Struggling With Sin?

Recently I finished reading John Owen's classic work on the putting to death of sin, entitled (in part) Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers. It is truly a wonderful work, one that every Christian should read for a simple reason: we all struggle with sin, and unless we are actively putting it to death by the Spirit, we will fall into it more and more.

It isn't easy reading; John Owen was absolutely brilliant, and he wrote in the 17th century. However, I assure you, it is worth the effort. You can get the book for free by going to the CCEL link I included above and download and print the book if you like. To whet your appetite for such a godly treatise, I am including a paragraph from chapter 11 in which Owen provides ways we can and must vigorously oppose sin, which he often refers to as lust:

Bring thy lust to the gospel, — not for relief, but for farther conviction of its guilt; look on Him whom thou hast pierced, and be in bitterness. Say to thy soul, “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 Ghost for his grace? Do I thus requite the Lord? Have I defiled the heart that Christ died to wash, that the blessed Spirit hath 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 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 nought, that I might harbour a lust in my heart. Have I obtained a view of God’s 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 endeavour to disappoint the end of the death of Christ? Shall I daily grieve that Spirit whereby I am sealed to the day of redemption?” Entertain thy conscience daily with this treaty. See if it can stand before this aggravation of its guilt. If this make it not sink in some measure and melt, I fear thy case is dangerous.

My God by His grace, mercy, and power in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit keep us from sin and guide us to dwell in righteousness.

sdg,
dbh