John Owen on Temptation - The Nature and Power of it, The Danger of Entering it and the Means of Preventing the Danger

by John Owen

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Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Counselling

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1658

About the author

John 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)

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my fifth or sixth time through this book which is perhaps even better than the earlier treatise on Mortification. Owen, in my opinion, is the greatest of the Puritan authors for three reasons: (1) his psychological insight (when you read Owen, you feel like he's been reading your thoughts); (2) his heart-oriented practicality (he gives you very practical strategies, but always with a focus on the heart); (3) his gospel-centeredness (he casts you not upon yourself, but upon Christ). Really, really good stuff. (Sometimes I wonder why I ever read anything else?!)

[Owen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. John Owen was a wise man, skillfully using God’s Word to examine man’s heart. He precisely defines what temptation is, and then reproves, exhorts, and encourages the reader to use the means prescribed by Scripture to keep from it. There is much convicting discussion about mortifying the lusts of the heart (idolatry in the heart). Happy I read, will read again.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Let us also consider ourselves and our great weakness. Let us consider what temptation is, it’s power, it’s effectiveness, and to what it leads. As to ourselves, we are weakness itself. We have no strength or power to withstand. The confidence we have in our own strength adds to our weakness, as it did in Peter. He that boasts he can do anything can do nothing as he should.” John Owen page 30.

This book, as all Owen books, has just page after page of pure gold. As Puritans go Owen is the greatest of all those I have read. He just clearly takes scripture and expounds it. Simple as that. No wasted words or bunny trails. Very good

[Caleb CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well thought out book with a lot of good insights on the dangers of temptations and how to approach them. A lot of it may seem obvious, but despite that, I came away with more knowledge. I think this book can help a lot of people struggling in their spiritual walk. I recommend it.

There it is and there you have it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful devotional book on the daily struggle of addressing temptations without and within.

Fantastic, pastoral and spiritual encouraging.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good encouragement on the seriousness of temptation and the omnipresent nature of it in this life. Temptation basically has two ends— satisfaction of the temptation or its mortification. From here, good encouragement that fighting against temptation isn’t an act of self-help/pulling oneself up by one’s bootstrap but leaning into the assurance of the Cross: the faithfulness of God’s promises, the grace of Christ which is the subject of God’s Word, and the enabling work of the Spirit. God preserves His saints and is patient with us. Shoutout God.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NASB)

John Owen is grounded in scripture and clear in his admonishments. He shows the need to examine yourself and trace back your sin to the temptation in order to kill it. None of us are immune to temptation and falling into sin. He exhorts us to examine our hearts. To not be negligent. To be watchful, careful, and wake up before it is too late.

A very readable and understandable Puritan work. I hope to read more of John Owen going forward.

“Let the heart, then commune with itself and say, “I am poor and weak; Satan is subtle, cunning, powerful, watching constantly for advantages against my soul; the world earnest, pressing, and full of specious pleas, innumerable pretenses, and ways of deceit; my own corruption violent and tumultuating, enticing, entangling, conceiving sin, and warring in me, against me; occasions and advantages of temptation innumerable in all things I have done or suffer, in all businesses and persons with whom I converse; the first beginnings of temptation insensible and plausible, so that, left unto myself, I shall not know I am ensnared, until my bonds be made strong, and sin hath got ground in my heart: therefore on God alone will I rely for preservation, and continually will I look up to him on that account.”

[Zachary Cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audiobook, So much gold, but it was a bit technical to try and do for an audiobook, I would say I left way too much meat on the bone, and I hope to return soon to pick at it some more.

Even though I struggled all the way through to stay focused, it’s my own lack of focus, not the book. It’s jammed full of practical insight. Perhaps a physical copy of this one would work better for some like me.

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply stunning. Though this is the shortest, it is by far the best volume of Owen's trilogy on overcoming sin. It features a well-rounded analysis of the subtle dangers of temptation and explores in detail the remedy found in gospel grace.

I wish I had read this book sooner, and mean to read it again in the future. If you can read only one of Owen's books on sin, this is it.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work of Owen was exceptional! The claim that puritans were legalistic will entirely fade away if one were to read this book. It is gospel saturated with Owen understanding that the Christian will not resist temptation if not for the grace of Jesus imparted by the power of the Spirit. At the same time, Owen loves his audience (Oxford students) too much to let them fall into temptation without calling them to awaken and watch "for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mat. 26:41) Reading this book served to awaken me to the dangers of temptation and to fix my eyes upon the beauty of our precious savior who is infinitely greater than anything sin has to offer.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction"

Owen is a great "heart doctor." He masterfully gets at the heart with this book on temptation, drawing out inferences from the Bible and using it to cut deep to the soul for aid in battling against sinful temptation.

Reading Owen in any capacity is tough work, but it is worth the effort

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 4 out of 5]

good stuff

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Will be returning to it again.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm definitely going to need to go back and reread this one to get its full value. There's a lot here.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen addresses temptation in the life of a believer. What it is, who it comes from, why it distresses us, when we are more prone to it, and how to take the axe to the root and overcome it.

[Robert Godinho · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something refreshing to the soul when reading our 17th century Puritan brother’s poetic writing on scripture. Sound scripture. Just as I enjoy the 19th century poetic sermons of Spurgeon, John Owen does a fantastic job at explaining the importance of biblical discernment to realize the moment you are in danger of entering into temptation and the power of the Holy Spirit to fight it. He writes in detail about the snares, dangers and consequences of temptation that are repeated so many times in the Bible. The importance of being aware by staying true in prayer and the upmost importance of walking with God and having an intimate relationship with Him. By fighting against sin and temptation with every ounce of energy we have and mortifying sin by the Spirit’s power. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Romans‬ ‭8:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
This is a refreshing short read that should be read slowly and then reread again and again.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great Puritan John Owen masterfully breaks down how Christians are to flee from all temptation. Using Matthew 26:41 Owen calls Christians to watch and pray as they live in a fallen world where sin abounds. He walks through the temptations of Christ, the temptations of every believer, the role of temptation, and how Christians are to fight temptation. Ultimately concluding the battle of not falling into sin is done by the power of the Holy Spirit. Owen is a convicting writer that uses the Word of God to cut deep at the heart of believers in regard to the seriousness of fleeing from temptation. In a world where temptation is abounding, because sin is abounding, I would recommend this to all believers as they seek to live lives that are honorable to God and above reproach.

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all that Owen is one of the densest theologians and sometimes his writing can be very opaque, he is most deeply concerned that Christians would have experiential communion with God and Christ. And what can be frustrating is that a book like this is not a 5-step guide to sanctification, results guaranteed! No, Owen’s method of equipping the saint for battle against the devices of the enemy is to encourage him to dwell on the glory of Christ. He seeks to fill him with a sense of the excellence of Christ’s person, which will make any temptation offered by the devil to seem a ridiculous counterfeit of the true blessings which Christ offers his beloved. I am very thankful for this work, it’s greatest benefit to the Christian is in “expounding to him the way of God more perfectly,” (Acts 18:26).

[Gabie Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5✨️
A convicting and practical read on avoiding and fleeing from temptation in the Christian life. This is a book written for the benefit of Christians during their lifelong sanctification. I appreciated the practical applications of how we ought to control our thought life and avoid circumstances that put us in tempting situations. The only reason I'm not giving a full 5 stars is that it can be a little dry and repetitive, but it was still extremely beneficial, and I would happily recommend it to others! (Note: I listened to Wayne Evan's narration, and I personally dislike his narration, voice inflections, tone. If you find a better narration, let ya girl know! Lol)

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and insightful exploration of how Christians experience - and can come to better withstand - temptation. Although the modernized and abridged version is undoubtedly easier to read than the unaltered original, it will still take a slow, attentive reader to fully benefit from all that Owen says here. Owen takes a deep dive into the subject matter of temptation and helps the reader in practical ways to identify, anticipate, and prepare for the manifold avenues temptation often travels in its attempt to detour the Christian from faithfully following the Lord.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and convicting. I benefited from discussing this with my husband as we read together as, probably due to the abridgment of the book, the material is very dense and Owen's points come fast. I'm sure reading the full version would be preferable, but this little book was more spiritually beneficial and convicting than many contemporary Christian Living type books I have read and was a great introduction to Owen as an author. Highly recommend.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Owen’s work on temptation shows his pastoral heart. He is favored by academic theologians but he is a maturing elder for the least of these. It is evident in this perfect companion to the Mortification of Sin. He does not merely define temptation but helps the reader to understand it. He reveals why it catches us by surprise and how to remedy it. The best example of are he stresses on is of course to keep your eyes on the Cross.

[Jacob Navey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I would recommend reading this one prior to "Mortification". Both valuable, but I think this one strikes at the root of all sin earlier, before it has opportunity to become sin. "All sin is from temptation (James 1:14). Sin is a fruit that comes only from that root."

"Fire and things combustible may more easily be induced to lie together without affecting each other than peculiar lusts and suitable objects or occasions for their exercise."

[Matt Boezinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most thorough (yet still concise) resource of any kind that I’ve come across on the nature of temptation. Owen simply, but masterfully, draws out truth from Scripture and invites the reader to see more of the excellencies of the Gospel as it pertains to this complex and often amorphous subject. If you want to begin understanding what it really means to experience and battle temptation according to the scriptures, read the Bible. But also read this book.

[Jory Bayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed reading Owen devotionally. This book paired with The Mortification of Sin make for a fantastic, convicting, and yet somehow comforting polemic against sin that continually (in bite sized amounts) encourages my heart to seek Him above the things of the world. Someone else said it well when they praised Owen for his psychological insight, pastoral practicality, and gospel richness.

[Johnny Zacchio jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Some of the best gospel insights on resisting temptation I’ve ever read. I just wish he emphasized public worship and community more but overall, fantastic read.

[Grant Carter]

Great book. Also super accessible

[Seth Goodale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Didn’t read this version, though, because the version I read came from the 6th volume of Owen’s “Works.” But it was quite edifying to read since the arguments, opinions, and directions are backed up with many Scripture references for further study and application.
This has got to be the clearest work on the meaning of temptation I’ve read. And not only clear with what temptation is, but also with what it means to be “in the hour of temptation.”
The author’s goal is quite simple: he wants us to understand what temptation is, and how we can avoid it conceiving into sin (James 1). The directions were clear and very practical, expounding upon Christ’s words in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Though Owen went into great detail in giving us some biblical principles on “watching”, he did not spend much time with “praying.” He says this himself in the work, expecting the reader to already have a general understanding of the duty of prayer. I would say, however, that he does give some solid exegetical and theological clarity on Matthew 6:13 (“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”), comparing it to James 1:13 (“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth be any man”). This will obviously bring reform and instruction to your prayer life when studied and applied.
This was an overall fantastic book. I’m glad I have the time to be able to read it with more comprehension, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I will probably pick this book up next year and read it again, Lord willing. There is so much to learn from our Puritan brethren. Soli Deo Gloria.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Known as the greatest English Puritan preacher, John Owen was an author I have been meaning to pick up one of his books or treatise for some time. I confess to being somewhat intimidated by scholarly Puritan writing so I was pleased to start with this shorter pamphlet read by an articulate, clear narrator in Jim Denison who let the words speak for themselves, but was never droning or distracting.

Of Temptation has an introduction that sets this writing into its historical context. John Owen is head of Oxford College during the Cromwell Protectorate and into the era of Charles II. He sees the merry King's ways that are followed by so many and is concerned for the spiritual welfare of Christians in such an atmosphere. Therefore, he sets out to speak on the dangers of not temptation, but entering into temptation. He clearly shows what to watch for and how to avoid succumbing.

I admired his clear, articulate address that stayed well within a lay person's comprehension and appreciated his organized outline and many quotes of Scripture to show he was constantly referencing God's Word on the matter. He presented many thought-provoking statements and I know that I could re-listen over and over and still mine the gems. I could appreciate his subtle wit at times as he stated sheer common sense. My big takeaway from this pamphlet was that to steer clear of temptation's danger, one must watch (pay attention) and pray, stay in the Word of God, don't get cocky that certain sins aren't a danger to one, and don't get lazy and slip into trouble simply because something is fun.

What a brilliant mind and I am definitely challenged in my thinking and attitude. Might be convicting, but no longer is his writing intimidating to me.

[Inwoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick book review of Owen on Temptation

An excellent book. Biblical in its presentation and practical. There is much to apply here for all Christians. One could think that the phrase “Gospel Driven Sanctification” is modern. Those who think like such have not read John Owen’s (1616–1683) work on temptation (see the quotes below). A large part (or the nucleus) in fighting off temptation is to be grounded and saturated in the Gospel.

Also, it is interesting that Owen seems to echo in some places the father of Puritanism, William Perkins. Owen like Perkins goes in depth into the nature of temptation and focuses in on the heart. Owen taps into the foundational source in fighting and ridding temptation as a believer which is found in the heart. This is why Owen tells the believer to “store the heart with a sense of the love of God in Christ…” (134). His point is, echoing Joseph’s question (133), how can we sin against our God (for all sin is against God) who loved us and redeemed us from our sin and misery? In other words, how can we sin against the one who loved us? Further, also behind this question the Christian finds powerful motivation to refrain from sin because of the Christian’s love for God who loved him first (John 14:15; 1 John 4:19). Owen says elsewhere "Fill your affections with the cross of Christ, that there may be no room for sin."

Further, Owen gives other important practical ways such as prayer, and knowing yourself well and your weaknesses in order to distance yourself from certain occasions. Also he gives the Christian wise counsel to avoid places and situations where you will be tempted.

The best book advice you could receive is to replace all your Christian pop lit with the works of John Owen. I’m not going to throw out the Christian pop lit, yet i think it would be of great loss if we didn’t keep in company with men like Owen.

Some quotes from the work:

A man may, nay, he ought to lay in provisions of the law also, fear of death, hell, punishment, with the terror of the Lord in them. But these are far more easily conquered than the other; nay, they will never stand alone against a vigorous assault. They are conquered in convinced persons every day; hearts stored with them will struggle for a while, but quickly give over. But store the heart with a sense of the love of God in Christ, with the eternal design of his grace, with a taste of the blood of Christ, and his love in the shedding of it; get a relish of the privileges we have thereby, our adoption, justification, acceptation with God; fill the heart with thoughts of the beauty of holiness, as it is designed by Christ for the end, issue, and effect of his death; and thou wilt, in an ordinary course of walking with God, have great peace and security as to the disturbance of temptations.

Owen, 6:134.

This also belongs to our watchfulness over our hearts. You will say, "What provision is intended, and where is it to be laid up?" Our hearts, as our Saviour speaks, are our treasury. There we lay up whatever we have, good or bad; and thence do we draw it for our use, Matt. xii. 35. It is the heart, then, wherein provision is to be laid up against temptation. When an enemy draws nigh to a fort or castle to besiege and take it, oftentimes, if he find it well manned and furnished with provision for a siege, and so able to hold out, he withdraws and assaults it not. If Satan, the prince of this world, come and find our hearts fortified against his batteries, and provided to hold out, he not only departs, but, as James says, he flees; "He will flee from us," James iv. 7. For the provision to be laid up, it is that which is provided in the gospel for us. Gospel provisions will do this work; that is, keep the heart full of a sense of the love of God in Christ. This is the greatest preservative against the power of temptation in the world Joseph had this; and therefore, on the first appearance of temptation, he cries out, “How can I do this great evil, and sin against God?" and there is an end of the temptation as to him; it lays no hold on him, but departs. He was furnished with such a ready sense of the love of God as temptation could not stand before, Gen. xxxix. 9. "The love of Christ constraineth us," saith the apostle, "to live to him," 2 Cor. v. 14; and so, consequently, to withstand temptation.

Owen, 6:133-134.

“Peter will not come again in haste to the high priest's hall; nor would David walk again on the top of his house, when he should have been on the high places of the field. But the particulars of this instance are so various, and of such several natures in respect of several persons, that it is impossible to enumerate them, Prov. iv. 14, 15. Herein lies no small part of that wisdom which consists in our ordering our conversation aright. Seeing we have so little power over our hearts when once they meet with suitable provocations, we are to keep them asunder, as a man would do fire and the combustible parts of the house wherein he dwells.”

— John Owen (1616–1683), 6:133.

“Let him [the Christian] that would not enter into temptation labour to know his own heart, to be acquainted with his own spirit, his natural frame and temper, his lusts and corruptions, his natural, sinful, or spiritual weaknesses, that, finding where his weakness lies, he may be careful to keep at a distance from all occasions of sin….

Others are earthy, froward, morose; so that envy, malice, selfishness, peevishness, harsh thoughts of others, repinings, lie at the very door of their natures, and they can scarce step out but they are in the snare of one or other of them. Others are passionate, and the like. Now, he that would watch that he enter not into temptation, had need be acquainted with his own natural temper, that he may watch over the treacheries that lie in it continually. Take heed lest you have a Jehu in you, that shall make you drive furiously; or a Jonah in you, that will make you ready to repine; or a David, that will make you hasty in your determinations, as he was often, in the warmth and goodness of his natural temper. He who watches not this thoroughly, who is not exactly skilled in the knowledge of himself, will never be disentangled from one temptation or another all his days.”

Owen, 6:131-32.