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62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical and Biblical, May 15, 2006
This review is from: Invisible War, The: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (Hardcover)
The subject of Spiritual warfare is one that many Christians shy away from today. I think that is mainly because there is a lot of extreamism. There are alot of preachers and authors today who see a demon around every corner and go way beyond the scope of Scripture. I know, because I have read some of these types of books. However, spiritual warfare is a vitally important subject, one that no Christian can afford to ignore.
I have been looking for a long time for a book that is both practical and solidly biblical. This book by Chip Ingrim is both. This book has really opened my eyes. I have always believed in Satan and demons. However, I am beginning to realize now just how ignorant I was to the enemy's tactics and work in my life. I have recently reached a point where I am sick and tired of living a defeated Christian life. I want to learn how to defeat the enemy and live in victory. This book will teach you how to do just that.
This book is based on Ephesians 6. This is a chapter that is regularly preached and taught on. But no one has enriched my understanding of this chapter more than Chip Ingram. He goes through each piece of armor and then talks about how to apply it in your own life. He talks about how each piece protects us from a specific type of attack. But Ingram makes it clear that the responsiblity of putting on the spiritual armour isn't God's. It's ours. If we fail to put on our spiritual armour, we will be extremely vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.
This book is incredibly practical and Biblical. It is an invaluable resource for any Christian. But I think this book would be especially valuable to a new believer. I am grateful to Chip Ingram for having the courage to write this book. My one regret is that I didn't read this book sooner. This book will convict, challenge and encourage you. Every Christian should read this book. I highly recommend this book.
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39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Ways and Strategies for Christians, January 31, 2006
This review is from: Invisible War, The: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (Hardcover)
To begin, Chip Ingram's message is not one of extremes. The text of THE INVISIBLE WAR doesn't promote a sensationalist scare-tactic mentality nor does it present a purely academic one. Somewhere in the middle, where average Christians live and pray and worship, Ingram seeks to educate, inform and equip said believers for what he terms is an "invisible war" being fought everywhere in the world today. Ingram is quick to point out that the Bible doesn't tell believers everything there is to know about how Satan and his demons work. However, it does provide enough information to formulate patterns, strategies and practical ways for Christians to combat such spiritual attacks.
Citing Ephesians 6:10-20 as the principal New Testament teaching on spiritual warfare, Ingram breaks this section of scripture into two basic themes: "Be strong in the Lord" and "Put on the full armor of God." Ingram says that when people suddenly are fearful of or in danger from spiritual entities, they react with either a fight or flight response. He suggests that both responses require embracing the mentality that humans are indeed weak and only in the might of the Lord can they effectively face down spiritual foes. Secondly, the Bible is explicit in the how-to of preparing for spiritual battle. From the biblical standpoint, "full armor" is described as "taking up the shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation" and "the sword of the Spirit."
Ingram believes there are specific times in Christians' lives when they are most vulnerable to spiritual attacks. These seasons are during the following periods of life: when believers are growing in their faith, when Christians take on the offensive and try to "invade" enemy territory through evangelism/prayer and the like, when Christians seek to expose Satan and his lies for what they truly are, after believers repent and turn toward Christ instead of continuing in a sinful lifestyle, and finally, during those times of preparation when God is making his followers ready for a work of great significance. The author tells Christians to be on the alert and ready to extinguish the "flaming arrows of the evil one" that are subtle yet strategically designed to hit believers during their weakest moments.
Lest Christians become discouraged or overwhelmed at the prospect that their every move is being monitored and plotted against by Satan and his cohorts, Ingram offers four encouraging facts. First, God has already defeated Satan and paid the price for believers' sins. Eventually sin's presence will be removed as well; until then, Christians must recognize that they are part of a "guerrilla warfare." Second, believers have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, with all the rights and privileges accorded to God's children. Third, Christians must be proactive in putting on the spiritual protection God has provided. Finally, the majority of spiritual warfare does not need to pass beyond "the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith."
For those Christians who have been unable to locate a sound biblical text, both practical and pertinent to their lives, THE INVISIBLE WAR will fill that need. Christians new to the faith, as well as seasoned believers, will be encouraged, educated and challenged to use every God-given resource to live lives of faith that reflect the glory and overcoming power of God's faithful care.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe
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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gird Yourself, January 4, 2006
This review is from: Invisible War, The: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (Hardcover)
It is amazing to me how Chip Ingram can take one verse and write a book on it. His description of the armor of a Roman soldier is both unique (in my experience, at least) and succinct.
Ingram states something in this volume that many modern Christians don't want to face; there is evil, it is personal, it is involved in a battle that is beyond our vision, it has an invisible face, it is very attractive, and if you don't believe it then you cannot believe in the Christian God.
It is that simple.
His Biblical description of Satan, Devil, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Belial, The Evil One, The Tempter, The Prince of This World, and the Accuser of the Bretheren is informative. His application of these names to the sufferings of many Christian minds and families is appropriate. There are many who need to realize why they feel as they do about their faith, strong or weak.
The solutions offered are doable and in accordance with Biblical principles.
Larry Fischer
Topeka, Kansas
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