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.
The relaxation should not be a method. You should not relax through a Yoga posture. This very understanding is relaxing, this very understanding is relaxation. You relax, effort disappears. You live your ordinary life - you chop wood and you carry water from the well and you cook food and you eat and you sleep and you love and you live ordinarily with no hankering and no desire for anything extraordinary.
A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.
There are times, however, and this is one of them, when even being right feels wrong. What do you say, for instance, about a generation that has been taught that rain is poison and sex is death?
I don't want to prove anything; I merely want to live, to do no one harm but myself. I have the right to do that, haven't I?
I've worked in the prison system, on death row and maximum security. I did that work for six years. I've worked with some of the most difficult people in our society. Buddhism was accessible and helpful for these individuals.
When a war is won, it's the losers, not the winners, who are liberated.
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