Of Temptation

John Owen wrote this treatise in 1658 as a pastoral response to the spiritual struggles of his congregation at Christ Church, Oxford, where he served as dean during the Commonwealth period. The work emerged from Owen's conviction that English Puritans needed deeper theological resources for understanding and combating temptation, particularly as the initial fervor of the Puritan movement began to settle into the challenges of sustained Christian living. Owen observed that many believers, despite their doctrinal knowledge, remained vulnerable to recurring sins and spiritual defeat.

Owen argues that effective resistance to temptation requires precise understanding of how sin operates in the believer's heart and how divine grace provides both preventive and curative measures. He distinguishes between the occasion of temptation and its power, showing how external circumstances become spiritually dangerous only when they align with internal corruption. The treatise examines the progressive nature of temptation, from initial suggestion through contemplation to consent and action, analyzing each stage to help readers recognize and interrupt the process. Owen emphasizes that victory over sin depends not on human willpower but on the active mortification of indwelling corruption through the Spirit's power, combined with careful attention to the means of grace and honest self-examination.

The work has remained influential in Reformed circles for its psychological penetration and practical wisdom about the Christian's ongoing struggle with sin. Owen's analysis of the mechanics of temptation has been valued by pastors and spiritual directors across denominational lines, even as his thoroughly Calvinist framework has limited his appeal in other traditions.

Who should read this: Christians who want rigorous theological analysis of their moral struggles will find Owen's precision invaluable, but readers seeking gentle encouragement or simple behavioral strategies should look elsewhere. This work demands serious engagement with Reformed theology and rewards those willing to examine their hearts with uncomfortable honesty.