Monday, March 9, 2009

Mortifying Corruption

When you are to resist a temptation, or to mortify a corruption--do not go out in your own strength, but in the strength of Christ. Some go out to duty in the strength of their abilities; and go out against sin in the strength of their resolutions--and they both come home foiled. Alas! What are our resolutions, but like the green cords which bound Samson! A sinful heart will soon break these! Do as David when he was to go up against Goliath. He said, "I come to you in the name of the Lord!" So say to your Goliath lust, "I come to you in the name of Christ!" Then we conquer, when the Lion of the tribe of Judah marches before us! --Thomas Watson

2 comments:

TomG said...

I've been reading both Watson and Owen on sin and temptation. I'm amazed at how much attention they give to how NOT to approach mortification. And yet, I seem to have tried (and failed) with just about everything they mention - much to unlearn. Keen physicians of the soul, those Puritans.

Ken Stoll said...

amen. Hadn't run across much from Thomas Watson, sure enjoy the Chalmers and Spurgeon gems you share.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."