A true proposition to a false conclusion

A few more quotes from a book comprised of material from 3 of John Owen's treatises: Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656), Of Temptation (1658), and The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin (1667). The book, Triumph Over Temptation, was edited by James M. Houston.


In regards to how sin diverts the mind by emphasizing "cheap grace":

Here then is where the deceit of sin intervenes. It separates the doctrine of grace from its purpose. It persuades us to dwell upon the notion of grace and diverts our attention from the influence that grace gives to achieve its proper application in holy lives. From the doctrine of assured pardon of sin, it insinuates a carelessness for sin. God in Christ makes us a true proposition, but Satan with sin makes a false conclusion. (79)

The great affect of the gospel's wisdom and grace keeps the heart always in deep humility, in abhorrence to sin, and in self-abasement. This is the test of the real efficacy of the gospel: It keeps the heart humble, lowly, sensible to sin, and broken on that account. The Spirit of grace moves us to repentance and teaches us to detest sin. (79-80)

Sin deceitfully diverts Christians from a consideration of sin's true nature and real danger by several means:

1. "First, the soul-needing frequently to return to the gospel grace because of guilt-allows grace to become commonplace and ordinary. Having found a good medicine for its wound, it then takes it for granted." (80)
2. "Second, the deceitfulness of sin takes advantage of the doctrine of grace to abuse it, stretching the soul's sense of liberty beyond the limit that God assigns. Some never feel free from legalism unless they indulge in sensuality and plunge into its depths. Sin pleads that certain limits are unnecessary. "Shouldn't the gospel relieve one of such narrow bounds?" they argue. But does this mean as if we should live as if the gospel was unnecessary or as thought pardon of sin was nonessential? (80)
3. "Third, in times of temptation, the deceitfulness of sin goes to such lengths as to actually plead the need to sin, in order to show the reality of the gospel of grace...The manner of vigilance against sin is over scrupulous, it argues...The mind thus becomes careless about sin, and the sense of sin's vileness is lost." (80-1)