'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 1

The nature of temptation is to lead us into sin. It may proceed either from Satan, the world, or from ourselves. Temptation may come singly from each of these, or they may join together their forces in various combinations. Satan seeks to inject his evil and blasphemous thoughts about God into the hearts of the saints. It is his own work. He does not use the world or our own hearts in this temptation. His fiery darts are prepared in the forge of his own malice, and shall, with all their venom and poison, be turned into his own heart for ever. Sometimes Satan makes use of the world, and joins forces against us. This is the way he tempted our Saviour; he ‘showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory' (Matt. 4:8). The variety of instruments and weapons that Satan will use from the world is innumerable. At other times, Satan seeks assistance from ourselves. We are not like Christ when Satan came to tempt him. Jesus declared that Satan 'had nothing in him' (John 14:30). It is otherwise with us. Satan has in us an agreeable party within our very own breasts for most of his purposes (James 1: 14-15). This is how he tempted Judas. He appealed to his lust in providing thirty pieces of silver. He appealed to Judas' own corruption, for he was covetous and a thief. The ways and means of temptation, and the causes of them, are so inexpressibly large and various it is impossible to organize them in a systematic way. To attempt it would be an endless task. Temptation, then, in general is any thing, and for any reason, that exerts a force of influence to seduce and draw the mind and heart of man from the obedience, which God requires of him, to sin at any level.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
John Owen, Works, VI:95-96
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.