Temptaton: John Owen

It is official – I am now blogging the last Puritan book I have read of the year 2011!

John Owen’s book titled, “Temptation,” is written with one particular verse in mind: Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”

An observation:
1. The evil cautioned against – temptation
2. The means by which it prevails – by our entering into it
3. The way of preventing it – watch and pray

God does not tempt us…so how does temptation come?
1. Satan sometimes tempts by himself without taking advantage of the world, the things or persons in it, or ourselves
2. Satan sometimes tempts making use of the world
3. Satan sometimes tempts by seeking assistance from ourselves (our flesh)

How does temptation gain its hour?
1. By long solicitations causing the mind to think endlessly of the evil temptation
2. By prevailing in such a way that the soul is not filled with dislike and abhorrence of it
3. By intermingling itself with other considerations that perhaps are not absolutely evil

When are we in danger of temptation?
1. While in a season of outward prosperity (indeed, prosperity is a temptation)
2. While in a season when grace sleeps (communion with God is neglected or when duty is formal)
3. While in a season of great spiritual enjoyments (Paul was given the thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to keep him humble after given spiritual revelations)
4. While in a season of self-confidence (pride comes before the fall)

How do we avoid temptation?
1. Watch
2. Pray