Powlison‘s book is about spiritual warfare. Not the demon deliverance and exorcism type of spiritual warfare, but the everyday spiritual battles facing down all believers. This territory lies much closer to the biblical portrait. Satan deals in the ordinary, he is a master of disguise, deception and lies. His schemes are crafty. Believers may never know what struggles are attributable to Satan and which ones are traceable to sinful desires, just as Job never knew his afflictions came from Satan, who only had permission to do so from God. But one thing is sure, Christians must know there is a battle. And this battle is against an enemy not of flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). “When our hearts deceive us and our culture misleads us, Satan’s desires and purposes are at work” (1). It can be tempting to carry on, living absentminded and carefree when the fog and carnage of war is unnoticeable. Powlison, in his own words, wrote the book “because I want us to be awake and alert to the real battles we face. These are dark days, and this is a book about how to stand up to the powers of darkness—for yourself, for our loved ones, for those you counsel” (1). He’s personal, practical, and purposeful to that end. ( )

This is particularly addressed to pastors and counselors, and is especially challenging "the solution to everything is to cast out a demon" attitude, to put it bluntly -- but it's relevant to all Christians.

I liked his quick exposition of the spiritual armour in Ephesians 6. I'd only a few days before made the connection to Isaiah, where Paul pulls most of that imagery from. I would have liked to see more of it.

The last chapter talking about his own battle with cancer, and how he was using the weapons of spiritual warfare (the promises of God in Christ via the means of grace) was very powerful.

However there was something that didn't click for me when reading this, I'm not really sure what it is. I appreciate how short it was, but because I maybe wasn't the intended audience he insisted too much on things I already agreed with.

Would recommend, but not as a standout read. ( )

Excellent biblical introduction and summary of how Christians engage in spiritual warfare today via the ordinary means God has given us: Bible, prayer, etc. for a fuller treatment of this subject see Powlison’s more comprehensive book Power Encounters. ( )