Battles Christians Face

by Vaughan Roberts

Vaughan Roberts explores seven of the difficulties Christians may have to endure and positive ways to deal with them. The Bible warns of a mixed experience in this life. We live in a fallen world and have to fight continually against earthly temptations, but we do so as heaven's citizens, already enjoying some of salvation's great blessings. Vaughan Roberts calls us to realism. Christians will struggle with battles such as image, lust and doubt. But he also urges us to seek strength from the Bible, by the Spirit and through God's people. We are weaker than we often acknowledge, but God is far stronger than we can possibly imagine. Vaughan Roberts is Rector of St Ebbe's, Oxford. He has worked extensively with students and is a frequent speaker at university Christian Unions, and at conventions such as Word Alive.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Religion, Christianity, Sexuality, Christian Non Fiction

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Vaughan came to faith as he read through Matthew’s Gospel for himself as a teenager. After studying law at Cambridge University and a brief spell doing student ministry in South Africa, he moved to Oxford to study Theology at Wycliffe Hall and has lived in the city ever since. In 1991 he joined the staff of St Ebbe’s Church to lead the student ministry and since 1998 he has been Rector. He is also the Director of the Proclamation Trust, an organisation that encourages and equips Bible teachers. In his spare time Vaughan writes books and plays cricket and golf.

see also Vaughan Roberts' sister Clare Heath-Whyte

Reviews

[Miriam Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaughn has a very sensible, well reasoned outlook on many problems Christians face that aren't even addressed in most churches. This book could be so valuable for so many who haven't found the courage to share their struggles with other believers yet.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short and informative book, Vaughn Roberts takes his readers through 8 different challenges Christians may encounter on a daily basis: image, lust, guilt, doubt, depression, pride, homosexuality, and keeping fit. Of course, Roberts recognizes that there may be several other sins or struggles Christians may face, but these are 8 of the ones he personally has struggled in and experienced. Using contemporary experiences to match with Scripture, Roberts takes us through an overview of each topic providing helpful ways that we can combat these types of temptations. He is very quick to point out that things like doubt, depression, and SSA are common occurrences and we should not so much focus on our lack of faith as drawing into Christ for His wisdom and strength. A bit of a dry read at times, but overall fairly enjoyable and quick (I read it in transit on my holidays).

[Rohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a helpful little book, especially helped by reading it in Vaughan's quaint English accent in my head.
I loved the chapter on doubt, with the encouragement that we must nurture our faith and respond to doubts with prayer, perspective (looking to Jesus more than our doubts) and perseverance (faith is hard, it is faith, but eventually it will become sight).

The last chapter on staying spiritually fresh was good too, with the gentle reminder of the importance of quiet times, prayer, Christian community and killing sin. To think much of Christ, not our works, feelings, circumstances.

[Daniel Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful book, definitely one to read again some time.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chaplain of Christ Church, Duesseldorf, Germany, recommended this book, and I am happy to have read it. Roberts does a fine job addressing temptations common to us all. He pulls no punches. We are called to holiness. This book is a good reminder of our high calling in Christ.

[Josh Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this even more than I thought I would. Every chapter is relevant, and some chapters (I'm thinking particularly of the one addressing Guilt) moved me to tears with their understanding of the struggle, and then their clear explanation of how the gospel so perfectly addresses it. Having each passage essentially be a loose exposition on a relevant passage works really well. Vaughan's own vulnerability and honesty about these fiery topics, along with his stories and examples, acknowledgement of suffering but uncompromising grasp and clear teaching of scripture are so, so helpful. One I'd do well to refer back to in future, and the sort of book I'd recommended to pretty much any Christian, especially a young one.

[Robin Bittick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and very readable book about some of the battles Christians go through. In each chapter, Rev. Roberts begins with a passage of scripture, and then relates it to a specific type of battle common to Christians (image, lust, guilt, doubt, depression, pride, homosexuality). In doing so, he writes understanding how Christians are tempted and and often fail. However, he also encourages Christians who face such failures by reminding us that God loves us at the same time he condemns the sin.

I especially appreciate his attempts to understand what Christians go through rather than offer impersonal answers to very personal and complex situations.

[Gavin Felgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I read years ago, before lending it to a friend who held on to it for a long time. Since I finally got it back, I thought I'd read it again.

The book lists a number of struggles that you might face as a Christian that can distract you from your beliefs, including lust, depression and pride. In each case, Vaughan Roberts uses examples from the Bible to explain what the theological view on each issue is and also explains how they can be overcome.

I enjoyed reading it again - I find Vaughan Roberts' books really easy to read, and I should probably read more of them.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful one-chapter summaries of how to approach some of the most common battles we experience in the Christian life.

Profitable to read from start to finish but would also lend itself to recommending someone facing a particular struggle read just the relevant chapter.

A good read for teens too.

Only disappointment/oversight - in chapter on depression, in terms of seeking outside help for persistent depression, the advice given is to see your doctor but there is no mention of also seeing your pastor.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book dealing with the realities of the Christian life.

The book deals with eight areas: Image, Lust, Guilt, Doubt, Depression, Pride, Homosexuality and Keeping Spiritually Fresh.

The last chapter has an important warning against allowing a form of Legalism to enter in how we conduction our "Quiet Time". As one who suffered because of this I was glad to see the alert given.

There is much to be learnt from each chapter and it is a book that more than repays the time taken to read it.

It is a book that I will return too again if God spares me.

[Steve Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and honest book detailing some of the personal issues that face Christians who are trying to follow Jesus. I read this, a chapter a week, with a friend and I think we both found it very helpful, realistic and it challenged us to raise our game.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes you through some common challenges, in a really relatable and real way, acknowleding the problems, but also offering Biblical support in how to navigate them

[Daniel Pass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writer and speaker. Very honest. Great practical thoughts. Great especially with topics of homosexuality and lust as these are clearly issues he has struggled with.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most of Vaughan Roberts' books and have really enjoyed them. This one for me was more a 2.5 than a 3 I think. It tackles some big issues that Christians do face- doubt, pride, guilt, depression, homosexuality but for me there was far too much for one small (144 pages) book to tackle so it felt like most were very briefly touched on. I did find the final chapter "Keeping spiritually fresh" a good reminder as to ways of keeping going and not giving up with a few helpful tips.

Roberts is not afraid of drawing on personal experiences with difficult situations which I think adds to the reading of the book but all in all I much prefer some of his other books and would particularly recommend God's Big Picture.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great and personal book on the difficulties of a Christian in an increasingly hostile secularistic world. He explains a Biblical point if view very simply and very humbly. A definite recommendation for anyone struggling with the issues covered in this book!

[David Cowpar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to a friend while we worked in the now closed Limerick Christian Bookshop in 2009ish.

It's a good book, I liked what it covered and it talked briefly on a number of topics.