What I think and feel are not the greatest gauges. For instance in my opinion there is a type of person who mows their lawn in very few clothes thinking they are really cute when they are not. If it is a woman she may be in a bathing suit or sports bra; if a man it is short shorts, a mesh shirt, or no shirt. The only reason I think thus of such persons is because I know I have caught myself at times thinking I was pretty cool only to look back and realize I was a goob. How do we know if we stand in genuine peace with God or are only self deluding our own souls? Here is a rehash of the four ways John Owen gives in “The Mortification of Sin“.
1) Men certainly speak peace to themselves when their so doing is not attended with the greatest detestation imaginable of that sin in reference whereunto they speak peace to themselves, with abhorency of themselves for it.
Sam likes to eat facial tissue and toilet paper. Last night Bethany was in her chair reading her bible and I was in my chair reading John Paton and Sam thought we were so engrossed in our reading that we wouldn’t notice his swapping a used tissue sitting on an end table. He quickly put it down, sorry only that he had been caught. Occasionally I will come down from my shower in the morning to find the tissue box on the floor with a slobbery tissue hanging out the box. Yeah, I’m sure you will now never again use a tissue when you visit our casa. Do we want forgiveness while still harboring a love and a desire for sin in our heart? Not that sin is no longer enticing, but is there a hatred for sin now alongside it?
2) When men measure out peace to themselves upon the conclusions that their convictions and rational principles will carry them out unto, this is a false peace and will not abide.
Is the act of repentance nothing more than a mental, cerebral exercise whereby we follow a formula we knkow we are supposed to follow? Is there true spiritual conviction, or are you simply wanting to escape a guilty conscience and feel better about yourself, looking for a prescription so that you can go on about your own business? Do you want to cease sinning, kill the sin, make right your wrongs, and walk in obedience, or do you merely desire a relieve conscience?
3) We speak peace to ourselves when we do it slightly.
“Oops…I’m sorry, I won’t do it again”, said with a slight grin and tiny laugh after “accidently” hurting our friend. Do we see our sins as cosmic treason or comical oopses?
4) Whoever speaks peace to himself upon any one account, and at the same time hath another evil of no less importance lying upon his spirit, about which he hath had no dealing with God, that man cries “Peace” when there is none.
When you cry out in repentance seeking forgiveness and peace, do you hate all sin as sin? Do you see God as holy and long to obey Him perfectly in all your life or only wish to get rid of this nagging sin because of its irritating side effects?
Do you seek peace with God so that you may fellowship with him, or only peace within your own soul?
No Other Boast 