Steps to overcoming temptation
John Flavel
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Steps from temptation to sin 1. There is the irritation of the object, or that power it has to provoke our corrupt nature; which is either done by the real presence of the object, or by speculation when the object (though absent) is held out by the imagination before the soul. |
Steps to resisting temptation and sin 1. There is the mediation on the object, or that power it has to provoke our new nature; which is done when the object (though absent) is held out by the imagination before the soul. |
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2. Then follows the motion of the appetite, which is provoked by the fancy representing it as a sensual good. |
2. Then follows the motion of the senses, which are provoked by the fancy representing it as a spiritual good. |
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2. Then follows the motion of the appetite, which is provoked by the fancy representing it as a sensual good. |
2. Then follows the motion of the appetite, which is provoked by the fancy representing it as a sensual good. |
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iv. Next follows the election, or choice of the will. |
iv. Next follows the election, or choice of the will. |
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5. And lastly, the desire, or full engagement of the will to it. |
5. And lastly, the desire, or full engagement of the will to it. |
The steps into temptation
1. There is the irritation of the object, or that power it has to provoke our corrupt nature; which is either done by the real presence of the object, or by speculation when the object (though absent) is held out by the imagination before the soul.
2. Then follows the motion of the appetite, which is provoked by the fancy representing it as a sensual good.
iii. Then there is a consultation in the mind about the best means of accomplishing it.
iv. Next follows the election, or choice of the will.
5. And lastly, the desire, or full engagement of the will to it.
The steps to resist temptation
All this may be done in a few minutes, for the debates of the soul are quick and soon ended: when it comes thus far, the heart is won, Satan has entered victoriously and displayed his colours upon the walls of that royal fort; but, had the heart been well guarded at first, it had never come to this other wise
temptation had been stopped in the first or second act. And indeed there it is stopped easily; for it is in the motion of a soul tempted to sin, as in the motion of a stone falling from the brow of a hill it is easily stopped at first, but when once it is set in motion "it acquires strength by descending
From "On Keeping the Heart" by John Flavel