The Fight of Your Life: Facing and Resisting Temptation

by John Stevens

The purpose of this book is to help and encourage Christians in their battle against sin, and to ensure that they have right and biblical expectations of the ‘normal Christian life’. Many Christians live with a false burden of guilt and failure. They have been taught that the battle against temptation is futile, and that they will never be able to obey and please God. John Stevens examines the glorious promises of freedom from sin in the gospel because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The ‘normal Christian life’ is a ‘victorious Christian life’; we are daily enjoying far more victory than we might imagine.

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2019

About the author

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Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful little book. Careful distinction is made between sin and temptation. There's good theological grounding in the first three chapters, before getting to practical application. A strong argument is provided for Romans 7:14–25 being the experience of the unbeliever, but not normative for the believer. Many practical helps in resisting temptation in chapter 4. For the most part, excellent, and a book I'm sure I will be referring to for help, both for myself and others.

However, some parts could have been written more carefully. As an example, the author seems to indicate that repentance must follow sin more or less immediately or one is not a Christian. But clearly there was time between, e.g., David's sin with Bathsheba, her knowing she was pregnant, and telling him, his communication with Joab, his attempt to deceive Uriah, his murdering of Uriah, and finally his being confronted by Nathan.

[Ben Hegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd thought this would be a good read. It was an okay read. Not one reference to Gurnall and none of the Owen quotes are referenced. Other than the interpretation of Romans 7 which says that Paul is speaking of pre conversion state and the multiple warnings against perfectionist Theology, it's not bad. You'd be better served by reading Gurnall's The Christian in Complete Armour or Owen's On Temptation. Not great, there are better books at a similar level.

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good clear look at what the Bible says about temptation and sin, and how the normal Christian life should be a battle against temptation, but a battle we are capable of winning with the Spirit working in us.