Book Review: The Complete Works of John Owen (Volume 15): Sin and Temptation

John Owen is done some great work on addressing the issues of sin and temptation. He is known for the phrase, "Be killing sin or sin be killing you." 

Granted most people who have read from John Owen has read the Puritan paperbacks which are great works of literature and would recommend them to anyone. Crossway is releasing the Complete Works of John Owen which is more detailed than what has been released in the Puritan paperbacks. 

In the latest released volume, Sin and Temptation, we see Owen's works on the Mortification of Sin, which addresses the Biblical foundations for mortification, what exactly is mortification and what it is not, and examining the symptoms of lust. 

Next, we look at Owen's work regarding Temptation. Owen addresses the nature of temptation, what entering into temptation is and not, and the duty of all believers not entering into temptation. Owen gives practical advice for his readers on how to deal with temptation which, as Owen puts it, is the duty for all Christians. We are not to fall into temptation. Thankfully, we do have a remedy when we do and that is confess our sins to God.

Next, we look oat Owen's work in dealing with indwelling sin. He begins by addressing the foundational passage for indwelling sin, Romans 7:21, which says "I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good" (LSB). Owen writes about indwelling sin being a law, the natural properties of indwelling sin, fighting indwelling sin's deceit with the mind, and more. 

The final work in this volume is Owen's "Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace." Owen addresses what exactly is the dominion of sin, does sin have dominion over Christians, and the sign of sin's dominion which is the hardness of heart. 

This is the fifth volume of John Owen's complete works that has been released, and I would have to say it is the most important so far. Christians need to be aware of sin and how it works. Owen does a great job applying the Bible to our fight with sin and temptation.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.