I Talk Back to the Devil: The Fighting Fervor of the Victorious Christian

by A.W. Tozer

"The highest that can be said of any creature is that it fulfilled the purpose for which God made it." — A. W. Tozer What is holding you back from being all God wants you to be? Are you still holding on to past sins? Do memories of your spiritual failures haunt you? Or maybe you want to stay in control and not become one of those "fanatical" Christians? Tozer says, "It is one of the devil's oldest tricks to discourage the saints by causing them to look back at what they were." Indeed, Satan has been in the business of intimidating and deceiving the people of God for a very long time. Tozer himself felt attacked by the devil even as he prepared the sermons distilled into this book. But as we press toward maturity in Christ, we are armed with great strength to engage in battle with that great Adversary. We can stand up to the Devil and shout "I am a child of God! I will not take this any longer, and I remind you that the forgiveness and cleansing I have freely received comes from Jesus Christ!" You can talk back to the Devil, but will you?

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Aiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").

Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.

A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs]

Why are depressed kids so grim and glum these days? Simple, says Tozer. They just don't TALK BACK TO THE DEVIL enough! You gotta, in today's decrepit world... when you’re besieged by misinformation, your interior psychological Daemon goes APE.

When I was twenty, chthonic forces captured me and catapulted me deep into a depressive pit. If I hadn't fought back, I mighta bin toast today. Like you did, too, kids? Yes, I know the feeling -

Being Positive in those days was way too lame-brained for me! So I’m singing from the same sheet of music. But there was light at the end of the tunnel...

Oh, but not for years after, so you’re not alone - but at least, I fell in love and captured the heart of the love of my life seven years later.

Keep going against all odds - keep banging your head with righteous anger against the cinder-block cell walls - and that will probably happen to you too.

Life works serendipitously.

But Tozer calls it grace. And that's the way I saw it too, three years later - after a futile attempt to furiously fend off a swarm of savage shark attacks with my pen-knife. The water was thick with my own red blossoming blood.

But Someone far greater than I died too, swimming in His own blood. He heard me when at last all hope expired within me. Through a guy named Robert Gauthier…

Robert was an open and affable co-worker at my next stop, managing supply in a small cell that was the fruit of my promotion that year, 1980.

Robert gave me the straight goods on the gospel.

And that day Grace serendipitously descended on me like a lively country brook in Spring time.

I was floored.

And that was the start of my new positive life in hope.

Don't diss it kids, till you've felt it! Keep fighting up till that day.

And who knows - I personally expect, that after that experience of grace -

You, too, will Talk BACK to the Devil.

[Nathanael Barr]

An incredible book from Tozer, it really gets you thinking about how we are live as Christians, what hinders us, and where our priorities lie. Very challenging.

[Danniel Acosta]

This book by Tozer is a series of sermons on spiritual maturity. Since I read his famous book “The Pursuit of God”, I wanted to read this one as well.

For starters, I was hoping these sermons would be exegetical in their approach to this Biblical theme. However, he wasn’t so much. Tozer is well thought of for his quotes and his books, not necessarily his breaking down of the text.

Nonetheless, in these sermons, Tozer will challenge you and encourage you in your pursuit of God. Some of the things he wrote in the book sound like they were written with Today’s issues in mind, however he wrote this book 50 years ago. These are the reasons why I gave this book a 4.

[Travis Agnew]

This book is a compilation of some sermon snippets, so the title isn’t an accurate summary of the content nor are the chapters progressive logically. Despite that, the content is the unique voice of Tozer calling the church to awaken from mediocrity like only he did.

[Alexis Neal]

A bit lackluster, honestly. I haven't read Tozer before, but I will try not to hold this book against him in the future. It's not entirely clear what the point of the book is. The subtitle has changed since the original edition, and the title itself is a bit confusing. Spiritual warfare isn't really the theme of the book at all. Instead, the book is one long exhortation not to accept Christian mediocrity, but to press on toward perfection and the standard set by Christ. Tozer is right to criticize the modern Christian contentment with merely "adequate" faith, but he sometimes seems to believe that perfection is an attainable goal. Which is not only patently false--we will never attain perfection in this life--but does his readers a disservice, since the inevitable failure of this "quest for perfection" tends to lead to guilt and depression. The book doesn't really seem to say much of anything. He exhorts Christians to be filled with the spirit, to be set on fire with love of God, which is all well and good. The modern churchgoer is far too reluctant to be a fanatic for Jesus (not in the legalistic, hateful way portrayed on news shows, but in a sold-out-for-Jesus sort of way). But I didn't feel like Tozer really helped the reader get there. The book seemed to be more about selling the reader on the idea than actually providing meaningful guidance. So all in all, I would have to say that it kind of lacked substance. Which feels like a very critical thing to say about someone of Tozer's stature, but there you have it. Not a bad book, by any means, and my own spiritual mediocrity may be coloring my perception, but all in all, I expected better. Then again, this is not one of his best-known books. Maybe there's a reason for that.

[Van Edwards]

AW Tozer is often held up as an influential Christian figure from the 20th century. Many people point to The Pursuit of God as a favorite book. To me, Pursuit had a devotional quality with mystical undertones. I felt in this book, his mystical underpinnings really come to the forefront. Several of these essays refer to Thomas a Kempis's The Imitation of Christ and The Cloud of Unknowing, a 14th century book by an unknown author that even Wikipedia calls a work of "Christian mysticism".

The last article compels us to love Christ and speaks of His qualities that make His love for us so incredible, so unchanging and worthy of our love in return - except he doesn't mention what He actually accomplished in His life, death and resurrection.

Other than that, the articles smack of a mid-20th century positivism. It was OK, not terrible, but not great either.

[☾❀Mirelle✩]

“In our churches we often sing, “Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears.” But nothing happens, and we keep our fears.”



A. W. Tozer is one of my favourite Christian authors, if not my favourite. I only read one other book by him, The Pursuit of God, and I never felt so inspired in my faith with any other "human" author ever. His spirituality, his love for God just oozes from the pages, truly a contagious passion, capable of re-ignited any dormant Christian heart. This one is a collection of sermons, so it's a bit less "gripping", but I still found it useful to read as a devotional.

[Christina Williams]

Easy to read, but deep to digest!

A W Tower opens our eyes as to what it means to abide in Jesus. The relationship we have with our risen Lord is what draws others to His light.

[Luke Roscoe]

I definitely need to go back and read through my underlines. This book was sent to me and it was so timely. Sometimes we can get caught up in pursuing knowledge of scripture and forget that the Bible is there for our knowledge of God. The book covers perfection and living holy and blameless which is a difficult topic. I do not desire complacency in my Christian life and I do not desire that for other followers of Christ. This book was a wake up call for me to lead others in a pursuit of spiritual perfection. This starts and is completed by fixing one’s gaze on the cross and leaving it there. Yes knowledge of scripture and theology is important, but the Holy Spirit alone can illuminate our hearts and drive us towards Christ. We only need to ask the Father!

[Barry]

A collection of sermons from Mr. Tozer, each chapter/sermon is a separate theme that accumulates to cover a lot of ground in the Christian walk. As usual, Mr. Tozer challenges, provokes thought, and encourages Christ-followers to step up their game and live an all-out life for Jesus.

[Reggie Byrum]

One of Tozer’s Best

This book is Tozer in rare form. Tozer has never been shy about confronting sin or the church, but in this book, the gloves come off. He holds nothing back. I’ve read a LOT of Tozer’s books, my library is full of them, but this book rises up to the top as one of my most favorite. I’ve already determined to read it again, as it is packed so full of gems you can’t possibly remember them all in just one reading.

[Zach Summers]

“There also seems to be a chilling fear of holy enthusiasm among the people of God. We try to tell how happy we are—but we remain so well-controlled that there are few waves of glory experienced in our midst.” P.19

“Revival will come to us and within us when we really want it, when we pay the price.” P.98

Honestly there are so many good quotes from this book. Tozer brings the heat to an apathetic church. He pulls no punches as he admonished and call the believer up into the higher calling given to all believers.

This is also the first time I have really heard the idea of Christian perfection fleshed our in any way…very interesting and insightful.


Humility is needed in reading this book, because Tozer will call you out, I guarantee it.

[Sarah J]

My rating is only for chapters 7-12. I would recommend you only read those chapters. It was very hard for me to persevere through the first 6 chapters but it was more than worth it for the last half of the book!!!

[Adam Spencer]

I had this book saved for awhile.

He seemed angrier than usual. More passionate. More exclamations...aimed toward his discontentment with the condition of the Church today and his take on gaining back authentic, powerful faith. How says no to comfortable Christianity.

[Ginger Zimmerman]

Anything by Tozer is great! And this book is no exception!

[Aiden]

One of the best books on truly walking with Christ.

[William]

Praise to the Author of eternity:)

[jackie moore]

Powerful

A powerful revelation! I will read it again too. I pray this book ignites it's reader with a deep yearning to know and love our savior, Christ Jesus. 🙏🙏🙏

[Nat]

Will be a reread because of how good it is. Tozer never fails

[John David Summers]

I love the works Aw Tozer and this was similar. It is less systematic in theology and more practical in nature. It is a composition of some of his sermons. In reality, I prefer him as a writer than a preacher.

[Cinda]

This is a challenging collection of sermons from a man who knew Jesus in a deeply personal way. I found take-aways from each one to apply to my own spiritual journey. Read it if you want to be challenged to see things from an eternal perspective, and remember it's not a seamless book with one main theme. Tozer has other "better written" books, this is different in that he spoke these words in sermons, so "listen" as you read, and then read some of his actual books if you prefer a different approach.

[Ac]

This book by Tozer goes down easy, but if you really let what he is saying penetrate it'll give you some serious heartburn. This is a book for those desiring to go further in their walk with Christ. It's for those that fear they may be lukewarm and aren't willing to let that be good enough. Tozer holds up a mirror and asks us to look at ourselves and our dedication to Christ more closely. Worth reading.

[Jennifer]

The title of this book is very deceiving. I don't think the devil is mentioned once. I read it because I feel challenged by the writings of A.W. Tozier. The book encourages Christians to rise beyond being a common or mediocre Christian to one who like the Apostle Paul presses on to know Christ. Loved this quote, "Prayer is the elevation of the heart to God, and that is all a man needs to praise, to pray and to worship."

[Chris]

Hmmm...I don't get where or if the talk back to the devil part came in?

In any event, it was a good exhortation to press in and get more serious about being a Christian - we are to get a deeper understanding of the relationship we have available to us with the Creator of the Universe, find out who the Word says we are and what we have in Christ, then start walking the walk and talking the talk...Amen :-)

[Светлана]

I Talk Back to the Devil is a series of fiery and convicting sermons on themes of spiritual perfection. He touches on many common hindrances, such as "chronic discouragement," fear of being labelled radical, and plain disobedience.

It is a very challenging and encouraging manual to those who want to be able to say with Paul, "One thing I do!" (See Philippians 3:12-14.)

[Chris Wagner]

Very encouraging!!

[David]

Believe it or not there are interesting similarities between what Tozer said and what I've read in the Philokalia.

[Frans Kempe]

Good book from Tozer about the need to pursue spiritual perfection and not let the christian life stay as it is.

[Buddy Draper]

Very challenging and encouraging book re pursuing spiritual perfection and not settling for mediocrity.

[Esther]

Tozer at his ranting best, but not really at the Devil. (not sure about the title) His focus is directed more toward the church and the lazy Christian.