In reading John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation, I came across this sweet quotation. Owen is arguing with someone who says he combats his lusts with a reminder that God’s law will condemn him at the end of his life. To that person he says,

“Yea, know that this reserve will not long hold out. If your lust has driven you from stronger gospel forts, it will speedily prevail against this also. Do not suppose that such considerations will deliver you, when you have voluntarily given up to your enemy those helps and means of preservation which have a thousand times their strengt*. Rest assuredly in this, that unless you recover yourself with speed from this condition, the thing that you fear will come upon you. What gospel principles do not, legal motives cannot do.”

I love the way Owen describes the truths of the gospel as gospel forts. I want to live in these forts. I need to stay in these forts everyday. It is only in these forts that I can stay protected against the temptation of my flesh, the allure of the world, comparison of others, the discouragement from failure, and the guilt of sin.

May God keep our souls in His gospel forts.