Fighting Satan: Knowing His Weaknesses, Strategies, and Defeat

by Joel R. Beeke

If you are a true believer, Satan hates you because you bear the image of Christ and because you were snatched from his power. You deserted Satan, and he wants you back. He wants to sift you like wheat. While we should not overestimate Satan’s power, to our peril we underestimate an enemy who is living, intelligent, resourceful, and cunning. Every Christian is in a battle that is fierce, spiritual, and necessary between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to know the enemy—his personality, his strategies, his weaknesses, and his defeat at Calvary and his final judgment. In a day when society has in many ways placed itself under Satan’s rule, when Satanism is flourishing in Western nations, when certain branches of the church are preoccupied with “deliverance ministries,” and when others deny the devil’s existence, Fighting Satan is a sober, practical perspective on this vital subject. Joel R. Beeke states, “We must know our enemy. . . . We must know how to withstand him and what spiritual weapons to take up against him. We must defeat him by faith through lives that bear fruit and spread the truth.” With questions for reflection and discussion at the close of each chapter, 'Fighting Satan' is ideal for group and individual Bible study. Table of Part One – Knowing the The Personality and History of Satan 1. Satan in the Bible 2. Satan in Church History, Today, and the Future Part Two – Knowing Satan’s Fighting Him Defensively and Offensively 3. Building an Unyielding Defense 4. Building an Attacking Offense Part Three – Knowing Satan’s His Devices and Their Remedies 5. Satan’s Strategies and Skill 6. Confronting Four Major Strategies of Satan Part Four – Knowing Satan’s Defeat in Our Personal Lives, Churches, and Nations 7. Our Challenge as Believers 8. Our Challenge as Church Members 9. Our Challenge as Citizens Joel R. Beeke (Ph.D. Westminster Theological Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, and author of numerous books. “Joel Beeke’s 'Fighting Satan' anchors in the bedrock of a noble exposition of the Christian life viewed as homo viator (the pilgrim traveler) embattled in a war with Satan at his heels. It is in the same line as John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, William Gurnall’s Christian in Complete Armour, and Thomas Brooks’s Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices. Succinct and deeply pastoral, Dr. Beeke’s little volume has all the marks of a Christian classic. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest and get ready to fight the good fight of faith. This will help you view the Celestial City and the assurance of Jesus Christ.” — Derek W. H. Thomas, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Robert Strong Professor of Systematic Theology and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Audiobook, Christianity, Counselling, Nonfiction

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

Reviews

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and biblical book on a subject which so often gets distorted.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, quick, and accessible read. As a collection of lectures put into book form, this is supremely helpful. I appreciate greatly Dr. Beeke's use of Puritan literature, and his down-to-earth tone. Demonology/Satanology is a topic that easily degenerates into fantastically bizarre verbiage/content. Dr. Beeke avoids that impulse splendidly, and provides the Church with a wonderful resource. I would highly recommend this work. The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book!

My favorite line is a quote from Thomas Brooks's "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" on page 86: "There is nothing in the world that renders a man more unlike to a saint, and more like to Satan, than to argue from mercy to sinful liberty; from divine goodness to licentiousness. This is devil's logic."

[Gabie Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made an impact on my heart.
Beeke covers the reality of spiritual warfare in the Christian life and how to truly fight it with "ordinary" Christian disciplines.
Highlights of the book included...
The story of the Scottish maid that demonstrated "praying without ceasing" in such a practical way.
The firm warning to Christians not to cause others to sin or be tempted, thus being a tool of Satan.
The encouragement to put on the armor of God and use the sword of the spirit in fighting temptation.

This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend and plan to revisit again.

(Note: My only disagreements with Beeke are in the final chapter regarding the Christian's duty to political involvement)

[Eric Durso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joel Beeke is always edifying.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beneficial primer on the theology of Satan, especially at a time when churches and leaders seem to either be obsessively focused on Satan, or do not speak much of him at all. Beeke takes a serious, biblical approach toward how Satan truly works against God and His Church today.

The writing style is dry at times, especially at the beginning, but Beeke’s pastoral heart does end up coming through. Lots of scripture, but also plenty of reformers and puritans quoted here, Gurnall most of all (which is to be expected).

The narration of this audiobook was very poor, but turning the speed to 1.1x helped it flow a bit better. I believe I will keep this one tucked away for times I need encouragement to keep fighting against sin and Satan. I’m glad I picked this one up just in time for our pastor to begin preaching through Ephesians 6:10-20 this week.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best introductory resources on Christian angelology and demonology. Clear, concise, and Biblical. Beeke takes much from the Puritans who didn’t shy away from the topic. I also appreciate how much of the book is dedicated to practical application as well.

[Justin Feland · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a day when charismaticism has cast a thick fog over this topic, it can be easy to stumble in finding answers to questions like, “How do I fight Satan?” “What is spiritual warfare?” And “What tactics does he use against me?” This book is a flashlight in that fog. Writing with clear style and drawing from deep meditation on some of the best historical theology, Beeke gives a clear understanding of what spiritual warfare is, who we are fighting against, and how to carry it out. This book is excellent for group studies.

[millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

my public library surprisingly carried the audiobook version! joel beeke does a great job looking at satan’s characteristics, plans, and shortcomings through OT/NT scriptures and classic puritan works. has a focus on christ as ultimately victorious king. very christ centered and edifying. a quick but packed read!

[P.J. Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of strange and unbiblical teachings on the devil out there. Sometimes we see Christians can fall into two extreme: on the one hand there are those who obsessed and overly occupied with the demonic while on the other hand there are those live their lives as practical philosophical naturalists (I know, “practical philosophical naturalists” sounds rather awkward). In light of the state of contemporary Christianity this book by Joel Beeke is refreshing. The subtitle of the book tells us more of what the book is about: Knowing his weaknesses, strategies and defeat. Beeke’s book is pastoral. That is, this book is both biblical and practical. I appreciated that he wrote a book of Satan without it being strange or sensational.
The book is divided in four parts, with each having two chapters or more. Part one examines what the Bible has to say about the personality and history of Satan. Part two looks at Satan’s weaknesses and specifically at how Christians are to fight him both defensively and offensively. Part three examines more in depth concerning Satan’s strategies. Finally part four focuses on the Christian duty as believers, church members and citizens in resisting Satan.
For the remainder of the review I want to look at the strengths and constructive criticisms of the book:
STRENGTHS
• The author is to be commended for a job well done in examining the biblical data concerning Satan’s personality and history. I enjoyed the first chapter very much which looks at Satan in the Bible. I found it helpful as a resource for my own study and preparation on a sermon on the devil and my own outline has footnotes referencing this chapter.
• While all the chapters of the book was good chapter six stood out as an exceptionally good chapter. Chapter six is on “confronting four major strategies of Satan.” I like how the author formatted this chapter in which each of the four strategies of Satan is broken down into particular “devices” that Satan uses as his trap for believers. Each “device” is then followed by the biblical remedies to avoid or defeat Satan’s devices.
• Beeke is very much a modern day Reformed Puritan so it would be no surprised to find him season his book with memorable Puritan quotes. That made the work enjoyable.
• On the topic of Puritans, Beeke notes how the Puritans have written quite a bit on spiritual warfare. I really appreciated the author listing classic Puritan works on the subject of spiritual warfare and defeating Satan’s advices found on pages 67-68. It made me thirst to read more of the Puritans!
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS
• I do disagree with Beeke’s interpretation of Revelation 20 that Satan currently is already bounded (see page 26). I wished he presented more of an argument for why he believes this rather than assume this is so.
• Beeke has two chapters on the armor of God that’s found in Ephesians 6. One of the chapter was on the armor of God that was defensive in nature while the other chapter was on the armor of God that was offensive in nature. I don’t know if some of the things that are listed as “offensive” are necessarily so. For instance Beeke stated that watch and preserving is one of the offensive elements in Ephesians 6. I don’t know if that’s truly the case. There’s other times where I wonder if the other elements mentioned as part of the offensive elements couldn’t also be defensive. My take on Ephesians 6 and the armor of God is that everything mentioned is defensive in nature with the exception of the sword of the Spirit. I don’t want to take away Beeke’s content in the chapter; it is just technically not offensive elements which is the title of the chapter.
In conclusion I would say that this was a pleasant read. I finished reading it in a few days because it was edifying and enjoyable. Readers will probably agree with me as well. It’s worth buying and keeping in one’s own library of spiritual books.

[Pig Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.

To the modern materialist, the idea of invisible spiritual beings sounds medieval and superstitious. Add a belief in the goodness of humanity, and the modern materialist finds the idea of an evil spiritual being named Satan laughable. In light of this, it seems best to acknowledge that “the greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist.”

Christians have responded to such secular notions in two ways. Either by ignoring Satan with the culture or showing an inordinate interest in him. In this book, Joel Beeke shows the ability to reveal the mightiness of the Devil while still making plain that he is not almighty. In other words, the author shows a right Biblical balance on the subject. Often neglected in contemporary Reformed circles, Beeke turns his focus to what the Scriptures teach on the Enemy of God’s people, God’s sovereign reign over him, Christ defeat of him, and how God’s people can stand against him. Pulling excellent council from Puritan forefathers, Beeke shows edifying and instructive light on a neglected subject.

[Ming Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, practical stuff. Beeke covers the idea of Satan as present in the Old and New Testaments and then church history. Then, he exposits the passage on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, detailing each piece of the Pauline panoply and its practical relevance for the life of the believer. Then, Beeke covers Satan's strategies (what Satan intends to do), devices (how Satan accomplishes his intentions), and remedies (antidotes to the evil lies Satan suggests to us). Finally, Beeke examines how the truths we have learned, especially the inevitable defeat of Satan, should influence our lives, for instance, in the context of church or society.

The book topic is rather unusual for contemporary theological literature. Rarely, apart from in some extreme branches of Pentecostalism (who I charitably dub "bonkers"), are Satanology and demonology discussed. Yet, Beeke addresses this topic commendably, with appropriate gravity yet shunning a defeatist attitude. Yes, Satan is powerful. But believers united to Christ will be held fast by their everlasting and unshakeable Saviour. Moreover, Beeke points readers to the centrality of God's Word. In order to defeat Satan and overcome his wiles, we must hold fast to the Word of God and the God of the Word. This book is filled with good theology (and yes, Satanology!) and practical exhortation.

Good.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We must know our Adversary."

Beeke focuses on the fighting part of the title in some great ways, bolstering believers on to fight the schemes of the Devil and pursue holiness. A shorter read, but packed with some great truths.

Also loved how much he quoted Thomas Brooks. I read "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" last year and that makes a great companion piece to this one.

Christ, the Scripture, your own hearts, and Satan's devices, are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched. - Thomas Brooks

“We put on God by putting on His armor. Christ Himself wore and made the armor, and the Holy Spirit fits it to us and makes it ours. We must fight through to the end until we hold the field against Satan. Then we must go on the offense, attacking him.”

[David Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly an encouragement and you get a good taste of the puritans but I think Beeke falls short in what he tries to cover in so little length. Also, you come away with plenty of thoughts and ideas, mainly from the puritans, but little in way of specificity our culture today. For example Beeke says to read the Bible as a way of fighting the devil. This is true and has been true but how should we read the Bible today that is unique to our times, where in scripture do we need to really spend our time in turning toward the lord when the devil tempts us in this day and age?

Bottom line: read it if you want to get some great Puritan quotes, general encouragement and extort action but don’t expect to come away with a deep way of thinking about spiritual warfare.

[Jacob London · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beeke describes the work of the evil one on earth and his final destruction in the last day. Beeke as always gives greater attention to the Lord Jesus and his perfect work over and above Satan's. Though the devil may be strong, Christ is stronger. The we may fear the devil, God is more worthy of our reverent fear. Satan is against us but God is for us. Beeke illustrates well that if we are in Christ there is nothing to fear and in him we are more than conquerors.

[Beth Lev · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Make prayer a priority. Bunyan said, “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed but you can’t do more than pray until you’ve prayed.”

“If Satan rests content beside us because he knows that we lack the breath and vitality of genuine prayer, our prayer will be powerless against him. … If we believe that man is man and God is God, we must be persistent in praying in our prayers.”

“Division is better than agreement in evil.”

[William Alderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful but dry! Amazing how the devil is the exact opposite of Jesus. One Gives one takes. One saves and one destroys. One is the Truth and the other is the Father of lies. All evil is a distortion of the good.

Also, I found it encouraging that the Devil does not rule this world forever. He is on borrowed time. We forget that the war is over but the battle feels heavy. Praise be to Jesus who is Stronger than the Devil.

Lots of hope!

[Nderitu Pius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. Arranged according to history as well as the tactics the enemy employs. A detailed look at the armour of GOD and why each part of the armour is as important as GOD says it is and finally how to overcome the enemy's tactics. T'is a christian resource gemstone.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Beeke is a master instructor. I whole-heartedly recommend all of his books (they are many). Learn from him; study and unearth biblical truth, and apply it to your life.

This book pairs well with Thomas Brooks' classic "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices".

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Stop Fighting

This was a very good book on fighting satan and living through Jesus.

Some great theology in how to live and also how to resist satan.

Would highly recommend, as this is not a fight you can win without Jesus.

4.6/5

[Robert Alsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven’t studied this topic much
Which I know realize is exactly what Satan wants.

We have an enemy, he is active, and we should know how to battle him effectively. This book helps do just that. Easy to read and very encouraging

[Chrys Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on spiritual warfare and Satan. Worth a second in-depth read or good to use for discipleship.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, clear, scriptural

This is a very practical and helpful book that gives a lot of insights for the daily Christian walk. I recommend it!

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Brian Nicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very historical, practical, readable, and applicable. Worth reading.

[Rachel Lemmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fighting Satan” is a beautiful little book for Christians to learn about their greatest adversary and how to fight against him and live a life in glory to God.

[Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Beeke, but I felt the best things in this book were the references to Puritan works which handle this subject matter better.

[Todd Burgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer on spiritual warfare. With a breezy and enjoyable style, Beeke delivers a great book fitting for new believers or mature believers.

[Dennis Gannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Leahy's book, he has some good stuff. More references in Beeke's book. But like Leahy, Joel is still a proud pagan polytheist = Neo-Catholic.

[Brent Shepherd · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s orthodox, but very cold and removed from what most Christians hope to gain from a book about spiritual warfare.