John Owen, as always, continues to amaze me with his use of words, Biblical analogies and practical advice in his timeless book, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It. For the past several weeks I have given much thought to the power of temptation in the life of the Christian. Each believer faces temptation on a daily basis. My individual temptations may not be the same as yours and yours are not the same as mine but we all have one thing in common, we are all tempted. Owen gives some practical advice if you find yourself caught off guard by temptation and suddenly wrapped in its tentacles.
1. Do as the Apostle Paul did: beseech God again and again that it may “depart from you” (2 Cor 12.8). Owen says if you abide in this particular place, “you shall certainly either be speedily delivered out of it, or receive a sufficiency of grace [so as] not to be foiled utterly by it. When temptations come don’t set your mind in the individual temptation or give a moments consideration, but instead set yourself against the temptation. “Pray against the temptation that it may depart; and when that is taken away, the things themselves may be more calmly considered.
2. Fly to Christ, in a peculiar manner, as he was tempted, and beg of him to give you help in this “needful time of trouble.” The apostle instructs us, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4.16). Owen says, “When you are tempted and are ready to faint, when you want help – you must have it or you die – act faith peculiarly on Christ as he was tempted; that is, consider that he was tempted himself – that he suffered thereby – that he conquered all temptations, and that not merely on his own account, seeing for our sakes he submitted to be tempted, but for us.” When temptation comes lie down at the feet of your Master, make your complaint known to him, beg his assistance, and it will not be in vain.
3. Look to him who has promised deliverance. Owen says, “Consider that he is faithful and will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able. Consider that he has promised a comfortable issue of these trails and temptations. Call all the promises to mind of assistance and deliverance that he has made; ponder them in your heart. And rest upon it, that God has innumerable ways that you know not of to give you in deliverance.” Step back and examine the whole of your life and how his faithfulness runs like a thread through every moment and trust him to do the same in your current affliction.
4. Consider where the temptation, wherewith you are surprised, has made its entrance, and by what means and with all speed make up the breach. Owen advises to put a stop to that passage which the waters have made to enter in at. In other words, cut off that which is feeding you the temptation and leading to sin. Turn off the television, put the book down, throw away the magazine, turn off the computer, etc… He says, “Deal with your soul like a wise physician. Inquire, how, by what means, you feel into this distemper; and if you find negligence, carelessness, want of keeping watch over yourself, to have lain at the bottom of it, fix your soul there – bewail that before the Lord – make up that breach – and then proceed to the work that lies before you.”
Remember People – Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever!” (Heb 13.8).
