About the Author

Publisher's Description

In this abridged and easy to read edition of John Owen’s classic work Of Temptation, the famous Puritan theologian opens up Matthew 26:41, carefully explaining what temptation is and what is involved in entering into it.

He then shows how Christ teaches two means for Christians to use to guard against this danger, namely watching and praying: ‘These two’, Owen says, ‘comprise the whole endeavour of faith for the soul’s preservation from tempation’, and he insists that it is the duty of every believer to follow diligently Christ’s instructions to avoid falling into temptation.

Owen helpfully applies his teaching, showing us how we can know whether we have entered into temptation, what practical steps should be taken to preserve our souls from entering into it, how to identify those particular times when people tend to enter into temptation, and the best ways of watching the heart itself.

Sinclair B. Ferguson has written: ‘Many of Owen’s readers have come away from reading him on such themes as temptation and indwelling sin feeling that Owen knew them through the through.’ However, not only do Owen’s penetrating insights open up areas of need in our own hearts, they also open up correspondingly profound assurances of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Endorsement

Anyone who says they don't deal with temptation is either lying, crazy or in denial. The subject of temptation has been addressed by Christian theologians for centuries but, in my opinion, no one else has done as thorough and helpful of a job than English puritan writer John Owen. You can buy Owen's complete works on Kindle for less than $5. I'd highly recommend you do so as you'll find it a challenge to read something that doesn't help you in your Christian walk from this great preacher. Owen's work on temptation (Originally entitled "The Mortification of Sin") has been revised several times but I have found this version, edited by Richard Rushing, to be especially helpful.

Owen lays a solidly biblical foundation for what the nature of testing, temptation, our hearts and our enemy is before then going on to give practical steps we can take to avoid, resist, repulse and recover from temptation. You can't go wrong with the Puritans with their deep exegetical mining of the Scriptures coupled with their pinpointed heartfelt and pastoral application of the truth.

"He [who] tastes every day how gracious the Lord is...does not pine for the sweetness of forbidden things, which rally have [no sweetness]."

Pick up any Puritan Paperback today and you won't be disappointed. If you are struggling specifically with temptation in this season of your walk with Christ, dive into Owens treatise and you will be helped.