Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before.
Interpretation
Temptations reveal a person's true character rather than change it.
This quote by John Owen suggests that external temptations and situations do not create new qualities within an individual; rather, they expose and amplify what already exists inside a person. The essence of one's character is revealed in moments of temptation or challenge, illustrating that our intrinsic qualities determine our actions more than external influences.
In practice
During a motivational speech on integrity, one might use this quote to highlight how true character is revealed in tough situations.
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.
When I was 7 years old, I announced that I was going to write a book about pollution. I didn't get around to it until I was 29, but I always recognized that pollution was a theft. That it was a way of stealing something from the public - the common earth.
I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you β Nobody β too? Then there's a pair of us? Don't tell! they'd advertise β you know! How dreary β to be β Somebody! How public β like a Frog β To tell one's name β the livelong June β To an admiring Bog!
The cyclical rebirth of caste in America is a recurring racial nightmare.
If everybody minded their own business... the world would go round a deal faster than it does.
England! awake! awake! awake! Jerusalem thy sister calls! Why wilt thou sleep the sleep of death And close her from thy ancient walls?
For most people, self-awareness and self-pity blossom simultaneously in early adolescence. It's about that time that we start viewing the world as something other than a whoop-de-doo playground, we start to experience personally how threatening it can be, how cruel and unjust. At the very moment when we become, for the first time, both introspective and socially conscientious, we receive the bad news that the world, by and large, doesn't give a rat's ass.
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