Saturday, October 17, 2009

More from John Owen in Triumph Over Temptation

Weakening Deceit by Meditation and Prayer

It is the duty of the mind to keep the soul in a constant, holy concern for God and His grace. This is the essence of obedience to the gospel...But there are some godly duties that are particularly important in weakening and subduing the power of indwelling sin in the believers. These are first prayer and then meditation...By meditation I mean meditation on what respect and relevance there is between the Word and our own heart, so that they stay close together in conformity to each other...Thus meditation has the same intent as prayer, which is to bring our mind into a disposition that answers in all things to the mind the will of God. (82-3)


Rules for Meditation

  1. Meditate about God with God - "When we think about God and His excellencies, glory, majesty, love, and goodness, let it be done in such a way that we are speaking directly to God, in a spirit of deep humility and dependence before Him. This will fix the mind and draw out one thing after the other that gives glory to God in a fitting manner. This will affect the soul to exercise a holy admiration of God and a delight in Him that is acceptable to God. Meditate as you would pray or give praise, speaking with God." (83)
  2. Meditate on the Word in the Word of God - "Look to God to find help, guidance, and direction in the discovery of His mind and will within the Scriptures." (83)
  3. Endeavor to Meditate Frequently - "When we come short of prolonged sustained concentration in meditation, let us make up by frequency in meditation." (83)

"Although there are other spiritual duties, both meditation and prayer particularly oppose indwelling sin. They are always designing the destruction of sin." (84)

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