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On Temptation and the Mortification of Sin in Believers
This John Owen's classic book, originally published as two separate works, "On the Mortification of Sin in Believers" published in 1656 and "Of Temptation" in 1658. In this historic work, John Owen challenges his readers how one should know and regard the nature and the power of sin and temptation in the life of the believer, so it has been and still is impactful for many believers.
70 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2013
21 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
John Owen
1,342 books398 followersJohn Owen was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p. 494)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 7, 2020
Repose in God and he will give the soul repose. He will not fail us.
Most people are scared of the Puritans because they don't like this:
"And this is the first thing that the Spirit does in order to
the mortification of any lust whatever, -- it convinces the soul of all
the evil of it, cuts off all its pleas, discovers all its deceits,
stops all its evasions, answers its pretences, makes the soul own its
abomination, and lie down under the sense of it. Unless this be done
all that follows is in vain"
It shines a stark light and unblinking eye on things we don't want to deal with - the wounds that pain us.
But in shrinking back from that, they do not get the succor:
" The Spirit alone reveals unto us the fullness of Christ for our
relief; which is the consideration that stays the heart from false ways
and from despairing despondency... establishes the heart in expectation of relief
from Christ; which is the great sovereign means of mortification."
The answer isn't scrub harder, but that Christ covered all - weep and rejoice.
He covers errant thoughts, willful actions, and the dregs of sin more despicable in a regenerate heart for the blatant disregard of Christ.
Your heart isn't pure because you avoid the things that may prick your conscience, but in reading these things - first and foremost God's Word - you see the true man you are and your deep need for Christ.
Most people are scared of the Puritans because they don't like this:
"And this is the first thing that the Spirit does in order to
the mortification of any lust whatever, -- it convinces the soul of all
the evil of it, cuts off all its pleas, discovers all its deceits,
stops all its evasions, answers its pretences, makes the soul own its
abomination, and lie down under the sense of it. Unless this be done
all that follows is in vain"
It shines a stark light and unblinking eye on things we don't want to deal with - the wounds that pain us.
But in shrinking back from that, they do not get the succor:
" The Spirit alone reveals unto us the fullness of Christ for our
relief; which is the consideration that stays the heart from false ways
and from despairing despondency... establishes the heart in expectation of relief
from Christ; which is the great sovereign means of mortification."
The answer isn't scrub harder, but that Christ covered all - weep and rejoice.
He covers errant thoughts, willful actions, and the dregs of sin more despicable in a regenerate heart for the blatant disregard of Christ.
Your heart isn't pure because you avoid the things that may prick your conscience, but in reading these things - first and foremost God's Word - you see the true man you are and your deep need for Christ.
July 31, 2018
Really good. Should be read in tandem with Mortification of Sin
April 27, 2016
OH. SO. GOOD. ~ essential. read Romans 8 & 1 john then read it.... or just read it..... so much good truth. i found myself listening so intently.... taking notes... highlighting quotes.... then listening to that chapter again. owens takes truth, supports it with itself, breaks it up, bit by bit, list by list, and then explains it so that there is not a question left unanswered. put it on your list. get the book. make the time. just a few teasers:
"In the words peculiarly designed for the foundation of the ensuing
discourse, there is, --
First, A duty prescribed: "Mortify the deeds of the body."
Secondly, The persons are denoted to whom it is prescribed: "You," --
"if you mortify."
Thirdly, There is in them a promise annexed to that duty: "You shall
live."
Fourthly, The cause or means of the performance of this duty, -- the
Spirit: "If you through the Spirit."
Fifthly, The conditionality of the whole proposition, wherein duty,
8
means, and promise are contained: "If you," etc.
1. The first thing occurring in the words as they lie in the entire
proposition is the conditional note, Ei de, "But if." Conditionals in
such propositions may denote two things:-- "
"The principal assertion concerning the necessity of mortification
proposed to confirmation -- Mortification the duty of the best
believers, Col. iii. 5; 1 Cor. ix. 27 -- Indwelling sin always abides;
no perfection in this life, Phil. iii. 12; 1 Cor. xiii. 12; 2 Pet. iii.
18; Gal. v. 17, etc. -- The activity of abiding sin in believers, Rom.
vii. 23; James iv. 5; Heb. xii. 1 -- Its fruitfullness and tendency --
Every lust aims at the height in its kind -- The Spirit and new nature
given to contend against indwelling sin, Gal. v. 17; 2 Pet. i. 4, 5;
Rom. vii. 23 -- The fearful issue of the neglect of mortification, Rev.
iii. 2; Heb. iii. 13 -- The first general principle of the whole
discourse hence confirmed -- Want of this duty lamented"
" In vain do men seek other remedies; they shall not be healed by
them. What several ways have been prescribed for this, to have sin
mortified, is known. The greatest part of popish religion, of that
which looks most like religion in their profession, consists in
mistaken ways and means of mortification. "
" He does not so work our mortification in us as not to keep it
still an act of our obedience. The Holy Ghost works in us and upon us,
as we are fit to be wrought in and upon; that is, so as to preserve our
own liberty and free obedience. He works upon our understandings,
wills, consciences, and affections, agreeably to their own natures; he
works in us and with us, not against us or without us; so that his
assistance is an encouragement as to the facilitating of the work, and
no occasion of neglect as to the work itself. And, indeed, I might here
bewail the endless, foolish labour of poor souls, who, being convinced
of sin, and not able to stand against the power of their convictions,
do set themselves, by innumerable perplexing ways and duties, to keep
down sin, but, being strangers to the Spirit of God, all in vain. They
combat without victory, have war without peace, and are in slavery all
their days. They spend their strength for that which is not bread, and
their labour for that which profits not.
This is the saddest warfare that any poor creature can be engaged in. A
soul under the power of conviction from the law is pressed to fight
against sin, but has no strength for the combat. They cannot but
fight, and they can never conquer; they are like men thrust on the
sword of enemies on purpose to be slain. The law drives them on, and
sin beats them back. Sometimes they think, indeed, that they have
foiled sin, when they have only raised a dust that they see it not;
that is, they distemper their natural affections of fear, sorrow, and
anguish, which makes them believe that sin is conquered when it is not
touched. By that time they are cold, they must to the battle again; and
the lust which they thought to be slain appears to have had no wound.
25
And if the case be so sad with them who do labour and strive, and yet
enter not into the kingdom, what is their condition who despise all
this; who are perpetually under the power and dominion of sin, and love
to have it so; and are troubled at nothing, but that they cannot make
sufficient provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof? "
"Every unmortified sin will certainly do two things:-- [1.] It will
weaken the soul, and deprive it of its vigour. [2.] It will darken the
soul, and deprive it of its comfort and peace. "
"To mortify a sin is not utterly to kill, root it out, and
31
destroy it, that it should have no more hold at all nor residence in
our hearts. It is true this is that which is aimed at; but this is not
in this life to be accomplished. There is no man that truly sets
himself to mortify any sin, but he aims at, intends, desires its utter
destruction, that it should leave neither root nor fruit in the heart
or life. He would so kill it that it should never move nor stir any
more, cry or call, seduce or tempt, to eternity. It’s not-being is the
thing aimed at. Now, though doubtless there may, by the Spirit and
grace of Christ, a wonderful success and eminency of victory against
any sin be attained, so that a man may have almost constant triumph
over it, yet an utter killing and destruction of it, that it should not
be, is not in this life to be expected. This Paul assures us of, Phil.
iii. 12, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect." He was a choice saint, a pattern for believers, who, in faith
and love, and all the fruits of the Spirit, had not his fellow in the
world, and on that account ascribes perfection to himself in comparison
of others, verse 15; yet he had not "attained," he was not "perfect,"
but was "following after:" still a vile body he had, and we have, that
must be changed by the great power of Christ at last, verse 21. This we
would have; but God sees it best for us that we should be complete in
nothing in ourselves, that in all things we must be "complete in
Christ;" which is best for us, Col. ii. 10. "
"As a man nailed to the cross; he first struggles, and strives, and
cries out with great strength and might, but, as his blood and spirits
waste, his strivings are faint and seldom, his cries low and hoarse,
scarce to be heard; -- when a man first sets on a lust or distemper, to
deal with it, it struggles with great violence to break loose; it cries
with earnestness and impatience to be satisfied and relieved; but when
by mortification the blood and spirits of it are let out, it moves
seldom and faintly, cries sparingly, and is scarce heard in the heart;
it may have sometimes a dying pang, that makes an appearance of great
vigour and strength, but it is quickly over, especially if it be kept
from considerable success. This the apostle describes, as in the whole
chapter, so especially, Rom. vi. 6.
"Sin," saith he, "is crucified; it is fastened to the cross." To what
end? "That the body of death may be destroyed," the power of sin
weakened and abolished by little and little, that "henceforth we should
not serve sin;" that is, that sin might not incline, impel us with such
efficacy as to make us servants to it, as it has done heretofore. And
this is spoken not only with respect to carnal and sensual affections,
or desires of worldly things, -- not only in respect of the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, -- but also as to
the flesh, that is, in the mind and will, in that opposition unto God
which is in us by nature. Of what nature soever the troubling distemper
be, by what ways soever it make itself out, either by impelling to evil
or hindering from that which is good, the rule is the same; and unless
this be done effectually, all after-contention will not compass the end
aimed at. A man may beat down the bitter fruit from an evil tree until
he is weary; whilst the root abides in strength and vigour, the beating"
down of the present fruit will not hinder it from bringing forth more.
This is the folly of some men; they set themselves with all earnestness
and diligence against the appearing eruption of lust, but, leaving the
principle and root untouched, perhaps unsearched out, they make but
little or no progress in this work of mortification. "
"In the words peculiarly designed for the foundation of the ensuing
discourse, there is, --
First, A duty prescribed: "Mortify the deeds of the body."
Secondly, The persons are denoted to whom it is prescribed: "You," --
"if you mortify."
Thirdly, There is in them a promise annexed to that duty: "You shall
live."
Fourthly, The cause or means of the performance of this duty, -- the
Spirit: "If you through the Spirit."
Fifthly, The conditionality of the whole proposition, wherein duty,
8
means, and promise are contained: "If you," etc.
1. The first thing occurring in the words as they lie in the entire
proposition is the conditional note, Ei de, "But if." Conditionals in
such propositions may denote two things:-- "
"The principal assertion concerning the necessity of mortification
proposed to confirmation -- Mortification the duty of the best
believers, Col. iii. 5; 1 Cor. ix. 27 -- Indwelling sin always abides;
no perfection in this life, Phil. iii. 12; 1 Cor. xiii. 12; 2 Pet. iii.
18; Gal. v. 17, etc. -- The activity of abiding sin in believers, Rom.
vii. 23; James iv. 5; Heb. xii. 1 -- Its fruitfullness and tendency --
Every lust aims at the height in its kind -- The Spirit and new nature
given to contend against indwelling sin, Gal. v. 17; 2 Pet. i. 4, 5;
Rom. vii. 23 -- The fearful issue of the neglect of mortification, Rev.
iii. 2; Heb. iii. 13 -- The first general principle of the whole
discourse hence confirmed -- Want of this duty lamented"
" In vain do men seek other remedies; they shall not be healed by
them. What several ways have been prescribed for this, to have sin
mortified, is known. The greatest part of popish religion, of that
which looks most like religion in their profession, consists in
mistaken ways and means of mortification. "
" He does not so work our mortification in us as not to keep it
still an act of our obedience. The Holy Ghost works in us and upon us,
as we are fit to be wrought in and upon; that is, so as to preserve our
own liberty and free obedience. He works upon our understandings,
wills, consciences, and affections, agreeably to their own natures; he
works in us and with us, not against us or without us; so that his
assistance is an encouragement as to the facilitating of the work, and
no occasion of neglect as to the work itself. And, indeed, I might here
bewail the endless, foolish labour of poor souls, who, being convinced
of sin, and not able to stand against the power of their convictions,
do set themselves, by innumerable perplexing ways and duties, to keep
down sin, but, being strangers to the Spirit of God, all in vain. They
combat without victory, have war without peace, and are in slavery all
their days. They spend their strength for that which is not bread, and
their labour for that which profits not.
This is the saddest warfare that any poor creature can be engaged in. A
soul under the power of conviction from the law is pressed to fight
against sin, but has no strength for the combat. They cannot but
fight, and they can never conquer; they are like men thrust on the
sword of enemies on purpose to be slain. The law drives them on, and
sin beats them back. Sometimes they think, indeed, that they have
foiled sin, when they have only raised a dust that they see it not;
that is, they distemper their natural affections of fear, sorrow, and
anguish, which makes them believe that sin is conquered when it is not
touched. By that time they are cold, they must to the battle again; and
the lust which they thought to be slain appears to have had no wound.
25
And if the case be so sad with them who do labour and strive, and yet
enter not into the kingdom, what is their condition who despise all
this; who are perpetually under the power and dominion of sin, and love
to have it so; and are troubled at nothing, but that they cannot make
sufficient provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof? "
"Every unmortified sin will certainly do two things:-- [1.] It will
weaken the soul, and deprive it of its vigour. [2.] It will darken the
soul, and deprive it of its comfort and peace. "
"To mortify a sin is not utterly to kill, root it out, and
31
destroy it, that it should have no more hold at all nor residence in
our hearts. It is true this is that which is aimed at; but this is not
in this life to be accomplished. There is no man that truly sets
himself to mortify any sin, but he aims at, intends, desires its utter
destruction, that it should leave neither root nor fruit in the heart
or life. He would so kill it that it should never move nor stir any
more, cry or call, seduce or tempt, to eternity. It’s not-being is the
thing aimed at. Now, though doubtless there may, by the Spirit and
grace of Christ, a wonderful success and eminency of victory against
any sin be attained, so that a man may have almost constant triumph
over it, yet an utter killing and destruction of it, that it should not
be, is not in this life to be expected. This Paul assures us of, Phil.
iii. 12, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect." He was a choice saint, a pattern for believers, who, in faith
and love, and all the fruits of the Spirit, had not his fellow in the
world, and on that account ascribes perfection to himself in comparison
of others, verse 15; yet he had not "attained," he was not "perfect,"
but was "following after:" still a vile body he had, and we have, that
must be changed by the great power of Christ at last, verse 21. This we
would have; but God sees it best for us that we should be complete in
nothing in ourselves, that in all things we must be "complete in
Christ;" which is best for us, Col. ii. 10. "
"As a man nailed to the cross; he first struggles, and strives, and
cries out with great strength and might, but, as his blood and spirits
waste, his strivings are faint and seldom, his cries low and hoarse,
scarce to be heard; -- when a man first sets on a lust or distemper, to
deal with it, it struggles with great violence to break loose; it cries
with earnestness and impatience to be satisfied and relieved; but when
by mortification the blood and spirits of it are let out, it moves
seldom and faintly, cries sparingly, and is scarce heard in the heart;
it may have sometimes a dying pang, that makes an appearance of great
vigour and strength, but it is quickly over, especially if it be kept
from considerable success. This the apostle describes, as in the whole
chapter, so especially, Rom. vi. 6.
"Sin," saith he, "is crucified; it is fastened to the cross." To what
end? "That the body of death may be destroyed," the power of sin
weakened and abolished by little and little, that "henceforth we should
not serve sin;" that is, that sin might not incline, impel us with such
efficacy as to make us servants to it, as it has done heretofore. And
this is spoken not only with respect to carnal and sensual affections,
or desires of worldly things, -- not only in respect of the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, -- but also as to
the flesh, that is, in the mind and will, in that opposition unto God
which is in us by nature. Of what nature soever the troubling distemper
be, by what ways soever it make itself out, either by impelling to evil
or hindering from that which is good, the rule is the same; and unless
this be done effectually, all after-contention will not compass the end
aimed at. A man may beat down the bitter fruit from an evil tree until
he is weary; whilst the root abides in strength and vigour, the beating"
down of the present fruit will not hinder it from bringing forth more.
This is the folly of some men; they set themselves with all earnestness
and diligence against the appearing eruption of lust, but, leaving the
principle and root untouched, perhaps unsearched out, they make but
little or no progress in this work of mortification. "
July 31, 2020
Really great. There’s a whole bunch of zingers in the first few chapters of Mortification about the necessity of reliance on the finished work of Christ as a precondition to killing sin, emphasizing that it is only to those for whom there is no condemnation that the command to mortify sin is given. I found myself wanting to cut more to the heart at points in the second half of Mortification, especially as it relates to why people who think they’re resting in Christ when they go on in unrepentant sin really aren’t. But all in all this book was a really helpful read, and gave clearer language to many things I’ve been reflecting on lately with regards to Paul’s dichotomy between the spirit and the flesh.
This is the first of Owen’s books that I’ve read, and I’m sold.
This is the first of Owen’s books that I’ve read, and I’m sold.
August 19, 2022
This was a good read. It helped me to understand why sanctification and Christian life is so confusing for many Christians.
This guy keeps talking about how the Spirit is going to this and that and the other. But how is he going to do that?
Owen is clear: the Spirit is going to mortify your flesh, somehow, but DEFINITELY NOT through the preached Word, Absolution, Baptism, The Lord’s Supper. He’s going to somehow work some other way, even though the scriptures speak of the Spirit, mercy, forgiveness, and grace being delivered through specific means.
Overall, a fun romp through scripture, but not useful outside of binding one’s conscience for a time.
This guy keeps talking about how the Spirit is going to this and that and the other. But how is he going to do that?
Owen is clear: the Spirit is going to mortify your flesh, somehow, but DEFINITELY NOT through the preached Word, Absolution, Baptism, The Lord’s Supper. He’s going to somehow work some other way, even though the scriptures speak of the Spirit, mercy, forgiveness, and grace being delivered through specific means.
Overall, a fun romp through scripture, but not useful outside of binding one’s conscience for a time.
January 19, 2021
Great content but verbose language is hard to follow at times and can feel redundant. Owen gives insight and wisdom that is quoted presently in books and behind the pulpit (whether knowingly or unknowingly) and challenges the reader to take seriously the topic of temptation.
September 2, 2019
Probably would be better reading a hard copy (I listened to the audio and found it hard to concentrate). Some solid concepts and definitely informed my understanding.
August 22, 2023
"He is grieved by our harboring his enemies."
Very useful and encouraging book.
Very useful and encouraging book.
January 25, 2024
I think this is a necessary read to any Christian, especially those in a struggle with any particular sin. Especially considering there is so little emphasis on the danger and evil of sin today, and it is so rare to be given a biblical answer on how to put it to death. Coming into this work I believed the title gave a gloomy connotation and was associated with legalism and unnecessary asceticism, but I was terribly wrong. The pinnacle of this work is quite the opposite, faith. Owen intends for the believer to have such an extensive conquering over their indwelling sin that they are able to walk in true communion with God. This is to be done in fear and love of the Father, in light of our sin and His holiness, faith in Christ, especially His work on the cross, and in dependence on the Spirit, doing no mortifying apart from Him, for that would be no mortification at all. The result being an intimate relationship with our Lord that has a sweetness and vigor unattainable by someone who consistently is defeated by sin. Owen only talks about the actual mortification in the last 10 pages or so, the 75 prior (my version has 85 total) being a preparation of the heart, the aim being a heart of a sinner like David’s, one God considered after his own. I hope to read this again soon, probably multiple times and am thankful for Owen’s work. Nothing has given me so much clarity to this issue as it is displayed in the beautiful Scripture (the treatise is an exposition of Romans 8:13). I now know myself to be a deeper sinner, but I now know deeper to be a sinner with a great Savior, a realization Owen would say needs to be made daily by the believer.
January 18, 2024
A lot of great thoughts, but the time period difference means that his way of thinking about such thoughts is laid out in ways that I don’t naturally think. Worth reading (especially with the short length), and I’ll sheepishly admit I probably skimmed it too much.
February 15, 2025
The subject material, of course, is phenomenal. The book itself is worth reading. This edition is filled with misprints, grammar errors, so many problems that I had to compare it against another digital edition that I had. This one is definitely not worth picking up. Pick a better edition.
July 29, 2023
Listened to this on a long car ride to Wisconsin and it certainly set a vibe
November 30, 2023
Read this one slowly and prayerfully. After two years I’ve completed this book and it has radically shifted my view on sin, confession, and temptation. A Puritan classic.
August 1, 2025
If you can wrap your modern English ears around Owen's Puritan English, it's absolutely five star content.
August 29, 2022
Good stuff. Should be read at the same time with "The Mortification of Sin". Both go together.
August 29, 2018
John Owen is not the easiest person to read as his grammar is off and his punctuation and syntax are lacking. Yet, if you weed through the clunky syntax and patiently read his writings you will find yourself delighting in God all the more. This book has given me great and lasting insight on how to fight sin and what fighting sin looks like. It is not about keeping score or about how long you have avoided a sin. Rather it is about delighting in God and changing the desires of our heart. It is not about overcoming a sin for only Christ can do that. Rather it is about "killing sin or it will be killing you". It is not about avoiding sin or pushing sin aside. Rather, it is about facing it headlong with the power of God's authority, Christ's resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's sanctification. I can not wait to read the next book in this series of fighting sin, Of Temptation and the Nature and Power of it.
December 10, 2016
I spent a long time reading this one. I felt this book had a special quality about it that seems so different from modern books dealing with temptation and particular sins. It is amazing how much "false peace" we tend to speak to ourselves which leads to not truly mortifying the sin that "so easily besets us". Although not easy to grasp in the natural sense of understanding, this book awakens and inspires true spiritual discernment. I think I will be referring back to it often.
April 16, 2015
Someone once remarked, "It is possible to beat the body without ever touching the flesh." At the root of most self-help books (and Benjamin Franklin's guide to virtue) is the lie that self-discipline can defeat sin. It can't. How do we defeat sin then? Jesus' life, death, and resurrection sound the death-knell for sin. Owen shows us how we practically let Christ's love soak into our hearts and kill our sin.
August 20, 2018
This book has had more impact on my life than any other, save the Bible itself of course. John Owen deftly explains the need for mortification, and steps to take to achieve it. He draws all his conclusions directly from Scripture, and sets them forth in such a compelling manner that it drove me to prayer every time I read it.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
February 29, 2016
After listening through Owen's original of this work, I would recommend Banner of Truth's version of this classic. It's abridged and made easy to read by Richard Rushing who cut out Owen's wordiness not the excellent content of this work.
February 23, 2015
Started lent with this. We needed chapter 14 earlier, and throughout. Very useful.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews