To be honest, I could read theological literature all day. I could study it all night. I love it. But why do I love it? Do I love it because I want to love God more?

At just the perfect time in my life, I needed this John Owen quote. I read it just last night in his "Overcoming Sin and Temptation", and need to read it again and again for the rest of my life. One of my greatest temptations and greatest sinful motivations is to study to impress; to study to be esteemed highly in the eyes of others. How I need God's grace to change my motivations!


'So it is with many scholars. They find themselves esteemed and favored for their learning. This takes hold of the pride and ambition of their hearts. Hence they set themselves to study with all diligence day and night-a good thing in itself; but they do it that they might satisfy the thoughts and words of men, wherein they delight; and so in all they do they make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.
It is true, God oftentimes brings light out of this darkness and turns things to a better issue. After, it may be, a man has studied sundry years, with an eye upon his lusts- his ambition, pride, and vain-glory- rising early and going to bed late, to give them satisfaction, God comes in with his grace, [and] turns the soul to himself.' (p. 189)