A Brief Review of Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen (Crossway Update)

The redeemed soul is the soul free from sin. Even so, we still sin as justified sinners, and feel shackled in the chains of sin. How do we break free and live in the true freedom that is available to us? By fighting against sin and temptation with every ounce of energy we have and mortifying sin by the Spirit’s power (Romans 8:13).

That’s the focus of Puritan John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation, which is a modern and accessible edition of three classic Owen works put out by Crossway. This edition combines The Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, and The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalencey of Indwelling Sin, adding helpful outlines and comments from editors Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor. The editors “hope to play a small part in reintroducing Owen to both the church and the academy.”

Owen’s three volumes describe the battle against the flesh, dynamics of temptation, the power of the Spirit to wage war against sin with utmost clarity and power that is unrivaled by modern writers. John Piper agrees, saying, “For me, to read Owen is to wake up to ways of seeing that are so clearly biblical that I wonder how I could have been so blind.” (Several John Owen books have influenced J.I. Packer profoundly.)

Reading Owen, even this version, won’t be quick, won’t be easy, and won’t be without a substantial amount of soul-searching and conviction. But it will shine the hopeful and bright spotlights of Christ and the Spirit’s power to fill your heart with godly affections and fill your toolbox to fight against sin.

Get this book, read it slowly, and take it to heart to do what the title says and treasure Christ.

Buy the book on Amazon or read the free PDF here.

Bonus Resources for Studying John Owen: