Summary
John Bunyan identifies seven persistent spiritual afflictions of the Christian heart—unbelief, forgetfulness of Christ's mercy, legalistic tendencies, prayerlessness, neglect of watchfulness in prayer, murmuring contentment, and the inability to obey God's commands without sin—while emphasizing that awareness of these corruptions drives the believer toward dependence on Christ for relief and grace. This introspective meditation reflects Reformed understanding of remaining indwelling sin and the Christian's ongoing need for Christ's intercession and renewing work throughout the sanctification process.
I find to this day seven evils in my heart:
- Inclining to unbelief.
- Suddenly forgetting the love and mercy that Christ has shown to me.
- A leaning toward the works of the law.
- Wanderings and coldness in prayer.
- To forget to watch for my prayers to be answered.
- Aptness to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have.
- I can do none of those things which God commands me without sinning. Even though these things cause me great distress, the knowledge of them is good for me because I am inclined to look to my Lord where I find relief.
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