In Kelly Kapic’s and Justin Taylor’s edition of three select writings from John Owen, the second book included is entitled, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It. I began this second book recently in my quiet time reading. Here are a few excerpts from today’s reading:
The Special Nature of Temptation
. . . temptation in its special nature, as it denotes any evil, is considered either actively, as it leads to evil, or passively, as it has an evil and suffering in it (152).
. . . actively considered, it either denotes in the tempter a design for the bringing about of the special end of temtatin, namely, a leading into evil; so it is said that “God tempts no man” (James 1:13), with a design for sin as such – or the general nature and end of temptation, which is trial; so “God tempted Arham” (Gen 22:1). And he proves or tempts by false prophets (Deut 13:3).
The End for Which God Tempts:
He does it to hw unto man what is in him: as to his grace or corruption (153).
God does it to show himself unto man and that –
in a way of preventing grace
in a way of renewing grace
We shall never know what strength there is in grace if we know not what strength there is in temptation (154).
The Way God Tempts
He puts men on great duties, such as they cannot apprehend that they have any strength for, nor indeed have.
By putting them upon great sufferings.
By his providential disposing of things so that occasions unto sin will be administered unto men.
The Way Satan Tempts (155).
Satan tempts sometimes singly by himself, without taking advantage from the world, the things or persons of it, or ourselves.
Sometimes he makes use of the world, and joins forces against us, without any helps from within.
Sometimes he takes in assistance from ourselves also.
Temptation, then, in general, is any thing, state, way, or condition that, upon any account whatsoever, has a force or efficacy to seduce, to draw the mind and heart of a man from its obedience, which God requires of him, into any sin, in any degree of it whatsoever (156).
