So great an advantage is given to sin and Satan by your temper and disposition, that without extraordinary watchfulness, care, and diligence, they will prevail against your soul.
Interpretation
Our thoughts and emotions can significantly influence our moral choices, making it essential to maintain vigilance and self-control.
John Owen's quote emphasizes the idea that our internal state—our temper and disposition—can provide a powerful advantage to negative influences like sin and evil. Without conscious effort and vigilance in monitoring our thoughts and emotions, we may unknowingly succumb to these negative forces, thus endangering our spiritual well-being. It serves as a reminder of the importance of self-awareness and the necessity of maintaining moral integrity through deliberate actions and careful attention to one's inner life.
In practice
This quote can be used as a cautionary reminder in a discussion about personal development at a seminar.
Because he is; that is, because he is an infinitely glorious, good, wise, holy, powerful, righteous, self-subsisting , self-sufficient , and all-sufficient being; the fountain and author of all being and good; the first cause, last end, and sovereign Lord of all; therefore, he is to be worshipped: therefore, are we to admire, adore, and love him; to praise, to trust and to fear him.
If I have observed anything by experience, it is this: a man may take the measure of his growth and decay in grace according to his thoughts and meditations upon the person of Christ, and the glory of Christ's Kingdom, and of His love.
Mortification is the soul's vigorous opposition to self, wherein sincerity is most evident.
The growth of trees and plants takes place so slowly that it is not easily seen. Daily we notice little change. But, in course of time, we see that a great change has taken place. So it is with grace. Sanctification is a progressive, lifelong work (Prov 4:18). It is an amazing work of God's grace and it is a work to be prayed for (Rom 8:27).
Free will is "corrupted nature's deformed darling, the Pallas or beloved self-conception of darkened minds"
A man may be carried on in a constant course of mortification all his days; and yet perhaps never enjoy a good day of peace and consolation.
A distant enemy is always preferable to one at the gate.
A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy, and prosperous being; and happiness, health, and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner with the outer of the man with his surroundings.
Nothing has happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now.
Wealth is an inborn attitude of mind, like poverty. The pauper who has made his pile may flaunt his spoils, but cannot wear them plausibly.
...All endeavours which are directed to a purely worldly end...contain within themselves the germs of their own corruption.
The truth was that for some months he had been going through that partitioning of the things of youth wherein it is decided whether or not to die for what one no longer believes.
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