Moral Temptation and Moralism

From English Church Conference 2007 (Dr. John Coe)

MORAL TEMPTATION - to use Christian works/effort to overcome guilt/shame/failure

MORALISM - to deal with guilt/shame by human effort

1st human response to sin = cover self (fig leaves); God came, but Adam/Eve hid

Inherited corruption --> shame --> cover
Inherited guilt --> fear --> hide

Being moral is the best cover; covering/hiding are habits of the heart

- You're a moralist if, whenever convicted of sin, you say, "I'll work on it. I'll do better." This is as opposed to "I can't do it. That's why I need Christ." 

- I am not the vine; i.e. I cannot do it on my own. "Apart from me, you can do nothing."