) and the Spirit (that is, the new nature created in Him by the Spirit). The great conflict within all regenerate believers in the Gospel can be summed up in the Latin phrase Simul iustus et pecator - that is, we are simultaneously justified yet sinful at the same time. And there is an unimaginable war going on within us as a result, sin fighting vigorously and deceitfully for sovereignty in our hearts over against the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. He shows how the heart is the seat of the affections we have within us. And for sin to reign in our hearts is to control our affections. Owen dissects the various ways in which sin attacks every facet of our being, to keep us in bondage, in order to carry out offenses against God.
In all of these books, Owen strives to show with Scripture, reason, and extensive arguments, our absolute inability to do any spiritual good that matters in God's eyes. We our poor, wicked souls, that are in need of Gospel/Cross healing, and that is our only hope even. We are utterly dependent upon God to work within us that which is holy and pleasing in his sight, that He might change our affections, desires, wills, to line up with that of Christ's. God has given us the means of grace (Scripture, prayer, fellowship, accountability, communion, baptism) in order that we may come to Him and be healed by Him alone. We must make use of the means in order that God may work in us and pursue Him and the supernatural change He makes within us, on His time frame and will. He is sovereign, we are not, in every way. The hope of the Christian alone, in becoming conformed to the image of Christ, is that God is sovereign to change hearts through the cross of Christ, and is indeed willing to do just that. We are on His time frame though. We do not have a wishful hope that God would move in us, but a sure promise that, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) And we must fight with all the tools and resources God has given us, to have this change done within us by the Holy Spirit alone.
January 27, 2012
Editors Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor do their darnedest to make one of the most notoriously unreadable Puritans accessible to lay readers. This is my first exposure to Owen, so I can't really compare their 'modernized' version to the original, but I can say that although it was substantively dense and organizationally complex, it was also quite readable.
In fact, Kapic and Taylor are so determined to simplify Owen that they footnote and define more than 250 words throughout the book--words ranging from the complex ('tergiversation') to the poetic ('ere') to the seemingly straightforward ('alacrity'). As a bit of a logophile, I got a bit distracted--I was curious to see which words were deemed 'obscure' enough to require footnoting. However, it is still helpful, particularly for those unaccustomed to using context clues to bluff their way through weird words.
And now for Owen himself. As I said, this was my first exposure to the brilliant theologian, and I have to admit, his reputation is well deserved. His analysis of sin and temptation is spot on and extremely convicting, and I was surprised to see how many of my own sinful thoughts and justifications were exceedingly common back in the 1600s (and likely before). Nothing new under the sun, indeed.
Owen is incredibly insightful, and his impressive intellect is founded on extremely solid, gospel-centered theology. It is a pity that he's not more readable--he really should be a staple of every Christian's literary diet. But then, I guess Kapic and Taylor are doing what they can to make that happen.
Bottom line: Read it.
In fact, Kapic and Taylor are so determined to simplify Owen that they footnote and define more than 250 words throughout the book--words ranging from the complex ('tergiversation') to the poetic ('ere') to the seemingly straightforward ('alacrity'). As a bit of a logophile, I got a bit distracted--I was curious to see which words were deemed 'obscure' enough to require footnoting. However, it is still helpful, particularly for those unaccustomed to using context clues to bluff their way through weird words.
And now for Owen himself. As I said, this was my first exposure to the brilliant theologian, and I have to admit, his reputation is well deserved. His analysis of sin and temptation is spot on and extremely convicting, and I was surprised to see how many of my own sinful thoughts and justifications were exceedingly common back in the 1600s (and likely before). Nothing new under the sun, indeed.
Owen is incredibly insightful, and his impressive intellect is founded on extremely solid, gospel-centered theology. It is a pity that he's not more readable--he really should be a staple of every Christian's literary diet. But then, I guess Kapic and Taylor are doing what they can to make that happen.
Bottom line: Read it.
August 29, 2024
One of the best things I have ever read across any genre. In my top 3 books of all time.
July 16, 2018
Aside from the Bible, I believe these three classic works of John Owen combined in Overcoming Sin and Temptation have impacted me more than any book I’ve ever read. By God’s grace we can learn to recognize sin, hate it, and hunt it down like the spiritual cancer that it is. By God’s grace I will never look at my indwelling sin the same again. As Jerry Bridges said of this book, to read Owen is to mine for spiritual gold. And as in mining, reading Owen is hard work. Absolutely worth every minute and re-reading required! (This edition has most antiquated words defined at the bottom in small print which was very helpful, as well as outlines given of each book.)
May 2, 2022
Owen remains one of the most important figures in my life. This work is filled with practical Christian life advice and deep theological meditations on the power of Christ in overcoming sin in the believer’s life. The timelessness of the work is like none other, and cuts to the heart each time I read it. Truly, the secrets of walking in holiness are exposited from the Scriptures here. The compilation of works in this edition by Taylor is and Kapic is unparalleled as the indexes and chapter outlines aid readers in grasping Owen to some extent. A read worth revisiting.
Read
November 18, 2025It's worth praising Kapic and Taylor's work. Their outline at the back, their formatting, their addition of the references for the passages Owen quotes, and not least of all their translations of the other languages Owen uses render this book readable. Owen's own writing still renders it hard to read, but I can't imagine getting through it without the help of the editors.
November 16, 2024
Read The Mortification of Sin morning by morning over a couple of months in early 2023, a couple of pages per day. I've read about Owen's work often, I've read summaries and paraphrases -- but reading the original was absolutely worth the effort, and has been personally helpful each day. Profound, insightful, rigorous, realistic, theological, and hopeful. The unabridged Crossway edition has modern typesetting, headings and footnotes, which makes a big difference.
Read Of Temptation and Indwelling Sin in similar manner and for similar practical encouragement over the next 12 months. This has been one of the best devotional projects I've ever untaken.
Read Of Temptation and Indwelling Sin in similar manner and for similar practical encouragement over the next 12 months. This has been one of the best devotional projects I've ever untaken.
March 26, 2012
Well it finally happened. I finished this book after working on it off and on for maybe a year and a half. It is a difficult book to speak of in short because, as Owen shows, there is much to be said about sin. I will say this is probably a book you can read many times and continue to learn from. It is fairly puritanical language but it's manageable and the revelations and convictions herein are certainly not bound by linguistic discrepancies.
January 17, 2013
Masterful theology by this great Englishman. Both he and contemporary John Milton wrote political literature (a.k.a. propaganda) on behalf of the mid-17th Century Puritan movement. Owen himself was an advisor to Oliver Cromwell.
March 30, 2018
No idea how any Christian can live in a world like ours, one in which temptation is literally everywhere, without reading this book. If you're used to reading classics, this is an easy reading level. But if you aren't, it'll probably be challenging.
December 29, 2021
Of the first six volumes this is by far the most pastoral and practical. A wonderful read for those struggling with sin and temptation and by far some of Owens' best writings. Sound and biblical yet not as technical and complex as most of his works. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
January 22, 2023
Be killing sin or sin will be killing you. A masterclass on sin and overcoming it, both internally and externally through the power of the gospel of grace.
March 8, 2021
This is probably the hardest book I have ever read just because of Owen’s language, but I also think it is the best book I have ever read. I was only able to read about 20 pages at a time because the content is so rich and requires you to think actively while reading. This book shows the pervasiveness of sin in our lives and the many roots that it can take. Every believer should read this book because Owen does such a deep discourse on sin and we are called to “die to [our] sin, and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). So let us do that very thing through the power of the Spirit.
April 8, 2022
Sin is poison. Owen knows sin because he knows his sin—a lesson in and of itself. Readers of this book will be challenged to rage against sin through prayer and cherishing God’s Word.
March 22, 2018
One of the most life changing books I’ve ever read.
June 2, 2014
Next to my bible, this book has had the greatest impact on my life. I will say this book proved to be a great challenge to read. I often re-read sentences and pages because of the difficulty. However, the work put forth was well worth it. This book is a combination of 3 works by John Owen. His included works are the mortification of sin, indwelling sin in believers, and the nature of temptation. This book makes much of Christ and paints a vivid picture of the terriblness of sin. This book crushed my man centered views of fighting sin and replaced it with a reliance on God though His power. The centrality of this book could be described in "bringing the cross to your heart" or bringing your sin to the gospel. Owen examines the source of all sin- your wicked heart and attacks it with the depth and riches of the gospel. I have filled a notebook with my thoughts on this book because of the depth and richness of the content. I would regularly have to stop reading and just think about what he said because it was almost as though he was writing a personal letter to me. I often write some of his "super bowl" sentences on post it notes so that I can remember them. Here are some of them:
This is an example of what Owen said we ought to think and apprehend in setting our faith on the work of Christ for killing sin-
"I am a poor, weak creature; unstable as water, I cannot excel. This corruption is too hard for me, and is at the very door of ruining my soul; and what to do I know not. My soul is become as parched ground, and an habitation of dragons. I have made promises and broken them; vows and engagements have been as a thing of naught. Many persuasions have I had that I had got the victory and should be delivered, but I am deceived; so that I plainly see that without some eminent succor and assistance, I am lost, and shall be prevailed on to an utter relinquishment of God. But yet, though this be my state and condition, let the hands that hang down be lifted up, and the feeble knees be strengthened. Behold, the lord Christ, that has all fullness of grace in his heart, all fullness of power in his hand, he is able to slay all these his enemies. There is sufficient provision in him for my relief and assistance. He can take my drooping, dying soul and make me more than a conqueror."
This resonates with me. I see my inner corruption and I am deeply saddened. I see "dragons" that are too big for me to slay. I can see my legs chattering, but God takes care of my drooping, dying soul by His fullness of power!
When talking about temptation, "If they would make work indeed, they are to set upon the whole of the lust itself; their ambition, pride, worldliness, sensuality, or whatever it be, that the temptation is united with. All other dealings are like tampering with gangrene: the part or the whole may be preserved a little while, in great torment, excision or death must come at last. The soul may cruciate itself for a season with such a procedure; but it must come to this- The Lust must die or the soul must die."
"Sin is a fruit that comes only from that root" , " the pleasures of sin are the rewards of sin; a reward that most men lose their souls to obtain".
Here is another example of what you ought to say to yourself to see the weight of your sin against a holy God and the riches of His grace:
" What have I done? What Love, what mercy, what blood, what grace have I despised and trampled on! Is this the return I make to the father for his love, to the Son for his blood, to the Holy Spirit for his grace? Do I thus requite the lord? Have I defiled the heart that Christ dies to wash, that the blessed spirit has chosen to dwell in? And can I keep myself out of the dust? What can I say to the dear lord jesus? How shall I hold up my head with any boldness before him? Do I account communion with him of so little value, that for this vile lust's sake I have scarce left him any room in my heart? How shall I escape if I neglect so great a salvation? In the meantime, what shall I say to the Lord? Love, mercy, grace, goodness, peace, joy, consolation- I have despised them all, and esteemed them as a thing of naught, that I might harbor a lust in my heart. Have I obtained a view of Gods fatherly countenance, that I might behold his face and provoke him to his face? Was my soul washed, that room might be made for new defilements? Shall I endeavor to disappoint the end of the death of Christ? Shall I daily grieve that spirit whereby I am sealed to the day of redemption?'
Additionally, it seemed that Owen has a New Covenant Theology. He has some great work in here on the law of Christ!
Overall, this book reframed my mind on God, sin, and myself. Nothing in this book is sugar coated. I was often convicted at how tolerant I am of sin in my life. It is death. Take the time and read this book!
This is an example of what Owen said we ought to think and apprehend in setting our faith on the work of Christ for killing sin-
"I am a poor, weak creature; unstable as water, I cannot excel. This corruption is too hard for me, and is at the very door of ruining my soul; and what to do I know not. My soul is become as parched ground, and an habitation of dragons. I have made promises and broken them; vows and engagements have been as a thing of naught. Many persuasions have I had that I had got the victory and should be delivered, but I am deceived; so that I plainly see that without some eminent succor and assistance, I am lost, and shall be prevailed on to an utter relinquishment of God. But yet, though this be my state and condition, let the hands that hang down be lifted up, and the feeble knees be strengthened. Behold, the lord Christ, that has all fullness of grace in his heart, all fullness of power in his hand, he is able to slay all these his enemies. There is sufficient provision in him for my relief and assistance. He can take my drooping, dying soul and make me more than a conqueror."
This resonates with me. I see my inner corruption and I am deeply saddened. I see "dragons" that are too big for me to slay. I can see my legs chattering, but God takes care of my drooping, dying soul by His fullness of power!
When talking about temptation, "If they would make work indeed, they are to set upon the whole of the lust itself; their ambition, pride, worldliness, sensuality, or whatever it be, that the temptation is united with. All other dealings are like tampering with gangrene: the part or the whole may be preserved a little while, in great torment, excision or death must come at last. The soul may cruciate itself for a season with such a procedure; but it must come to this- The Lust must die or the soul must die."
"Sin is a fruit that comes only from that root" , " the pleasures of sin are the rewards of sin; a reward that most men lose their souls to obtain".
Here is another example of what you ought to say to yourself to see the weight of your sin against a holy God and the riches of His grace:
" What have I done? What Love, what mercy, what blood, what grace have I despised and trampled on! Is this the return I make to the father for his love, to the Son for his blood, to the Holy Spirit for his grace? Do I thus requite the lord? Have I defiled the heart that Christ dies to wash, that the blessed spirit has chosen to dwell in? And can I keep myself out of the dust? What can I say to the dear lord jesus? How shall I hold up my head with any boldness before him? Do I account communion with him of so little value, that for this vile lust's sake I have scarce left him any room in my heart? How shall I escape if I neglect so great a salvation? In the meantime, what shall I say to the Lord? Love, mercy, grace, goodness, peace, joy, consolation- I have despised them all, and esteemed them as a thing of naught, that I might harbor a lust in my heart. Have I obtained a view of Gods fatherly countenance, that I might behold his face and provoke him to his face? Was my soul washed, that room might be made for new defilements? Shall I endeavor to disappoint the end of the death of Christ? Shall I daily grieve that spirit whereby I am sealed to the day of redemption?'
Additionally, it seemed that Owen has a New Covenant Theology. He has some great work in here on the law of Christ!
Overall, this book reframed my mind on God, sin, and myself. Nothing in this book is sugar coated. I was often convicted at how tolerant I am of sin in my life. It is death. Take the time and read this book!
March 1, 2017
This was a tough read for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the seventeenth century syntax. Once my brain found equilibrium in that area, however, I positively devoured this collection, feeling convicted the entire time. John Owen is strong medicine just when I needed it. I'm glad I read this collection, and I'm thankful it came to me when it did. (Though borrowed on a whim, the Lord knew.) I want to come back and read Book 1 from this collection (Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers) more slowly. I have much more to glean in that area.
June 5, 2017
Next to the bible I don't think any book took me as long to finish reading. Also apart from the bible I don't think any book has taught me as much. Similar to the proverbs this book is filled with so much wisdom and would be recommended to read a page or so daily because there's so mant good points to absorb. My only complaint with this book was that I felt the third book lacked something that the first two had, it was still good just not quite on the same level. that being said this book is fantastic and should be read by every Christian.
May 26, 2020
This book is extremely dense in size and in content. It took me a while to get through because you cannot just blow through this book. It’s pages are full of thought provoking truth that takes time to understand and ingest. Overall this book is an in depth look at the inter workings of sin. Owen goes step by step through temptation all the way to indwelling sin that a believer cannot simply shake off. I believe it is essential for believers because Owen leaves no stones unturned in his pursuit of overcoming sin and temptation.
February 21, 2011
This book has quite possibly impacted my life more than any other book outside of the Bible.
January 7, 2023
Get killing.
April 11, 2018
"The really great writers are not valuable for their cleverness but for their straightforward and astonishing insight into what the Bible really says about great realities. This is what we need."
John Piper's opening exhortations in the Foreword are an important introduction to not only these paramount works of John Owen, but the theologian himself. John Owen is one of the most prolific writers and teachers in the history of the church. His writing is extensive, rich, and the perfect paradoxical balance of simplicity with depth. Owen was famous for his treatment on the issues of sin, and these three classics - Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, and The Nature Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin - are a trifecta in answering all of man's questions on sin and temptation. What is it? Why is it? And most importantly, how can we overcome it?
In this updated translation and packaging, Crossway has done a wonderful job of taking Owen's work, preserving and retaining the rich wisdom he lent us long ago, and updating it to be more easily received and applied by modern readers. Reading the Puritans of old can be very daunting; chapter markings and an outlined sense of thought are sometimes missing, and of course the language of these men from long ago can be hard to follow accurately. Editors Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor and their team have treated Owen's classic writing with precision and care, while giving us a one-volume, compact version of his work on sin. The book is outlined into three "movements" or "acts," keeping Owen's three classic works on sin separated in some sense.
Act One is Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, perhaps Owen's most notable work of all. In it John Owen builds out the thesis of Romans 8:13, which has founded his entire philosophy on sin and mortification: "If you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body you shall live." Owen takes this verse, and from there explains why mortifying sin is necessary in the Christian life, the dangers of leaving sin un-mortified, the "Do's and Don'ts" on how we are to mortify our sins, and answering common questions and objections surrounding these subjects.
Owen first illustrates our pursuit for the mortification of sin as, "the saddest warfare that any poor creature can be engaged in. A soul under the power of conviction from the law is pressed to fight against sin, but has no strength for the combat. They cannot but fight, and they can never conquer" [85]. Our inability to mortify sin must be realized, but there is still hope for us in this area. "There is no way of deliverance from the state and condition of being in the flesh but by the Spirit of Christ" [112]. We can only be moved by the Spirit of Christ when we come to the self-realization that we mustn't excuse or justify our sin, but rather make Christ the ultimate Deliverer. "Christ, dealing with his decaying children, goes to the root with them, lays aside their profession: “I know you” (Rev. 3:15)—“You are quite another thing than you profess; and this makes you abominable” [138]. Perhaps the most moving sentence of Owen's Mortification is when he makes this remark about how we perceive Christ: "When we go to Christ for healing, faith eyes him peculiarly as one pierced” [169]. The rich theological understanding of why mortification is necessary guides the reader through Of the Mortification with a sense of urgency, guilt, yet hope and peace in Spirit's work.
Act Two is Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It. In this section of the book, Owen's foundational text is Matthew 26:41, and Owen uses the words "Watch and pray" taken from the passage to build an entire basis for how we should treat temptation: with a watchful eye, and a heart of prayer. Owen's focus in this section is more on temptation than sin, which he beautifully illustrates as two completely different entities. He spends his time answering the evil in question (temptation), its prevalence in our lives, and how we prevent it. One of the key quotations from Owen's argument is when he says, “The efficacy of an antidote is found when poison has been taken; and the preciousness of medicines is made known by diseases” [213].
In a similar style as Of the Mortification, Owen moves from the foundational texts, to clearly defining what temptation is and what it is not. Finally, he addresses how we can be diligent in striving to avoid temptation, from which he goes back to Matthew 26:41 and urges us to "watch and pray." "The daily exercise of our thoughts with an apprehension of the great danger that lies in entering into temptation, is required of us" Owen writes [271]. Finally, he shows the faithfulness of God in pursuing righteousness, writing, "He that makes it his business to eat daily of the tree of life will have no appetite unto other fruit, though the tree that bear them seem to stand in the midst of paradise" [301].
Finally, Act Three finishes with The Nature Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin, where Owen seeks to explain what indwelling sin is, how it operates, why we struggle with it, and how it affects us. Owen, as he does in the other two parts, centers the entire argument around one core verse - this time coming from Romans 7:21. Owen teaches us some valuable lessons about the power and efficacy of indwelling sin. "it is one thing for a man to know in general that there is a law of sin; [it is] another thing for a man to have an experience of the power of this law of sin in himself" [328]. He encourages us to "commit the whole matter with all care and diligence unto him who can search the heart to the uttermost" [356].
I love the way Owen's essay on indwelling sin ends. "And these are some of the ways whereby it pleases God to put a stop to the progress of sin, both in believers and unbelievers, which at present we shall instance in; and if we would endeavor further to search out his ways unto perfection, yet we must still conclude that it is but a little portion which we know of him" [506]. Despite the vast amount of work and belaboring John Owen did in these rich pages, even he realizes that his works do not compare to the "unsearchable riches" of our great God. And this blog post is an infinitesimal look into what Owen's words and thoughts in Overcoming Sin and Temptation.
If you're a fan of John Owen, get this book. But even if you're not, get this book. It is a difficult read for beginners and new Christians, but read it slowly, read it with care, and let Owen's straightforwardness and simplicity carry you to a deeper understanding of what sin and temptation are, and how Christ's work and God's glory helps us defeat this evils. I highly recommend this for any church leader, as it is a great resource to help ourselves and our congregations understand these tough topics better. A big thank you to Crossway for this fresh look at a classical goldmine in theology.
Stars: 5.0/5.0
John Piper's opening exhortations in the Foreword are an important introduction to not only these paramount works of John Owen, but the theologian himself. John Owen is one of the most prolific writers and teachers in the history of the church. His writing is extensive, rich, and the perfect paradoxical balance of simplicity with depth. Owen was famous for his treatment on the issues of sin, and these three classics - Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, and The Nature Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin - are a trifecta in answering all of man's questions on sin and temptation. What is it? Why is it? And most importantly, how can we overcome it?
In this updated translation and packaging, Crossway has done a wonderful job of taking Owen's work, preserving and retaining the rich wisdom he lent us long ago, and updating it to be more easily received and applied by modern readers. Reading the Puritans of old can be very daunting; chapter markings and an outlined sense of thought are sometimes missing, and of course the language of these men from long ago can be hard to follow accurately. Editors Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor and their team have treated Owen's classic writing with precision and care, while giving us a one-volume, compact version of his work on sin. The book is outlined into three "movements" or "acts," keeping Owen's three classic works on sin separated in some sense.
Act One is Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, perhaps Owen's most notable work of all. In it John Owen builds out the thesis of Romans 8:13, which has founded his entire philosophy on sin and mortification: "If you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body you shall live." Owen takes this verse, and from there explains why mortifying sin is necessary in the Christian life, the dangers of leaving sin un-mortified, the "Do's and Don'ts" on how we are to mortify our sins, and answering common questions and objections surrounding these subjects.
Owen first illustrates our pursuit for the mortification of sin as, "the saddest warfare that any poor creature can be engaged in. A soul under the power of conviction from the law is pressed to fight against sin, but has no strength for the combat. They cannot but fight, and they can never conquer" [85]. Our inability to mortify sin must be realized, but there is still hope for us in this area. "There is no way of deliverance from the state and condition of being in the flesh but by the Spirit of Christ" [112]. We can only be moved by the Spirit of Christ when we come to the self-realization that we mustn't excuse or justify our sin, but rather make Christ the ultimate Deliverer. "Christ, dealing with his decaying children, goes to the root with them, lays aside their profession: “I know you” (Rev. 3:15)—“You are quite another thing than you profess; and this makes you abominable” [138]. Perhaps the most moving sentence of Owen's Mortification is when he makes this remark about how we perceive Christ: "When we go to Christ for healing, faith eyes him peculiarly as one pierced” [169]. The rich theological understanding of why mortification is necessary guides the reader through Of the Mortification with a sense of urgency, guilt, yet hope and peace in Spirit's work.
Act Two is Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It. In this section of the book, Owen's foundational text is Matthew 26:41, and Owen uses the words "Watch and pray" taken from the passage to build an entire basis for how we should treat temptation: with a watchful eye, and a heart of prayer. Owen's focus in this section is more on temptation than sin, which he beautifully illustrates as two completely different entities. He spends his time answering the evil in question (temptation), its prevalence in our lives, and how we prevent it. One of the key quotations from Owen's argument is when he says, “The efficacy of an antidote is found when poison has been taken; and the preciousness of medicines is made known by diseases” [213].
In a similar style as Of the Mortification, Owen moves from the foundational texts, to clearly defining what temptation is and what it is not. Finally, he addresses how we can be diligent in striving to avoid temptation, from which he goes back to Matthew 26:41 and urges us to "watch and pray." "The daily exercise of our thoughts with an apprehension of the great danger that lies in entering into temptation, is required of us" Owen writes [271]. Finally, he shows the faithfulness of God in pursuing righteousness, writing, "He that makes it his business to eat daily of the tree of life will have no appetite unto other fruit, though the tree that bear them seem to stand in the midst of paradise" [301].
Finally, Act Three finishes with The Nature Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin, where Owen seeks to explain what indwelling sin is, how it operates, why we struggle with it, and how it affects us. Owen, as he does in the other two parts, centers the entire argument around one core verse - this time coming from Romans 7:21. Owen teaches us some valuable lessons about the power and efficacy of indwelling sin. "it is one thing for a man to know in general that there is a law of sin; [it is] another thing for a man to have an experience of the power of this law of sin in himself" [328]. He encourages us to "commit the whole matter with all care and diligence unto him who can search the heart to the uttermost" [356].
I love the way Owen's essay on indwelling sin ends. "And these are some of the ways whereby it pleases God to put a stop to the progress of sin, both in believers and unbelievers, which at present we shall instance in; and if we would endeavor further to search out his ways unto perfection, yet we must still conclude that it is but a little portion which we know of him" [506]. Despite the vast amount of work and belaboring John Owen did in these rich pages, even he realizes that his works do not compare to the "unsearchable riches" of our great God. And this blog post is an infinitesimal look into what Owen's words and thoughts in Overcoming Sin and Temptation.
If you're a fan of John Owen, get this book. But even if you're not, get this book. It is a difficult read for beginners and new Christians, but read it slowly, read it with care, and let Owen's straightforwardness and simplicity carry you to a deeper understanding of what sin and temptation are, and how Christ's work and God's glory helps us defeat this evils. I highly recommend this for any church leader, as it is a great resource to help ourselves and our congregations understand these tough topics better. A big thank you to Crossway for this fresh look at a classical goldmine in theology.
Stars: 5.0/5.0
April 10, 2020
This was a challenging read, but I'm glad I read it. It is so easy to makes excuses for one's sin, to overlook it, to make light of it. Yet sin separates us from God, and He hates sin, and we are called to do the same. Owen makes a strong case for the power of sin in our lives and how determinedly we must resist it, with the help of the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for Jesus. It seems amazing to be finishing this long book this morning, Good Friday, the day our Savior suffered and died to defeat sin and death for us!
May 18, 2020
Amazing book, and one of my favorites thus far. It’s a classic with time-tested wisdom on sin and temptation which is rarely talked about today. I love Owen’s specificity of language, scripture, and particular examples of the inner workings of the mind. Best book on sin/temptation I’ve read
December 11, 2023
A great modernization of these classic texts from Owen. While still hard to read at times, a Christina eager to fight sin and live righteously will benefit from Owen’s careful thought, exegesis, and philosophy on what sin is and how sin works.
April 7, 2019
Very good. Hard to read though. Great content
August 6, 2024
Tough and slow to read but evermore fruitful
February 13, 2016
This Overcoming Sin & Temptation is a collection of three works by John Owen. All three works deal with the nature of sin and how believers must battle this sin-nature.
John Owen is considered by many to be one of the top Pastor/Theologians that Puritan England produced. The three works in this volume are "Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers", "Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of it", and "Indwelling Sin".
It should be said that John Owen is difficult to read, for the modern reader. I found him very difficult to understand, while reading at a moderate pace. I finally gave in and slowed my reading pace. After about 300 pages, I became accustomed to his style and vocabulary. I could then start reading at a more regular pace, while still understanding.
This J.I. Packer quote is taken from the Preface:
"I did not say that it was easy to read them! - that would not be true; yet I do venture to say that the labour involved in plodding through these ill-arranged and tediously-written treastises will find them abundantly worthwhile" (from Packer's book, A Quest for Godliness)
Overall, this a good book. The teaching and advice are very good and rock solid. It is just that it takes some work to get at this teaching and advice.
Book 1: Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers
This is an exposition of the Romans 8:13 "If you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body you shall live"
In this book, Owen defines what mortification is, show that it is necessary, and and give directions on how to perform it.
"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."
"The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh."
"Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you."
Book 2: Of Temptation
Owen starts this book by citing Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation".
This book is in effect a long exhortation to "watch and pray".
Book 3: Indwelling Sin
"Hence we observe, secondly, believers have experience of the power and efficacy of indwelling sin. They find it in themselves; they find it as a law. It has a self-evidencing efficacy to them that are alive to discern it. They that find not its power are under its dominion. Whosoever [would] contend against it shall know and find that it is present with them, that it is powerful in them. He shall find the stream to be strong who swims against it, though he who rolls along with it be insensible of it."
"Temptation and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before, hence is that summary description to the whole work and effect of this law of sin, 'Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil continually'"
"We fight with an enemy whose secret strength we cannot discover ..."
"The best of our wisdom is but to watch its first appearances, to catch its first under-earth heavings and workings, and to set ourselves in opposition to them; for to follow it into the secret corners of the heart, that we cannot do."
"And hence do many poor creatures spend their days in dismal, tiring superstitions, without any great reluctancy from within, when others cannot be suffered freely to watch with Christ in a spiritual manner one hour. "
"...for God is not in it, and the law of sin makes not opposition to any duty, but to God in every duty."
"Hence the great duty of mortification is chiefly directed to take place upon the affections: 'Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry'(Co. 3:5). The 'members that are upon the earth' are our affections: for in the outward part of the body sin is not seated; in particular, not 'covetousness' which is there enumeratd, to be mortified among our members that are on the earth. Yea, after grace has taken possession of the soul, the affections do become the principal seat of the remainders of sin ..."
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