Did you know that you can be believing a whole pack of lies, and living out a bunch of (dangerous) deceptions, completely unaware? Yuck. But there is a remedy. In fact, there are several. But first, we have to face the problems and determine to live no lies.
John Mark Comer has written another good one. His 2021 volume would be well-placed in every believer’s home. The truths within Live No Lies are foundational for living a victorious Christian Life. Here’s the full title:
Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace
John Mark Comer was lead pastor at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. (He has only recently left that post to pursue writing full time). John Mark is the author of several other titles including The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. He seems to be on a mission to help believers take charge of their hearts and minds in this distracting world, and to truly live for Jesus. Bring it on!
So What’s it About?
Comer’s presents a modern pastor’s take on a very old subject. It is refreshing to see the truths of my old Lutheran Catechism preached today!
We learned, way back in Catechism, about the three enemies of the soul. We studied what each of them might do to lure us away from a life dedicated to our Lord. We learned about their intentions, and (briefly) talked about what to do.
Honestly, if we had just had this volume, our Lutheran pastor would have been able to give us much more than the basics. He would have given us gold.
But Comer doesn’t only discusses the three enemies of our soul. He gives us valuable, insightful, useful tools in which to wage this war, as well.
Enemies Three
Okay already, so what are the enemies? They are:
- The World
- The Flesh
- The Devil.
Yup, you heard right.
Those three.
Let’s see what Comer himself has to say.
“My intent with this book is to reinterpret the ancient paradigm of the three enemies of the soul for the modern age. While it’s easy to scoff at the ancient categories, I believe the world, the flesh, and the devil are alive and well; and aided by our skepticism, they are wreaking havoc in our souls and society”
(John Mark Comer, Live No Lies, p xxii).
Comer defines these three enemies, and then offers numerous meaningful strategies for combating each.
Spiritual Formation
But first he defines spiritual formation, and allows the reader to understand why it is important.
“…all I mean by spiritual formation is the process by which we are formed in our spirits, or inner persons, into the image of Jesus.
Or conversely, into the image of the devil.
Spiritual formation isn’t just a Jesus thing; it’s a human thing. We’re all being formed every minute of every day. We’re all becoming someone…”
(Comer, p 73).
Practices
The strategies, or practices, that Comer presents are timeless practices for Christians of every age. He discusses quiet prayer and Scripture, providing examples of how each practice can aid us on our journey.
But Comer doesn’t stop there. He is keenly interested in putting useful, practical tips into hands of those who want to live victorious over these enemies.
For every section, Comer provides a “Step Sheet” which covers in brief the key points to bear in mind. Each “Step Sheet” provides:
- Definitions
- Key texts (Scriptures) to meditate on
- Working theory of spiritual formation (for that step)
- Working theory on how to fight each enemy
- Key practices for overcoming
- A brief summary for each
An Example
For example, in his “Step Sheet” for fighting the World, he offers this:
“Definition (what fallows is just one of several definitions offered):
The World—a system of ideas, values, morals, practices, and social norms that are integrated into the mainstream and institutionalized in a culture corrupted by the twin sins of rebellion against God and the redefinition of good and evil.
Key texts to meditate on: John 17 and 1 John 2:15-17.
Key theory of devil’s strategy: deceitful ideas that play to disordered desires that are normalized in a sinful society.
Key practice for fighting the world: gathering with your church”
(Comer, p 242-243).
Monastic Handbook
Worthy of mention is a little gem in the Appendix. It’s called “A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons.” It’s gold.
Why? Because it provides believers with a brief, yet powerful tool to help you:
“retrain your mind to turn from the enemy’s obsessive thoughts rooted in lies to the truth of Scripture. When the lies come, don’t open a dialogue with them,” says Comer. “Just ‘change the channel’ to the truth”.
There is s much value in the Appendix. Buy the book. Read it.
In Summary
I hope that believers will read this book, digest what John Mark Comer is teaching, and put into practice these formation practices.
I know I sound like a commercial…but what can I say? It is a compelling book. In it, we learn how to combat lies with truth — essential for victorious living.
Of further interest, Comer is quite the scholar. He draws extensively from Scripture, as well as from both modern psychological theories and ancient Biblical scholars and monastics. He has done an enormous amount of research, and blessed are the readers who take the time to study and digest the content of this fine read.