A dear friend of mine gave me one of the following booklets which I just began reading: Killing Sin Habits, by Stuart Scott.
I found a review on that book and another booklet today, and I wanted to blog it because posts related to sin and temptation are frequently read from this blog.
In the following review, Pastor Dave provided an overview and critique that may move some readers to examine these booklets for help.
Published by Pastor Dave Online
There is an unbelievable spiritual war within the human heart. All Christians can cry out with the apostle Paul, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:5). Yet, such frustration should not lead us to apathy in the battle against our internal sinful tendencies. Paul also commands that we must “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you” (Col. 3:5a). To help us to that end both Stuart Scott and Mark Shaw have written simple guides to the battle with indwelling sin. Understanding Temptation and Killing Sin Habits both serve as spiritual guides to our sin struggle, yet only one offers the needed practical help.
Booklets are invaluable resources. There are times where a simple, concise introduction to subject is needed. Booklets can offer some basic information, re-orientation, and encouragement in manageable and punctuated form. Yet, obviously, booklets have their shortcomings. There is only so much that can be discussed in the space afforded to a booklet, and often only simplistic explorations can be developed. In the case of Mark Shaw’s Understanding Temptation those shortcomings are noticeable. It’s not that Shaw’s work is poor, it’s not. He has written a wonderful Biblical introduction to the subject of temptation, focusing particularly on John’s expression “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Shaw walks readers through the details of these individual descriptors, observing what kind of temptation they offer, how they each uniquely cloud the character of God, and how Christ offers us a better response then surrender to these temptations. The brief booklet, sitting at only 34 pages, is loaded with Scriptural references. Furthermore, Mark’s counselor heart pours forth; it feels at times like Mark is sitting across from the reader giving them real heart-felt counsel about temptation.
The booklet, however, does not offer much in the way of real practical help in fighting sin. The spiritual truths are all there, and we should expect nothing less from such a wise Biblical counselor as Shaw. Yet, many Christians will know these truths. There remains, nonetheless, a struggle to implement and apply them. We continue to cry out with Paul over our own inner confusion, and need strategies for saying “no” to ungodliness and “yes” to righteousness. Even Mark’s passing example of alcoholism simply suggests alcoholics need to stop loving alcohol and start loving God more. That may be true, but it’s not much in the way of serious counsel. It’s not that I believe Mark doesn’t have practical help, I am sure he does. The booklet format, however, simply does not afford him space to go into great depth with a battle plan. The practical counsel is either missing or simplistic (his exploration of the “antidotes” to each temptation on pages 27-30 is very short and generic).
In contrast to this work is Stuart Scott’s booklet Killing Sin Habits: Conquering Sin with Radical Faith. Like Shaw, Scott explores the cycle of temptation. He notes the power of habitual sin, the struggle to say “no,” and the patterns of behavior that accompany it and set up our failures. For Scott, sin is challenged and overcome by the dual swords of “mortification” and “vivification.” Or, in the more natural words of Paul, to “put off” sin habits, and “put on” godly habits (Eph. 4:22-24). Scott prioritizes “exercising daily faith” as the means to fighting temptation and kill sin habits. Like Shaw, Scott’s theology is sound and full. His understanding of the gospel, of the perversions of sanctification (mysticism, pietism, antinomianism, legalism, etc.), and of the Christian life are all touched on in this short work (74 pages). The difference, however, between the two works, is Scott’s discussion of practical application.
Chapter 9 in particular seeks to give tangible help in applying the principles of mortification and vivification. He remarks:
It wouldn’t do much good to run a foot race with a 20 pound sack of potatoes on your back! Likewise, to realize a true pursuit of Christ and victory over sin, it is important to consider some personal hindrances and practical applications concerning your own particular sin struggle. (57)
He offers readers, then, an annotated list of hindrances and applications, complete with Scriptural references, and promotes confession and repentance where appropriate. Yet this is not the only place in the book where Scott offers practical help. Throughout the work he is commenting on application, touching on the details of life. His work is simple yet instructive.
There can be a temptation sometimes within Biblical Counseling to offer lots of spiritual guidance and overlook the practical help. It’s not that it is endemic to the field itself, but it is common enough that it concerns me. The difference between these two works in informative because it reminds us of the need to not only point people to the spiritual truths they need to grow, but also to seek to help them apply these truths in daily living. I can recommend both booklets, as they both speak great truth and give important instruction. Yet, only Scott’s book gives us the help we need to apply the truths.
At the following link, Pastor Dave’s works, below, are live links:
https://pastordaveonline.org/writings/
Here are some of the writings I’ve done around the Web:
“Biblical Counseling, Addictions, and the Body of Christ” at The Biblical Counseling Coalition
“The Key To Any Effective Ministry” at The Gospel Coalition
“Counseling People Struggling with Obsessions and Compulsions” at The Biblical Counseling Coalition
“Sin and Biochemical Brokenness” at Servants of Grace
“Pornopoly” at The Gospel Coalition
Addiction and the Church at Christ and Pop Culture
“Scary Mercy” at The Gospel Coalition
“The Value of a Tired Soul” at The Gospel Coalition
Small Groups, Big Impact at Leadership Journal
“Hipster Christianity”: Did You Know That You’re A Hipster? at Christ and Pop Culture
What Christians Are Saying About My Tattoos, And How I Am Responding at Christ and Pop Culture
Superman Pastors Are Bound To Fail at The Gospel Coalition
Overcoming 5 Types of Anger at Crosswalk
Is Your Church A Recovery Culture Church at The Gospel Coalition
Romantic Love Is Not Enough at The Gospel Coalition
Anxiety and Humility at The Biblical Counseling Coalition
Integrating Counseling and Discipleship in the Local Church at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Blog
Four Frameworks for Fighting Fear at RPM Ministries Blog
Trauma and the Significance of Meaning at The Biblical Counseling Coalition
Prayer and the Harsh Husband at ChrisMoles.org
The Challenges of a Church-Based Addiction Ministry at ERLC
Why Addicts Must Learn to Practice Honesty at ERLC