Indwelling Sin In Believers

Mid-levelBusy pastorsStrong recommendation
Author: John Owen
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Puritans

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.3/10

A bracing, sanctifying work that trains us to take sin seriously and cling to Christ.

Publication Date(s): 2021
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9781800402218
Devotional Richness: 8.7/10
We find searching spiritual depth that stirs hatred of sin and renewed love for Christ.
Theological Clarity: 8.5/10
We are given doctrinal clarity that keeps sanctification grounded in Christ and the Spirit’s work.
Helpfulness for Preaching: 8.6/10
We gain substantial help for preaching and pastoral care, especially in patterns of temptation and relapse.
Faithfulness to Scripture: 7.7/10
We see Scripture handled with seriousness and care, though the argument sometimes requires slow attention.
Depth and Challenge: 8.8/10
We are stretched, because Owen will not allow us to treat sin lightly or to excuse spiritual drift.
Overall Value: 7.6/10
We find it demanding but deeply worthwhile, best read in small sections with prayerful reflection.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
176 pages
Type
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.3 / 10
Strength
Unusually strong help for understanding and mortifying remaining sin.
Limitation
The density asks for patient reading, and it can feel heavy for those wanting a lighter devotional.

We come to Owen expecting seriousness, and we find it. He teaches us to face remaining sin with honesty, vigilance, and dependence on Christ.

This is not light reading, but it is deeply strengthening for those who want to grow in holiness without self deception.

Why Should We Read This Resource?

We are helped because Owen refuses to treat sin as a minor inconvenience. He shows how indwelling sin works, how it entangles affections and habits, and how it resists the life of faith.

We also learn how to fight without sliding into either despair or self righteousness. Owen presses us to take sin seriously, while keeping the believer’s hope anchored in Christ and the Spirit’s work.

For pastors, this gives weight to preaching and counselling. We gain categories for shepherding those who are weary of their own failures, and those who have learned to make peace with sin.

Closing Recommendation

We strongly recommend this to pastors and serious readers who want a deeper, more honest pursuit of holiness.


Where to buy
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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Commentary

Puritans

Bible Atlas

Reviewed by

An Expositor