Indwelling Sin in Believers
by John Owen
John Owen dissects the remnant of sin that continues to reside in every Christian after conversion, arguing from Romans 7:21 that sin operates as an active inward law bent on evil. He traces how this principle seats itself in the heart, works by deceit, and stands in constant enmity against God, all while pressing the believer toward watchfulness and dependence on grace.
Based on The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of the Remainders of Indwelling Sin in Believers (1668), Works of John Owen, Vol. 6
Puritan quotes
Quotes by John Owen
“It is a powerful and effectual indwelling principle, inclining and pressing unto actions agreeable and suitable unto its own nature.”
“The more men sin, the more are they inclined unto sin.”
“To let it alone, is to let it grow; not to conquer it, is to be conquered by it.”
“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”
“He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God.”
“Indwelling sin always abides whilst we are in this world; therefore it is always to be mortified.”
“Sin will be always acting, if we be not always mortifying, we are lost creatures.”
“Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts.”
“A man may easier see without eyes, speak without a tongue, than truly mortify one sin without the Spirit.”
“To kill sin is the work of living men; where men are dead, sin is alive, and will live.”
