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Standing Firm: Remaining Strong in His Strength
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June 25, 2026
Standing Firm by Graham Beynon is an updated edition of his earlier book Know Your Enemy, now with a more attractive cover and a handful of small revisions.
I first read Know Your Enemy when it was released in 2021 and found it a helpful reminder of what it means to view Satan and his schemes through a biblical lens. Interestingly, on this second reading I almost put the book down in chapter 3 — something I don’t remember feeling the first time.
More on that shortly.
As Beynon explains, “The whole point of this book is to help us see how Satan works, resist him and stand firm.” (p.23)
Two chapters particularly stood out to me: Chapter 3: Falling Two Ways and Chapter 5: Sugar Coated Poison.
Chapter 3 explores how sin can be understood in two categories: vandalism/vanity and negligence/sloth. One involves breaking God’s commands; the other involves failing to keep them. Beynon writes, “…we must be alert to both sides of sin in our life, aware that we can fall two ways. I think the overreaching blinks much more brightly on our radar, setting off our alarms, whereas the opting out can slide past unnoticed.” I agree. It is far easier to congratulate ourselves for avoiding obvious wrongdoing while becoming complacent about the quieter ways we fail to obey.
However, this was also the point at which I nearly stopped reading. On page 46, a table lists examples of sins — gossiping, berating, rudeness, lying — and among them appears “being forgetful.”
As a woman in midlife, this hit a nerve. Forgetfulness, or memory lapses are not something I can control. I can walk into a room and forget what I was going to do; I can blank on the name of a household object, or forget a word mid sentence. I do not believe this kind of forgetfulness is sinful, and my immediate reaction was to put the book down and voice my objections to those around me.
Because I’m not someone who gives up on a book easily, I kept reading, hoping Beynon would clarify his meaning.
In short, I don’t think he fully does, beyond suggesting that forgetfulness can be negligent and can damage relationships.
Over the following week I had several conversations about this, which in one sense shows that Beynon succeeded in prompting deeper reflection.
Do I believe all forgetfulness is deliberate and sinful? No. But I have come to see that some forgetfulness is avoidable, negligent and can indeed harm relationships. When a friend shares an important appointment and I promise to pray, I know my forgetful nature, so I set a reminder. When a family member finds a particular date difficult because of grief, I note it down so I can reach out. Forgetfulness itself is not sinful, but it should not become an excuse for failing to love others well.
Chapter 5 is another strong section, examining how we can develop a distorted view of sin and how temptation follows a familiar pattern of desire, disobedience and death. Beynon also highlights how the devil tailors his methods to each individual, using the times, tools and weaknesses most likely to trip us up. If we ignore the reality of an enemy who knows our vulnerabilities, we will fail to recognise his schemes.
I know when I am finding a book helpful when I make multiple underlines or notes. That is the case with this book. Some key quotes include:
The story of the gospel is Jesus coming to die in our place to bring us forgiveness; at the same time, it is the story of Jesus defeating Satan and rescuing us from his power. p17
This victory has been achieved already through his death on the cross and resurrection, but is yet to be fully realised. p19
For now, though, while Satan is defeated and those who believe in Jesus are in his kingdom of light, the battle isn’t over. p20
Believers are encouraged to stand firm. They will win the victory, or triumph, over Satan. But they do so by staying faithful to Jesus no matter what. p21
Seeing our sin more clearly makes us celebrate Jesus more fully. p37
We fight against Satan’s lies by fighting for true faith. p37
Transgressing God’s law and falling short of God’s law are two main branches of sin. They can also be termed “vandalism” and “negligence”. Vandalism throws off God, grasping for what he’s forbidden. Negligence gives up on who God’s called us to be. Vandalism fights God and is defiant. Negligence runs away from God and avoids responsibility. p53
As those made in God’s image, we can wreck his world through moral vandalism, where we break his laws, and through moral negligence, where we don’t live up to who we are supposed to be. p54
…we must be alert to both sides of sin in our life, aware that we can fall two ways. I think the overreaching blinks much more brightly on our radar, setting off our alarms, whereas the opting out can slide past unnoticed. p55
He will challenge us over what is wrong, and he will call us to what is right. We need to hear his challenge to stop in those areas that are wrong, but we must also hear his call to step up and live out his renewed image in us. p58
Christian discipleship is like gardening in that respect: we must weed out what is wrong, while planting, feeding and nurturing what is good. Discipleship doesn’t mean a bare flower bed; our lives are not good just because they have no transgressions. We must picture the
beautiful plants and flowers that should be there instead; our vision is the rich and full picture of what God calls us to in each area of life. p59-60
The fight against Satan is the fight to see sin for what it is: sugar-coated poison. While it looks attractive, it will kill you. p76
So a trial in which we can grow can become a temptation in which we sin. Under the strain I can grow stronger, or I can give in. p78
We need to know Satan has us mapped out. He knows you. He knows your habits and your hobbies. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He has you profiled. And he has a game plan for you. p86
Reminding ourselves that sin kills us is one of the greatest ways to combat it. Our greatest danger is that we forget and are deceived. p90
…be careful how you think of God. Negative thoughts about him are the breeding ground for idols, but thinking positively about God is fertile soil for faithfulness. p110
It is obedience that is the healthy, life-giving choice; sin is a step of wounding, self-harming destruction. Sin is the parasitic life-sucker. p115-116
I first read Know Your Enemy when it was released in 2021 and found it a helpful reminder of what it means to view Satan and his schemes through a biblical lens. Interestingly, on this second reading I almost put the book down in chapter 3 — something I don’t remember feeling the first time.
More on that shortly.
As Beynon explains, “The whole point of this book is to help us see how Satan works, resist him and stand firm.” (p.23)
Two chapters particularly stood out to me: Chapter 3: Falling Two Ways and Chapter 5: Sugar Coated Poison.
Chapter 3 explores how sin can be understood in two categories: vandalism/vanity and negligence/sloth. One involves breaking God’s commands; the other involves failing to keep them. Beynon writes, “…we must be alert to both sides of sin in our life, aware that we can fall two ways. I think the overreaching blinks much more brightly on our radar, setting off our alarms, whereas the opting out can slide past unnoticed.” I agree. It is far easier to congratulate ourselves for avoiding obvious wrongdoing while becoming complacent about the quieter ways we fail to obey.
However, this was also the point at which I nearly stopped reading. On page 46, a table lists examples of sins — gossiping, berating, rudeness, lying — and among them appears “being forgetful.”
As a woman in midlife, this hit a nerve. Forgetfulness, or memory lapses are not something I can control. I can walk into a room and forget what I was going to do; I can blank on the name of a household object, or forget a word mid sentence. I do not believe this kind of forgetfulness is sinful, and my immediate reaction was to put the book down and voice my objections to those around me.
Because I’m not someone who gives up on a book easily, I kept reading, hoping Beynon would clarify his meaning.
In short, I don’t think he fully does, beyond suggesting that forgetfulness can be negligent and can damage relationships.
Over the following week I had several conversations about this, which in one sense shows that Beynon succeeded in prompting deeper reflection.
Do I believe all forgetfulness is deliberate and sinful? No. But I have come to see that some forgetfulness is avoidable, negligent and can indeed harm relationships. When a friend shares an important appointment and I promise to pray, I know my forgetful nature, so I set a reminder. When a family member finds a particular date difficult because of grief, I note it down so I can reach out. Forgetfulness itself is not sinful, but it should not become an excuse for failing to love others well.
Chapter 5 is another strong section, examining how we can develop a distorted view of sin and how temptation follows a familiar pattern of desire, disobedience and death. Beynon also highlights how the devil tailors his methods to each individual, using the times, tools and weaknesses most likely to trip us up. If we ignore the reality of an enemy who knows our vulnerabilities, we will fail to recognise his schemes.
I know when I am finding a book helpful when I make multiple underlines or notes. That is the case with this book. Some key quotes include:
The story of the gospel is Jesus coming to die in our place to bring us forgiveness; at the same time, it is the story of Jesus defeating Satan and rescuing us from his power. p17
This victory has been achieved already through his death on the cross and resurrection, but is yet to be fully realised. p19
For now, though, while Satan is defeated and those who believe in Jesus are in his kingdom of light, the battle isn’t over. p20
Believers are encouraged to stand firm. They will win the victory, or triumph, over Satan. But they do so by staying faithful to Jesus no matter what. p21
Seeing our sin more clearly makes us celebrate Jesus more fully. p37
We fight against Satan’s lies by fighting for true faith. p37
Transgressing God’s law and falling short of God’s law are two main branches of sin. They can also be termed “vandalism” and “negligence”. Vandalism throws off God, grasping for what he’s forbidden. Negligence gives up on who God’s called us to be. Vandalism fights God and is defiant. Negligence runs away from God and avoids responsibility. p53
As those made in God’s image, we can wreck his world through moral vandalism, where we break his laws, and through moral negligence, where we don’t live up to who we are supposed to be. p54
…we must be alert to both sides of sin in our life, aware that we can fall two ways. I think the overreaching blinks much more brightly on our radar, setting off our alarms, whereas the opting out can slide past unnoticed. p55
He will challenge us over what is wrong, and he will call us to what is right. We need to hear his challenge to stop in those areas that are wrong, but we must also hear his call to step up and live out his renewed image in us. p58
Christian discipleship is like gardening in that respect: we must weed out what is wrong, while planting, feeding and nurturing what is good. Discipleship doesn’t mean a bare flower bed; our lives are not good just because they have no transgressions. We must picture the
beautiful plants and flowers that should be there instead; our vision is the rich and full picture of what God calls us to in each area of life. p59-60
The fight against Satan is the fight to see sin for what it is: sugar-coated poison. While it looks attractive, it will kill you. p76
So a trial in which we can grow can become a temptation in which we sin. Under the strain I can grow stronger, or I can give in. p78
We need to know Satan has us mapped out. He knows you. He knows your habits and your hobbies. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He has you profiled. And he has a game plan for you. p86
Reminding ourselves that sin kills us is one of the greatest ways to combat it. Our greatest danger is that we forget and are deceived. p90
…be careful how you think of God. Negative thoughts about him are the breeding ground for idols, but thinking positively about God is fertile soil for faithfulness. p110
It is obedience that is the healthy, life-giving choice; sin is a step of wounding, self-harming destruction. Sin is the parasitic life-sucker. p115-116
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