Arguing Quote by John Owen
“The Scripture abounds in commands and cautions for our utmost diligence in our search and inquiry as to whether we are made partakers of Christ or not, or whether His Spirit dwells in us or not-which argue both the difficulty of attaining an assured confidence herein, as also the danger of our being mistaken, and yet the certainty of a good issue upon the diligent and regular use of means to that purpose.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Works of John Owen, 1656
The passage stresses diligent self‑examination to determine if one truly shares in Christ and feels the Spirit, warning of both difficulty and error, yet promising a good outcome through careful, regular practice.
In simple terms: Check if you truly belong to Christ and feel the Spirit, using careful, regular practice.
Key Takeaway
Diligently examine your faith.
Themes
faith
spirituality
self‑examination
assurance
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
devotional
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- Bible study
- spiritual direction
- church membership
- confession
Key Concepts
Christian theology
spiritual discernment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know your spiritual state?
- What practices guard against self‑deception?
A Different Perspective
Even with diligence, certainty may remain elusive; false assurance can arise.
