John Flavel (–1691)

This is a great work from the puritan era. John Flavel is a true physician of the soul. He diagnoses various sinful, natural, and religious fears with deftness and clarity. He outlines ways in which God uses fear to bring about his purposes along with the negative personal effects fear can bring into the Christian life. The majority of the second portion of the book is composed of biblical remedies for fear in the Christian life. This is the true meat of the book and the most helpful section show more overall. For counselors, Flavel’s entire body of work is especially good, and this book is without exception. All believers will pick up something that can benefit their own soul, especially the healthy remedies laid out in the latter half of the book.

In today’s world there are a lot of names floating around for fears that are labeled sinful according to the Scriptures. Many are innately accepted as givens by the mental health world. Various phobias, anxieties, and worries pose as disorders or diseases. Their objective existence, or lack thereof, is not in view inside Flavel’s book directly, but he rightly brings the theme of the fear of God into consideration at many turns. This point is his overarching emphasis. The fear of God is a fear that drives out other fears. Flavel’s remedies are not one dimensional, however. There are twelve remedies he would prescribe to the sinfully fearful and he unpacks each in the pages that follow. Some include the study of the covenant of grace (Ps. 118:6, Rom. 8:31), consideration of the misery of sinful fear, mortifying affections to the world, imitating faithful saints, recording experiences of God’s faithfulness, and subjecting carnal reasoning to faith. If these seem bland at first glance, read and watch Flavel bring each remedy alive.

He closes by anticipating potential objections. For the man or woman who believes their natural disposition of tenderness and sensitivity inclines them to fear and anxiety, Flavel simply says this, “It is a great mistake to think that the strength of natural constitution can carry anyone through suffering for Christ...our ability to bear suffering does not come from nature, but grace” (114). Flavel pastored battle hardened Christians who were in danger of great suffering inflicted from the hands of the state. Today’s fear of man is paltry in comparison. Yet, however small or great one’s fear is, God’s remedies prove true and effective. He is a refuge, strength, and shield. Fear of God drives away all others. show less

Flavel is a shepherd of souls. This book is his exposition on Proverbs 4:23 which says, “Keep the heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life.” Just as a musical instrument requires constant tuning, so Flavel believes the heart also requires regular attention. He believes it is a perpetual work during all the days and seasons of a Christian’s life, for as long as the issues of life flow out of the heart, we are obliged to keep it. This business of keeping the heart is show more the great work of the Christian, he says.

He gives many exhortations and inducements toward that end, not content to leave his instruction without motivation to propel the believer toward this weighty business of heart watching. He mentions that a well kept heart frees us from burdensome diversions, helps us maintain liveliness and sweetness of communion with God, fits us for any condition or service God directs us to, provides us with a fountain of matter in prayer, helps us know the deep mysteries of Scripture, and furnishes us with the word which is the best preservative against sin.

He goes on to give counsel in specific seasons by which the Christian must especially keep, watch, and guard their own souls. These include times of prosperity, adversity, revenge, seasons of suffering, temptation, doubts, and death. In all, he walks through twelve directives for keeping the heart in various seasons of life.

Flavel also warns that Christians ought not allow the heart to be overrun with earthly business. The heart must be called to account frequently. Saints cannot afford to be a stranger to their own hearts and a well kept heart will enliven Christian conversation and sweeten fellowship with other believers.

I found Flavel’s chapter on keeping the heart during times of humble prosperity to be especially good. For believers living at the apex of wealth in the history of the world, keeping the heart during seasons of well being and prosperity can easily escape attention.

It is a commendable work and also free on the world wide web. show less

First two chapters are great. Third felt out of place. Nonetheless, this is an excellent little book on the importance of a right heart.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I admit I didn't recognize the author, and I almost planned to write that the book seemed written for academics and had a tone that held the reader distant from the subject matter. It wasn't until I came online planning to write a review that I realized the book was not a modern-day nonfiction. In my mind, that accounted for the difference in the tone of the book, so I gave it a second chance.

The basic idea is that it is okay to mourn but we shouldn't show more wallow in our sorrow--either letting that sorrow go on indefinitely or allowing it to drag us down to the point that it is our entire life. That said, I do think mourning takes a varying amount of time depending on the person and the relationship, but as long as one is moving toward healing/wholeness then he/she is probably on the right track.

I think I found the last chapter more helpful than some of the earlier chapters. show less