Don't Leap With the Sheep: And Other Scriptural Strategies for Avoiding Satan's Snares

by S. Michael Wilcox

How do you recognize the danger signals that suggest you are falling for the temptations of Satan? In the spirit of C.S. Lewis's classic Screwtape Letters, S. Michael Wilcox delves into the scriptures to unveil the tactics used by the adversary and to reveal the defenses that the Lord provides. This book will help the reader recognize danger signals and build their own personal defense perimeters to resist the influences of the world and win the greatest battles of life.

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Church, Inspirational, Spirituality, Adult

230 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

S. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this one. I really wanted to like it and was expecting to, since I've enjoyed other books by this author. However, this book quoted so heavily from Bible stories, that I felt more like I was trying to get through a really long Sunday School class. Many of the Bible stories are ones I'm not as familiar with, so I'm sure that's why he spends so much time re-telling the stories, but it got to be too much for me. I tended to skim through each Bible story and then slow down more to read his lesson and analogy from each story. There were definitely some good nuggets of inspiration in this book, but it was not a book that I was ever excited to pick up.

[Tracy Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading Wilcox's books/talks. This book talks about the different ways Satan tries to get us to focus on the negatives and things we can't have in life while using the mist to block out the good things that we can have that God wants us to see.

I like Wilcox because he talks to a young adult level. It makes it really easy to understand. It's a fun book to read and helps give an understanding of the different ways Satan tries to tempt you and how you can avoid them.

[Joan]

The thing I like best about this book is that it is full of individual experiences of the author plus every experience he shares also includes a helpful lesson about how to recognize and stay away from temptation. It only has 230 pages but it includes 27+ true stories. It can be picked up and read anyplace in the book. My favorite one is the one about Lake Elizabeth which is found in section 27. I gave this book to all of my children and some of my grandchildren for Christmas. I hope they read it!

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 3 1/2 stars works here, probably because i am older than the target audience. Lots of great points that would make good FHE lessons. It's just that I couldn't get past this sense of contrivance throughout the book. It felt as if our wonderful author was forcing entire chapters to accommodate cutesy sayings. I get why he was using this technique. It just annoyed me regularly as I read along. Not his fault.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this book quite as much as Wilcox's other books, but it's still full of great stories, both from his own life and from the scriptures. It was written more than two decades ago, and I'm sure if he were to rewrite the book, he'd update a few things. But in saying that, it's still a terrific book.

[Jodee Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best lds non fiction books I have read in a while. This was wonderful. I loved how he opened up the mists of the devil and made it relatable to our day and circumstances. A must read for everyone who wants to defeat the devil!

[Debbie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great!!

Hard to believe this was written a decade ago... So poignant for the issues of today. Highly recommend this book!!

[Stella Luceat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has a number of profoundly pertinent-to-me insights. As with anything having to do with, but not published by, the church, reading this needs to be followed by research and prayer.

[Leland Grand · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is troubling in its advocacy of an attitude of intolerance toward social difference. It is remarkable that an author who ostensibly has enough intelligence and open-mindedness to receive a Ph.D. would admit (with no small degree of pride) that, because of his emotional reaction to Oedipus' blinding himself in Sophocles' play, he has refused to reread the text (p. 50). S. Michael Wilcox revels in his close-mindedness, and encourages others to preach and embody hatred for that which is not readily reconcilable to the most narrowly dogmatic interpretations of church doctrines. (See pp. 24-25).
What I am trying to say is that this book stresses that its reader should not "leap with the sheep," but uses rhetorical strategies that basically rely on a fallacious appeal to popular sentiment. If you are a teenager or have a teenager in the church, this book may be used, if you wish, to strengthen testimony. I would not, however, advise foisting this book on a teenager who has expressed any degree of critical inquiry respecting customary church teachings. It antagonizes the socially unusual and will thus foster a sense of alienation in those who have not already agreed with its basic premises.
In terms of its writing style, this is neat and well-conceived. In terms of its grasp of the elements of persuasion, it is weak and would best be substituted by a book, perhaps by McConkie or Talmage, that does not resort to rhetorical bullying to achieve its aims.

[Rusty Henrichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I first heard Michael Wilcox at Campus Education Week and was very impressed by him, so I immediately snatched up the book. The title comes from one of his chapters where he describes a small flock of sheep who plunge to their deaths rather than be herded back to the ranch.

He has other great chapters like:
Avoiding Delilah's Barber Shop,
Shedding Esau's Tears,
Beating Down the Gopher,
and so many others.

I know that I usually post a few excerpts, but there are so many good ones, there's no way to decide which to choose.

Anyhow, READ THIS BOOK!!!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scripture study becomes most relevant and powerful when we apply it to our lives, instead of simply reading the stories of the lives and happenings of others. This book is a fantastic example of what happens when we read scriptures with an eye towards application.

Wilcox mines the scriptures for Satan's efforts to deceive and betray, and some of the ways that the Lord helps us to avoid those traps, as illustrated in the scriptures. Some of the insights are wonderful in and of themselves. The rest is wonderful because of the example of "likening the scriptures to ourselves."

[Lauren H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book sitting on the shelf where I'm staying at my friend's house. I looked at it a few times before I finally took it out to read it. Felt like it was calling me to read it. It was a perfect read for me at this time during my trial. It certainly helped clear a lot of mists in my life that I felt was making it difficult for me to confirm which is from the Lord or Satan. I highly recommend this book.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books to help explain gospel principals. I always learn better through real life analogies, and that is exactly what this book is- Real life experiences along side gospel teachings to help them become a part of your life. This book has helped me through so many hard times that I am not sure if five stars is really justice for all it has done for me.

[Yvonne swinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. If you have a teen or nearly teen or plan to have a teen, add this to your library. Real life application of some of the greatest scripture stories. Learn about not coming down from your mountint, acoid Caiphas' palace, don't come down from your mountain Lehonti", the plains of Ono ("Oh! NO!", beating down gophers, shedding Esau tears and more....
GOOD GOOD GOOD!!!

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally, telling us to avoid Satan's will and snares. Many mists are there to lead us astray and not be able to follow the right road to our Heavenly Father. We should also learn how to overcome the lions and the bears in our lives, and pretty soon, after we've done that, we are to prepare to overcome the Goliath who is ahead of us and need to defeat.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh,M.W...I like your books...sometimes you just need to read someone who gets to the heart of the matter without all the fluff and erudition. If you have to have Neal M. and Hugh N. pass it on to the rest of us humans. this is a great little book full of fun, common sense parables pulled from the scriptures. Great book for Bible teachers.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and probably deserves more like 3 1/2 stars. I felt like some of the chapters repeated the same ideas, but with new wording, but definitely some good ideas to think about for myself and in teaching my children about overcoming temptations. Michael Wilcox is creative and clever and very able to make the scriptures come alive.

[Lncropper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time long before I was on Goodreads. I recently read it again. This is one of my all-time favorite books by one of my favorite LDS Institute/BYU Education Week authors. Wilcox sees things in the scriptures that other people just don't think of. I love his perspectives.

[Ann Hollon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book, have used many of the analogies to help my seminary students better understand some of the principles we discuss. Simplifies it for them and can better understand. Love S. Michael Wilcox. He always amazed me with his writings.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Brother Wilcox teaches great lessons from the scriptures, just as he did in his book Daughters of God. Lots of great FHE lessons in here: "What the mists hide," "Avoiding Delilah's Barber shop," "Shedding Esau's tears", etc.

[Analisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! After getting through about 3 chapters, I decided to buy it. His insights into the scriptures (especially the Bible) are amazing! I plan to do a lesson on each chapter for family home evening every week.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I love short, easy to remember mottos (like "Run like Joseph!") that help me be better and he provided me with a lot of them. He also helped me see several scripture stories from a different perspective.

[Kimberly O'Meara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite church author...little snipets of his "wisdom" Lots of good analogy stories about his own life and experiences.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago so I don't remember too much about it but I do remember that it was really good.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. Michael Wilcox has such a great command of the scriptures, and I love to read (and listen to) his observations of how they apply to us. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Michael Wilcox thinks and teaches. He shares great stores and insights in this book about how NOT to be deceived by Satan.

[Jenafee8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book! I love the modern day comparisons to scripture. I HIGHLY recommend it.

[Jayne Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book for the likening challenged like myself & its Wilcox..so it is good.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I read this together- for FHE mainly. We loved it!

[Timber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bro Wilcox is one of my favorite authors. I loved this book. :)