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Good or God?: Why Good Without God Isn't Enough
These days the terms good and God seem synonymous. We believe what’s generally accepted as good must be in line with God’s will. Generosity, humility, justice—good. Selfishness, arrogance, cruelty—evil. The distinction seems pretty straightforward. But is that all there is to it? If good is so obvious, why does the Bible say that we need discernment to recognize it? Good or God? isn’t another self-help message. This book will do more than ask you to change your behavior. It will empower you to engage with God on a level that will change every aspect of your life.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
445 people are currently reading
2278 people want to read
About the author
John Bevere
155 books916 followersMarked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculums and bestselling books, now in more than 60 languages, including "The Bait of Satan," "Drawing Near" and "Driven by Eternity." He is an international speaker and co-host of "The Messenger" TV program broadcast worldwide.
John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.
John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
January 17, 2018
So let's be clear: I don't agree with everything in this book. But I've honestly learned to be even more careful about the books I completely agree with, than the books that I don't, for a whole number of reasons.
I don't want an author to tell me what I want to hear. And a downfall of Christian culture (not everywhere, it just tends to be common) is that we often feed into each other's ideas, and we only read things by people who agree with us, rather than challenging each other in the ways that we think and seeking to be challenged as well. You wind up with a whole lot of lazy, narrow-minded people as a result.
That being said: this book is written for Christians, and I would really only recommend it to somebody who is a Christian. It's not the kind of book that is looking to convert anybody (we probably don't need more of those); it's simply a message designed to challenge and even encourage people who already consider themselves believers. I've gotta give that disclaimer upfront, because if you are not already a Christian, this book just will not edify you.
So, why the five star rating?
Frankly, I haven't read a "Christian" book probably in about two years. Awhile ago I felt led to almost completely put down all of the books, sermons, and articles I was constantly reading and listening to, because I felt like God was trying to get me to see that I was far too reliant on other people (and other people's opinions) as my source of strength in my relationship with him. When I had a question, I would immediately try and find out what other people had to say about that question, rather than literally just talking to God about it and trying to understand it and find the truth for myself. It was a handicap and a problem for me, and I think it was something God wanted me to get rid of, and as a result, my own faith, ability to understand, and even my ability to just think for myself has definitely been sharpened. I honest these last two years I feel like have been some of the biggest times of growth for me as a person, period, because of it.
And this book, being one of the first non-fiction/Christian reads that I've done in a long time, resurfaced in me a lot of the lessons I've been learning this past year or two on my own. John Bevere seeks to get believers to rethink their ideas about so many things that Christians just take for granted. We talk about how good God is, and how everything good comes from God, without truly understanding what that even means. We talk about the grace of God CONSTANTLY, yet so many people completely misunderstand what grace has been given to us for in the first place.
And for a very long time, I was one of those people. I talked about the love of God, yet never felt it. I talked about the grace of God, yet didn't know how it applied to me or why it made a difference. I talked about how good God was, yet didn't really feel like he was especially good to me.
Basically, I was a complete and total hypocrite, even though I didn't want to be. This book is getting five stars from me because I think it's a message that could really help wake up a lot of Christians from that kind of unintentional hypocrisy. You don't need this book to hear that message, and it's something I learned on my own. But for a lot of people it could be helpful. There is so little empowerment in the church today, but Scripture promises us so much more than what we settle for.
"Grace", to me, was God choosing to ignore my faults and sins. It was the big rug under which he swept all the things I hated about myself. It was him moving on from all my problems and the wrongs that I've done, so that I could now (supposedly) have forgiveness and go to heaven.
But I didn't want God to ignore my faults. I didn't want him to sweep those things under the rug. I couldn't just let go and move on.
Frankly, I needed help.
Several years ago I started to dig on my own, and intentionally seek God for myself. I read the whole Bible. I started to pray consistently. I just wanted the truth, and I more or less tuned out all the other voices in my life for the sake of finding it. And I found out that God doesn't just sweep all of my sins under the rug, because that's not love. Grace is not ignoring our faults. That's honestly cruelty.
Love was God looking at me full in the face, seeing each and every one of those things, and saying, "I want you anyway".
Grace was him giving me the tools and the power that I needed to actually have victory over those things, whether it was addiction, or depression, or anxiety.
Redemption was him being willing to say that he would die just to help me get out of the hole I dug for myself, and actually doing it.
There are things I can't even go into in a brief book review, but so many of the typical "Christian" virtues go so much deeper what we settle for. We take something that looks outwardly "good", and accept it, instead to trying to find the fullness of God and his plan for us. Regardless of what you believe, it's worth pursuing it to the end, because otherwise we are setting for something less than what we could have.
It's something that I've learned to do on my own, but that I also want to see more Christians do for themselves, too. Because of that (and also because I'm lenient in my ratings with all non-fiction, as long as they're honest and not total garbage), I gave this book a full five stars. John Bevere's writing is honest, straightforward, and he doesn't hold back for the sake of the reader's feelings, which I personally like a lot. It's a kind of honesty that I try to have with other people, but also with myself, because I know from experience that the easiest person for me to deceive is myself. This book challenged me to keep digging deeper, without just spoon feeding me all the solutions that people normally want to hear, and for that I am grateful.
If you're a Christian, definitely highly recommend this!
Happy reading =].
I don't want an author to tell me what I want to hear. And a downfall of Christian culture (not everywhere, it just tends to be common) is that we often feed into each other's ideas, and we only read things by people who agree with us, rather than challenging each other in the ways that we think and seeking to be challenged as well. You wind up with a whole lot of lazy, narrow-minded people as a result.
That being said: this book is written for Christians, and I would really only recommend it to somebody who is a Christian. It's not the kind of book that is looking to convert anybody (we probably don't need more of those); it's simply a message designed to challenge and even encourage people who already consider themselves believers. I've gotta give that disclaimer upfront, because if you are not already a Christian, this book just will not edify you.
So, why the five star rating?
Frankly, I haven't read a "Christian" book probably in about two years. Awhile ago I felt led to almost completely put down all of the books, sermons, and articles I was constantly reading and listening to, because I felt like God was trying to get me to see that I was far too reliant on other people (and other people's opinions) as my source of strength in my relationship with him. When I had a question, I would immediately try and find out what other people had to say about that question, rather than literally just talking to God about it and trying to understand it and find the truth for myself. It was a handicap and a problem for me, and I think it was something God wanted me to get rid of, and as a result, my own faith, ability to understand, and even my ability to just think for myself has definitely been sharpened. I honest these last two years I feel like have been some of the biggest times of growth for me as a person, period, because of it.
And this book, being one of the first non-fiction/Christian reads that I've done in a long time, resurfaced in me a lot of the lessons I've been learning this past year or two on my own. John Bevere seeks to get believers to rethink their ideas about so many things that Christians just take for granted. We talk about how good God is, and how everything good comes from God, without truly understanding what that even means. We talk about the grace of God CONSTANTLY, yet so many people completely misunderstand what grace has been given to us for in the first place.
And for a very long time, I was one of those people. I talked about the love of God, yet never felt it. I talked about the grace of God, yet didn't know how it applied to me or why it made a difference. I talked about how good God was, yet didn't really feel like he was especially good to me.
Basically, I was a complete and total hypocrite, even though I didn't want to be. This book is getting five stars from me because I think it's a message that could really help wake up a lot of Christians from that kind of unintentional hypocrisy. You don't need this book to hear that message, and it's something I learned on my own. But for a lot of people it could be helpful. There is so little empowerment in the church today, but Scripture promises us so much more than what we settle for.
"Grace", to me, was God choosing to ignore my faults and sins. It was the big rug under which he swept all the things I hated about myself. It was him moving on from all my problems and the wrongs that I've done, so that I could now (supposedly) have forgiveness and go to heaven.
But I didn't want God to ignore my faults. I didn't want him to sweep those things under the rug. I couldn't just let go and move on.
Frankly, I needed help.
Several years ago I started to dig on my own, and intentionally seek God for myself. I read the whole Bible. I started to pray consistently. I just wanted the truth, and I more or less tuned out all the other voices in my life for the sake of finding it. And I found out that God doesn't just sweep all of my sins under the rug, because that's not love. Grace is not ignoring our faults. That's honestly cruelty.
Love was God looking at me full in the face, seeing each and every one of those things, and saying, "I want you anyway".
Grace was him giving me the tools and the power that I needed to actually have victory over those things, whether it was addiction, or depression, or anxiety.
Redemption was him being willing to say that he would die just to help me get out of the hole I dug for myself, and actually doing it.
There are things I can't even go into in a brief book review, but so many of the typical "Christian" virtues go so much deeper what we settle for. We take something that looks outwardly "good", and accept it, instead to trying to find the fullness of God and his plan for us. Regardless of what you believe, it's worth pursuing it to the end, because otherwise we are setting for something less than what we could have.
It's something that I've learned to do on my own, but that I also want to see more Christians do for themselves, too. Because of that (and also because I'm lenient in my ratings with all non-fiction, as long as they're honest and not total garbage), I gave this book a full five stars. John Bevere's writing is honest, straightforward, and he doesn't hold back for the sake of the reader's feelings, which I personally like a lot. It's a kind of honesty that I try to have with other people, but also with myself, because I know from experience that the easiest person for me to deceive is myself. This book challenged me to keep digging deeper, without just spoon feeding me all the solutions that people normally want to hear, and for that I am grateful.
If you're a Christian, definitely highly recommend this!
Happy reading =].
December 26, 2016
This was such a sobering read. I gain so much from this bless author. I'm going to have to re read this yearly to bring keep these truths in the front of my mind always. God Is so Good and his word is Truth.
October 31, 2015
John Bevere is without a doubt one of my favorite modern-day Christian speakers and authors. His work Fear of the Lord absolutely changed my life, as well as Driven by Eternity and Extraordinary Living. Maybe I should just list all of his books, that’s how Holy Spirit inspired they are. While reading them you know it isn’t coming from the mind of John Bevere, it’s coming from the heart of God.
Good or God is no exception. I have always held the belief that there is no gray area. That when you look closely enough you can separate the black from the white – the distance you are from the issue, question, or circumstance determines how gray it is based on your perspective. In Good or God John reveals God’s heart for us to be so close to God that we easily separate good from bad, white from black, evil from Holy.
Using stories, scriptures, and Holy Spirit charged admonitions and encouragement; this book reveals human error and how God’s grace empowers us to live in His perfect strength. It convicts, inspires, brings understanding, and draws you closer to Father.
I’m not saying you must read this book, but I am saying it would be a good decision. This is a message from the Throne to your life so your relationship with God can be radically changed. Are we satisfied with ‘good’ or do we want God – pure and unadulterated - not for what He can do for us, but for Him alone?
But really, read this book. Then give it away.
Good or God is no exception. I have always held the belief that there is no gray area. That when you look closely enough you can separate the black from the white – the distance you are from the issue, question, or circumstance determines how gray it is based on your perspective. In Good or God John reveals God’s heart for us to be so close to God that we easily separate good from bad, white from black, evil from Holy.
Using stories, scriptures, and Holy Spirit charged admonitions and encouragement; this book reveals human error and how God’s grace empowers us to live in His perfect strength. It convicts, inspires, brings understanding, and draws you closer to Father.
I’m not saying you must read this book, but I am saying it would be a good decision. This is a message from the Throne to your life so your relationship with God can be radically changed. Are we satisfied with ‘good’ or do we want God – pure and unadulterated - not for what He can do for us, but for Him alone?
But really, read this book. Then give it away.
November 13, 2020
This book was not what i thought it would be. I was thinking it might be an updated perspective on harmonious sanctification (which was a Christian buzz phrase four decades ago) which i can't even locate on internet searches. As i recall it went something like this: when you do something for another (e.g. go out of your way) at no benefit to you, and even a cost to you and you feel good about it, it is because God has blessed you, for your selflessness. Except you can feel good about it without believing in God.
So i thought this was going to be about a higher level of good akin to Kolhberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning: through conflict one attains a higher evaluation such as pleasing others is better than pleasing self, or deferring to authority is better than avoiding punishment, or keeping a committment is grander than that, and looking after the well-being of others is the highest attainment (in Kolhberg's hierarchy).
The book might have been better titled "The Fear of God" or "Fear God". The author points out it is not enough to accept Christ but one has to fear God. He doesn't say that specifically but that is the gist. It is not a book for non-Christians, as other reviewers also point out, but for believers to sharpen their faith. However why couldn't a non-believer like myself get something out of it. I can see why it is not suited to those considering converting as it is more of a lengthy sermon for those in the faith.
I didn't find that the book stuck to the topic very well but came around to the issue again in the final chapters. The author wanted to take shots at how he considered modern faith has relegated the true meaning of the bible taking a backseat to contemporary belief, which he finds incompatible.
He starts with a story of a famous well loved person dying due to an automobile mishap but doesn't name the person. The person I could think of that fit the bill was Princess Grace of Monaco. Perhaps he didn't want to say who it was as he was suggesting that although she led a good life it was not a God fearing life, and people might take exception.
In starting with a definition of good he refers to Sales & Marketing 101 that a product must feel, look, sound, taste, or smell good. Later notes that "Most are deceived by and drawn to behavior and things that seem right, good, and wise but are contrary to His wisdom".
As a vegetarian I recognize that cooked meat tastes good but the animal is better off not being dead. That to me is a higher good and (for the most part) at odds with the bible, which proclaims man has dominance over the animals, which Christians take to mean entitler to kill them. So i am at odds with that. Some Christian vegetarians claim there are only two references to eating flesh in the New Testament, feeding people fish at the Sermon at the Mount. They suggest it is a misintepretation of ancient Greek and it was actually eggplant.
The author also uses an examples of intepretation where one has to go back to original script to gain the true meaning.
"What seems good may actually be detrimental, harmful, and non-productive..." (Page 10)
Again i can relate because i am aware that by eating eggs (the animal doesn't have to die) i may contribute to hens being kept in closed cramped cages, so i buy eggs from Free Range hens. I used to have my own chickens, i saved from a stewing pot (as they had became non-productive) and they in turn (perhaps out of appreciation) laid me six eggs a week each. My hens were allowed to live a long healthy free ranging non-productive life. I realize that is not the outcome for all Free Range chickens but have some satisfaction in contributing to a partially "happy" existence. But isn't it a lie, to the animals, that we create a false environment of security and contentment only to kill them when their weight gain is no longer economically profitable?
On page 18 the author begins the discussion around to 'revealed' knowledge vs 'communicated' knowledge. The former being what God communicates directly (i.e. to Adam in the Garden of Evil) and the latter being heard second hand (what Adam told Eve). Bevere goes on to state (page 19) that "hell's forces can more easily deceive those who only possess communicated knowledge.
Which begs the question why can't we all have revealed knowledge? Surely it is within God's power. In the author's experience (page 20) "communicated knowledge is sometimes more dangerous than the absence of knowledge."
Page 23/24 "The serpent got Eve to believe there was something good for her that God was withholding. If this was successfully accomplished in a perfect environment, with a woman who had never been abused, offended or taken advantage of, how much easier is the enemy's task today in a fallen world filled with offense, corruption, perversion, and deceit?" Indeed! Who made this world and why can't we all have revealed knowledge?
Page 31 "Something can have the aprearance of good yet be just the opposite. There are concepts, assumptions, opinions, qualities, ways of reasoning, and thought patterns that seem good and right yet aren't. Due to these hidden dangers God has given us a life instruction manual so we don't unknowingly veer away from the truth... It's the Bible."
Pages 25-26 "God clearly states: 'Study this book of Istructions continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everthing written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do [Joshua 1:8 NLT]' Clearly accepting Jesus into your life is not enough.
What to do about what is written? Does one follow the Protestant bible of 66 books or the Catholic one of 72/73 or the Ethopian one of 88 books, and what of the unincluded Gospels of Thomas, Philip, Mary...? We are told the word of the bible was written by those who were inspired by God. Who decided they were inspired? What inspired them to be inspired as to who was inspired or what was inspired? Why could this not all be Revealed Knowledge? Afterall aren't the Ten Commandments revealed knowledge?
Page 31 "If all Scripture is not inspired, then we have a flawed manual." With differen things in diffrent bibles and different translations some must have a flawed manual, perhaps all of them.
Page 35 Bevere attempts to make use of statistics, starting out with the chance of picking a white ball out of a bucket being one in ten then leaped to "...fulfilled all eight prophecies as 1 in 100 quadrillion." It has the same logic as 'if i throw a stone at the ocean there is a chance it will land on the sun.'
Page 44 "Other than Jesus Christ, there is not one human being who has ever lived or ever will live who continuously did or does good according to God's evaluation." Makes you want to not bother trying.
It's not doing good or trying to do good but being obedient that counts (page 47). So why bother trying, why read the bible you are only going to be sinful? The author goes into numerous examples of Christians being adulters, living together before marriage and how even such practices are commonplace, but not obedient to God (er the Bible). Slavery was common in the time of the bible; is it okay to go back to that or is the bible flawed?
Page 127 the author talks about changes to services becoming tight, relevant, attractive and fun yet changes in what are acceptable to society (such as sex before marriage) are not acceptable to him. I suppose the discerning factor is if it was mentioned in the bible or not. He believes God is pleased with the excellence in atmosphere that has created. Is not part of that atmosphere a relaxation of morals?
In regards to Judah (page 75) "Judas left all he had to follow Me. He was one of the elite 12. He preached the kingdom of God. He healed th sick, gave to the poor, and got people free. Judas is in hell." Who hardened Judas' heart? Did not God need Judas to betray Jesus so the cruxfixition could take place (and all the ensuing sequence)?
Page 80 The author distinguishes between God's presence and God's blessing. It is confusing as i thought God was present everywhere but apparently he is more present in some places than others (like in the vehicle with the Korean Minister, Dr Cho - page 125) and sometimes not present at all. If a meal is being blessed does that mean God is not present if it is one or the other?
Page 95 The author claims immoral things shown in movies today would not have been accepted by audiences seventy years ago. It might be more what the Censors decreed was acceptable. If what Bevere sates was true there wouldn't have been adult films at all and they would not have been watched in other countries with less restrictions.
Page 96 "The world fosters worthlessnes." Seems a preposterous statement. I am part of the world; I don't foster worthlessness.
Page 98 "When it comes to defining the world, so much emphasis has been placed on form rather than motive." I agree.
I suppose I could end the review on agreeing on something and got bring up the other items that were alarming (being addicted to the Dallas Cowboys) but I'll close on one aspect (page 224) "...resources, riches, wealth, and abundance are good. But if those are your target, you'll lack discernment to recognize if the means to acquire them are evil." There is no discussion on how plundering the environment is detrimental to all of us. In the pursuit of abundance the environment is deplenished.
So i thought this was going to be about a higher level of good akin to Kolhberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning: through conflict one attains a higher evaluation such as pleasing others is better than pleasing self, or deferring to authority is better than avoiding punishment, or keeping a committment is grander than that, and looking after the well-being of others is the highest attainment (in Kolhberg's hierarchy).
The book might have been better titled "The Fear of God" or "Fear God". The author points out it is not enough to accept Christ but one has to fear God. He doesn't say that specifically but that is the gist. It is not a book for non-Christians, as other reviewers also point out, but for believers to sharpen their faith. However why couldn't a non-believer like myself get something out of it. I can see why it is not suited to those considering converting as it is more of a lengthy sermon for those in the faith.
I didn't find that the book stuck to the topic very well but came around to the issue again in the final chapters. The author wanted to take shots at how he considered modern faith has relegated the true meaning of the bible taking a backseat to contemporary belief, which he finds incompatible.
He starts with a story of a famous well loved person dying due to an automobile mishap but doesn't name the person. The person I could think of that fit the bill was Princess Grace of Monaco. Perhaps he didn't want to say who it was as he was suggesting that although she led a good life it was not a God fearing life, and people might take exception.
In starting with a definition of good he refers to Sales & Marketing 101 that a product must feel, look, sound, taste, or smell good. Later notes that "Most are deceived by and drawn to behavior and things that seem right, good, and wise but are contrary to His wisdom".
As a vegetarian I recognize that cooked meat tastes good but the animal is better off not being dead. That to me is a higher good and (for the most part) at odds with the bible, which proclaims man has dominance over the animals, which Christians take to mean entitler to kill them. So i am at odds with that. Some Christian vegetarians claim there are only two references to eating flesh in the New Testament, feeding people fish at the Sermon at the Mount. They suggest it is a misintepretation of ancient Greek and it was actually eggplant.
The author also uses an examples of intepretation where one has to go back to original script to gain the true meaning.
"What seems good may actually be detrimental, harmful, and non-productive..." (Page 10)
Again i can relate because i am aware that by eating eggs (the animal doesn't have to die) i may contribute to hens being kept in closed cramped cages, so i buy eggs from Free Range hens. I used to have my own chickens, i saved from a stewing pot (as they had became non-productive) and they in turn (perhaps out of appreciation) laid me six eggs a week each. My hens were allowed to live a long healthy free ranging non-productive life. I realize that is not the outcome for all Free Range chickens but have some satisfaction in contributing to a partially "happy" existence. But isn't it a lie, to the animals, that we create a false environment of security and contentment only to kill them when their weight gain is no longer economically profitable?
On page 18 the author begins the discussion around to 'revealed' knowledge vs 'communicated' knowledge. The former being what God communicates directly (i.e. to Adam in the Garden of Evil) and the latter being heard second hand (what Adam told Eve). Bevere goes on to state (page 19) that "hell's forces can more easily deceive those who only possess communicated knowledge.
Which begs the question why can't we all have revealed knowledge? Surely it is within God's power. In the author's experience (page 20) "communicated knowledge is sometimes more dangerous than the absence of knowledge."
Page 23/24 "The serpent got Eve to believe there was something good for her that God was withholding. If this was successfully accomplished in a perfect environment, with a woman who had never been abused, offended or taken advantage of, how much easier is the enemy's task today in a fallen world filled with offense, corruption, perversion, and deceit?" Indeed! Who made this world and why can't we all have revealed knowledge?
Page 31 "Something can have the aprearance of good yet be just the opposite. There are concepts, assumptions, opinions, qualities, ways of reasoning, and thought patterns that seem good and right yet aren't. Due to these hidden dangers God has given us a life instruction manual so we don't unknowingly veer away from the truth... It's the Bible."
Pages 25-26 "God clearly states: 'Study this book of Istructions continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everthing written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do [Joshua 1:8 NLT]' Clearly accepting Jesus into your life is not enough.
What to do about what is written? Does one follow the Protestant bible of 66 books or the Catholic one of 72/73 or the Ethopian one of 88 books, and what of the unincluded Gospels of Thomas, Philip, Mary...? We are told the word of the bible was written by those who were inspired by God. Who decided they were inspired? What inspired them to be inspired as to who was inspired or what was inspired? Why could this not all be Revealed Knowledge? Afterall aren't the Ten Commandments revealed knowledge?
Page 31 "If all Scripture is not inspired, then we have a flawed manual." With differen things in diffrent bibles and different translations some must have a flawed manual, perhaps all of them.
Page 35 Bevere attempts to make use of statistics, starting out with the chance of picking a white ball out of a bucket being one in ten then leaped to "...fulfilled all eight prophecies as 1 in 100 quadrillion." It has the same logic as 'if i throw a stone at the ocean there is a chance it will land on the sun.'
Page 44 "Other than Jesus Christ, there is not one human being who has ever lived or ever will live who continuously did or does good according to God's evaluation." Makes you want to not bother trying.
It's not doing good or trying to do good but being obedient that counts (page 47). So why bother trying, why read the bible you are only going to be sinful? The author goes into numerous examples of Christians being adulters, living together before marriage and how even such practices are commonplace, but not obedient to God (er the Bible). Slavery was common in the time of the bible; is it okay to go back to that or is the bible flawed?
Page 127 the author talks about changes to services becoming tight, relevant, attractive and fun yet changes in what are acceptable to society (such as sex before marriage) are not acceptable to him. I suppose the discerning factor is if it was mentioned in the bible or not. He believes God is pleased with the excellence in atmosphere that has created. Is not part of that atmosphere a relaxation of morals?
In regards to Judah (page 75) "Judas left all he had to follow Me. He was one of the elite 12. He preached the kingdom of God. He healed th sick, gave to the poor, and got people free. Judas is in hell." Who hardened Judas' heart? Did not God need Judas to betray Jesus so the cruxfixition could take place (and all the ensuing sequence)?
Page 80 The author distinguishes between God's presence and God's blessing. It is confusing as i thought God was present everywhere but apparently he is more present in some places than others (like in the vehicle with the Korean Minister, Dr Cho - page 125) and sometimes not present at all. If a meal is being blessed does that mean God is not present if it is one or the other?
Page 95 The author claims immoral things shown in movies today would not have been accepted by audiences seventy years ago. It might be more what the Censors decreed was acceptable. If what Bevere sates was true there wouldn't have been adult films at all and they would not have been watched in other countries with less restrictions.
Page 96 "The world fosters worthlessnes." Seems a preposterous statement. I am part of the world; I don't foster worthlessness.
Page 98 "When it comes to defining the world, so much emphasis has been placed on form rather than motive." I agree.
I suppose I could end the review on agreeing on something and got bring up the other items that were alarming (being addicted to the Dallas Cowboys) but I'll close on one aspect (page 224) "...resources, riches, wealth, and abundance are good. But if those are your target, you'll lack discernment to recognize if the means to acquire them are evil." There is no discussion on how plundering the environment is detrimental to all of us. In the pursuit of abundance the environment is deplenished.
December 3, 2015
I think this is an important book. It points out things that we have let slide in our Christian walk due to over-exposure with the world. I found myself checking up on myself with every page! It’s a book that brings us back into harmony with God – thinking like He thinks so we can live like He lives.
March 9, 2020
Such powerful truths. Bevere is still one of my fave Christian authors because he doesn't sugarcoat anything! I definitely recommend this.
June 28, 2019
For the last few weeks, God has been asking me to dream bigger, pray bigger, and dare bigger. This book fits well within those challenges as Mr. Bevere lays out the foundation for fully trusting in the grace we've been given and then accessing it to do what God has called us to do without holding back or leaning on our own thoughts and resources but instead trusting in His provision in every area. Can you imagine what our legacy would be if we could fully grasp God's grace and provision and were fully obedient to His call and direction? That's what I want to do, and thanks to the encouragement and mindset changing words in this book, I'm daring to think bigger. Pray bigger. Dream bigger. And my goal is to continue to let those things snowball into bigger and bigger thoughts, prayers, and dreams.
August 24, 2015
This Book is a definite MUST-READ for all Christians. It displays the kind of Academic and theological prowess as people like Smith Wigglesworth. A truly timely book that is changing my life already. In this book he looks at the importance of Holiness and the vital tool the all believers need to have sharpened the ability to discern whether something is Good Or GOD.
November 5, 2022
very convicting! love it
September 14, 2018
This book is thick and challenging. I don’t recommend the audiobook because of the depth of thought that is almost required to really dive in, but highly recommend the book. This will challenge the reader how to work out their faith with fear and trembling and how there is a way of man that leads to death and a way of God that leads to life.
May 25, 2018
Personal response:
this book in the way it is written is an extremely thought-provoking book, that I really enjoyed reading. I didn't completely agree with all his views, but enough that I learned a lot, and he put forth some ideas I'd never thought of before, which really made me sit back and think.
Plot:
John Bevere dives into why good without God just isn't sufficient, and how to gain discernment to know the difference. He talks a lot about not being saved by faith alone, but that deeds are also necessary. What he was saying was that good without God is sufficient and how to know the difference. This book is not light-hearted but a true deep thought invoking book that makes you think about your faith. The author talks about several deferent points that really make you think as to why you believe what you believe.
Characterization:
The book is told from the first person point of view. The main concept is about testing your faith and growing in it. There are many different points he made to show the weakness you may have in your faith to help you grow in them. They show how the stronger your faith is the more hardships that you can get through with the goodness of God. This book really helps you try to grow in one's faith.
Recomedation:
I would recommend The Good or God to tenth grade and beyond because some of the subject matter is more mature. I also would suggest this to someone who is strong in their faith and looking to grow in it both males and females would enjoy this book because there really is no main character.
this book in the way it is written is an extremely thought-provoking book, that I really enjoyed reading. I didn't completely agree with all his views, but enough that I learned a lot, and he put forth some ideas I'd never thought of before, which really made me sit back and think.
Plot:
John Bevere dives into why good without God just isn't sufficient, and how to gain discernment to know the difference. He talks a lot about not being saved by faith alone, but that deeds are also necessary. What he was saying was that good without God is sufficient and how to know the difference. This book is not light-hearted but a true deep thought invoking book that makes you think about your faith. The author talks about several deferent points that really make you think as to why you believe what you believe.
Characterization:
The book is told from the first person point of view. The main concept is about testing your faith and growing in it. There are many different points he made to show the weakness you may have in your faith to help you grow in them. They show how the stronger your faith is the more hardships that you can get through with the goodness of God. This book really helps you try to grow in one's faith.
Recomedation:
I would recommend The Good or God to tenth grade and beyond because some of the subject matter is more mature. I also would suggest this to someone who is strong in their faith and looking to grow in it both males and females would enjoy this book because there really is no main character.
March 14, 2020
For the last few months, God has been asking me to dream bigger, pray bigger, and dare bigger. This book fits well within those challenges as Mr. Bevere lays out the foundation for fully trusting in the grace we've been given and then accessing it to do what God has called us to do without holding back or leaning on our own thoughts and resources but instead trusting in His provision in every area. Can you imagine what our legacy would be if we could fully grasp God's grace and provision and were fully obedient to His call and direction? That's what I want to do, and thanks to the encouragement and mindset changing words in this book, I'm daring to think bigger. Pray bigger. Dream bigger. And my goal is to continue to let those things snowball into bigger and bigger thoughts, prayers, and dreams.
July 4, 2017
The most relevant and necessary book in today's Christian market.
January 30, 2017
John Bevere is an amazing writer that speaks directly to the heart. His message is a wake up call. This book changed the way I view the world and my relationship with the Lord.
Thank you God for the wonderful words you have given your servant, John, to share with us.
Thank you God for the wonderful words you have given your servant, John, to share with us.
October 9, 2016
Truthfully, if I can get through a non-fiction book it has to be fairly good and readable. My church did a smalll group study on Good or God? And watched the dvds. The dvds are exactly the same as the book - same stories, examples, and points - so you really don't need both but since I'm a slow reader it was great to have because I was always behind.
I liked this book because it wasn't all fluff. It really challenged me to examine my life and work on what is is keeping me from God's presence. It's still a work in progress but Bevere addresses issues that everyone needs to hear like the importance of obedience and seeking God's best rather than our own. He really looks in depth at scripture passage, using quality over quantity which is great. (When it's the reverse it drives me crazy.) I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to get more mature in their faith. Like I said before, it's a work in progress but the book is a good starting point.
I liked this book because it wasn't all fluff. It really challenged me to examine my life and work on what is is keeping me from God's presence. It's still a work in progress but Bevere addresses issues that everyone needs to hear like the importance of obedience and seeking God's best rather than our own. He really looks in depth at scripture passage, using quality over quantity which is great. (When it's the reverse it drives me crazy.) I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to get more mature in their faith. Like I said before, it's a work in progress but the book is a good starting point.
June 12, 2019
"If you believe in the Gospel what you like, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - St. Augustine of Hippo
When I open a nonfiction book, I generally like to scan to the back to see how thick the bibliography section is. 🤷🏻♀️ This book doesn't have a huge stash of ODG references in the back, but it IS a good, thought-provoking read on worldliness, holiness, and truth. It definitely doesn't hit as hard as, say, R.A. Torrey, but I am happy regardless that books like these are being shared in mainline circles.
This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being The Bait of Satan -- now that's a book that was transformational for my spiritual life! Although I am still new to his teachings (via podcast, YT, books, etc.), I have found them always founded on the Word and not catering to popular opinion.
Happy reading! 📖
When I open a nonfiction book, I generally like to scan to the back to see how thick the bibliography section is. 🤷🏻♀️ This book doesn't have a huge stash of ODG references in the back, but it IS a good, thought-provoking read on worldliness, holiness, and truth. It definitely doesn't hit as hard as, say, R.A. Torrey, but I am happy regardless that books like these are being shared in mainline circles.
This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being The Bait of Satan -- now that's a book that was transformational for my spiritual life! Although I am still new to his teachings (via podcast, YT, books, etc.), I have found them always founded on the Word and not catering to popular opinion.
Happy reading! 📖
July 7, 2017
I understand a lot of the mindset behind this book, and I appreciate and trust that Bevere backs up his words with scripture. However, I found this book to be more discouraging than encouraging. Sanctification is a lifelong process, but focusing so heavily on obedience only reminds me of how hopelessly flawed I am. I'm an average human with average struggles and average secular passions, but this book made me feel like i needed to put up a wall between myself and the world and be a superchristian in order to really know God. I understood his perspective, but it didn't all sit well with me.
July 9, 2020
Interessante a ótica do autor para abordar principalmente a razão de discernirmos o bem. Como escrito em Hb 5:14 devemos nos tornar aptos para discernir tanto o bem quanto o mal. A reflexão de como Eva foi atraída pelo lado bom da árvore do conhecimento do bem e do mal (Gn 3:6) nos mostra que como em Pv 14:12 "Há caminho que parece certo ao homem, mas no final conduz à morte".
Além de tratar de temas como santidade e o temor do Senhor, algo que sempre se fez necessário entre o povo de Deus. O livro incita a não menosprezar o valor, o poder e a extensão do senhorio de Jesus e seu impacto em nossas vidas.
Além de tratar de temas como santidade e o temor do Senhor, algo que sempre se fez necessário entre o povo de Deus. O livro incita a não menosprezar o valor, o poder e a extensão do senhorio de Jesus e seu impacto em nossas vidas.
June 11, 2016
I was confronted by the author using scripture to show where I allow the world and its view of good to shade how I viewed what God says and to let the world replace or water down what the word says. He starts with foundational beliefs and builds to what it should look like in the life of a believer. He contrasts what the world and even well meaning people in the ministry (he does not give names), and what the Bible clearly states.
May 8, 2022
I loved this book. It was very relevant to the challenges facing 21st century Christians especially in the days of "relative truth." It was a wonderful reminder to use discernment and find Godly counsel, to choose the best over the good, and to use the resources God has entrusted to us. I love how it drew from so many Biblical stories and texts and showcased how to make them practical in daily living. In general, I recommend any of John Bevere's books, but this one was particularly good.
December 30, 2016
I need to read this book again. Very challenged and convicted as I am with all of John's books. John is biblically solid and writes in relevant, hard-hitting yet compassionate manner. I thank God for such a solid messenger of truth.
September 18, 2017
This book was a bit difficult to get through. It definitely had some good (and convicting) points, but there were other parts that I didn't really agree with. Not sure that I would recommend it to others without caveats.
March 13, 2023
EYE-OPENER. I feel like everyone should read this book, EVERYONE.
March 21, 2017
I didn't finish this book. I made it part way, and stopped. It was a tough read. A few good points, but a lot that I disagreed with. See below for my notes from the summer. I haven't picked it up since, and i'm not sure if I will...
Chapter 1-3
It’s interesting reading this, in combination with Brene Brown’s work. Brene brown focuses on the fact that you’re good enough, and you shouldn’t be stuck in shame, but to get back out there!
Bevere takes the opposite approach. You’re not good enough, and you’re never good enough, and you never will be. So just sit back down and give up. (Okay, so I added that last bit, that that’s how I felt reading it.) He makes it clear that no one is good, and even if you are ‘good’ then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, so you’re not actually good. There’s no hope in his writing. No salvation. No redemption. You’re not good.
Chapter 4
This one was tough. Chapter 4 focuses on how you’re not actually saved unless you’re doing God’s will. So apparently (my words here, but I don’t know how to find a different conclusion, based off of what he’s saying) you’re not saved by Grace, but by works. And those works, are following God’s Will. But, I ask, how do you know what God’s will for your life is? It’s not like he’s given us a road map. I’m worried he’s going to come up and tell us what God’s will is.. and if so, then he’s putting himself in God’s place, and this is really sounding like laying the foundation for a cult. Alarms area going off in my head like crazy. I had to put the book down for a week after finishing Chapter 4, because I couldn’t handle this. There’s no hope. Now, you’re telling me that I may not actually be saved? But I have no way of knowing. It’s all guess work
Chapter 5 wasn’t a lot better. Here he focuses on the rich ruler who asked Jesus ‘what must I do to be saved’. Then he focuses back on how you have to die to yourself, and become an enemy of the world (or at least not a friend of the world) and pick up your cross and follow him.
Again, we still don’t know what we need to ‘do’ to make this happen. He did point out that he’s done it. He dropped a potentially lucrative career in engineering to become a minister. So clearly he’s holier than we are. ..
Chapter 6 was better. This talked about the story of Moses, and how his focus was always more on being in the presence of God, rather than getting the benefits from God. God wants to know us. He wants to have a relationship with us. But it is usually we who back away from him. He uses the example of the Israelites after crossing the red sea, God asked them to prepare themselves to see him, but they were afraid, and asked Moses to be their mouth interpreter / messenger, and to talk to God, and then come back to them. We need to clean ourselves, and want to be with him, and know him. Not focus on what we can get from him.
Chapter 7
God is jealous for us. He wants us to live for him, but in order for that, we have to clean ourselves. We can't live for the world and for God.
Also, we have to watch out for legalism.
Chapter 8 - friendship
Friendship with the world is a problem. But what is that? Taking anything, even things that are 'good', and putting them before our relationship with God. That is a problem.
Chapter 9 - holiness
God wants us to be Holy. Which means to cast away our sinful lives, and live for him. This is difficult because, by our nature, we are sinners. But with God's help, anything is possible!
Jesus will only let us into his presence if we are holy...
Holiness is broken down into two things - position and behaviour. Our position is set - but our behaviour is what we will be judged in.
Discussion:
It's not how you start your relationship with Jesus, it's how you finish.
This book is about the pursuit of the relationship with Jesus. If you don't continue to pursue the relationship with Jesus, it will fade, and could break. Think of it this way - when the author talks about how you have to be holy, or do God's will, what he means is you have to have desire - to pursue the relationship with God. You won't be perfect, but that's when Grace comes into place - to bring us to holiness, from where our Megan attempts to where we want to be.
Chapter 1-3
It’s interesting reading this, in combination with Brene Brown’s work. Brene brown focuses on the fact that you’re good enough, and you shouldn’t be stuck in shame, but to get back out there!
Bevere takes the opposite approach. You’re not good enough, and you’re never good enough, and you never will be. So just sit back down and give up. (Okay, so I added that last bit, that that’s how I felt reading it.) He makes it clear that no one is good, and even if you are ‘good’ then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, so you’re not actually good. There’s no hope in his writing. No salvation. No redemption. You’re not good.
Chapter 4
This one was tough. Chapter 4 focuses on how you’re not actually saved unless you’re doing God’s will. So apparently (my words here, but I don’t know how to find a different conclusion, based off of what he’s saying) you’re not saved by Grace, but by works. And those works, are following God’s Will. But, I ask, how do you know what God’s will for your life is? It’s not like he’s given us a road map. I’m worried he’s going to come up and tell us what God’s will is.. and if so, then he’s putting himself in God’s place, and this is really sounding like laying the foundation for a cult. Alarms area going off in my head like crazy. I had to put the book down for a week after finishing Chapter 4, because I couldn’t handle this. There’s no hope. Now, you’re telling me that I may not actually be saved? But I have no way of knowing. It’s all guess work
Chapter 5 wasn’t a lot better. Here he focuses on the rich ruler who asked Jesus ‘what must I do to be saved’. Then he focuses back on how you have to die to yourself, and become an enemy of the world (or at least not a friend of the world) and pick up your cross and follow him.
Again, we still don’t know what we need to ‘do’ to make this happen. He did point out that he’s done it. He dropped a potentially lucrative career in engineering to become a minister. So clearly he’s holier than we are. ..
Chapter 6 was better. This talked about the story of Moses, and how his focus was always more on being in the presence of God, rather than getting the benefits from God. God wants to know us. He wants to have a relationship with us. But it is usually we who back away from him. He uses the example of the Israelites after crossing the red sea, God asked them to prepare themselves to see him, but they were afraid, and asked Moses to be their mouth interpreter / messenger, and to talk to God, and then come back to them. We need to clean ourselves, and want to be with him, and know him. Not focus on what we can get from him.
Chapter 7
God is jealous for us. He wants us to live for him, but in order for that, we have to clean ourselves. We can't live for the world and for God.
Also, we have to watch out for legalism.
Chapter 8 - friendship
Friendship with the world is a problem. But what is that? Taking anything, even things that are 'good', and putting them before our relationship with God. That is a problem.
Chapter 9 - holiness
God wants us to be Holy. Which means to cast away our sinful lives, and live for him. This is difficult because, by our nature, we are sinners. But with God's help, anything is possible!
Jesus will only let us into his presence if we are holy...
Holiness is broken down into two things - position and behaviour. Our position is set - but our behaviour is what we will be judged in.
Discussion:
It's not how you start your relationship with Jesus, it's how you finish.
This book is about the pursuit of the relationship with Jesus. If you don't continue to pursue the relationship with Jesus, it will fade, and could break. Think of it this way - when the author talks about how you have to be holy, or do God's will, what he means is you have to have desire - to pursue the relationship with God. You won't be perfect, but that's when Grace comes into place - to bring us to holiness, from where our Megan attempts to where we want to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2021
Holiness VS human desire
One of the first points made in this book is regarding deception as an active, living force that perverts our perspective of God’s character.
This deception punctures our decision-making, creating an opening to reject God and decide for ourselves what is good.
Essentially, as soon as we're deceived into believing God’s character is no longer perfect, righteous, faithful, loving, good and holy, we humans will create our own standard of what is good.
Following such a choice, initiates our downfall. On the whole, this is the life humanity has chosen.
As written in Scripture, there are few who walk the path of God and many who choose the broad road of moral relativism:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13 – 14
As a general stance in western society, we ignore our Father in Heaven—the Grand Creator and Designer who knows best—and choose what is right in our own eyes.
The prevailing commentary—or warning, depending on how we opt to read this book—revolves around this verse:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
Good becomes relative to the individual; however, God’s good is a different standard that requires diligence with the Word and a mind to receive the Spirit.
One of the great questions asked is: Are we feeding from the tree of our own valuation?
It's a powerful, discerning question that we should all pause to contemplate on, even if we're not Christians.
Good or God is a solid thesis on holiness VS ‘right in man’s eyes.’
The reason I give this a 4-star rating is because I’m comparing it to the works of other authors like Andrew Murray, C.S Lewis, A.W Tozer, Timothy Keller, Philip Yancey, and John Bevere's own book Bait of Satan - a masterpiece.
https://stephen-l-france.com/
One of the first points made in this book is regarding deception as an active, living force that perverts our perspective of God’s character.
This deception punctures our decision-making, creating an opening to reject God and decide for ourselves what is good.
Essentially, as soon as we're deceived into believing God’s character is no longer perfect, righteous, faithful, loving, good and holy, we humans will create our own standard of what is good.
Following such a choice, initiates our downfall. On the whole, this is the life humanity has chosen.
As written in Scripture, there are few who walk the path of God and many who choose the broad road of moral relativism:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13 – 14
As a general stance in western society, we ignore our Father in Heaven—the Grand Creator and Designer who knows best—and choose what is right in our own eyes.
The prevailing commentary—or warning, depending on how we opt to read this book—revolves around this verse:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
Good becomes relative to the individual; however, God’s good is a different standard that requires diligence with the Word and a mind to receive the Spirit.
One of the great questions asked is: Are we feeding from the tree of our own valuation?
It's a powerful, discerning question that we should all pause to contemplate on, even if we're not Christians.
Good or God is a solid thesis on holiness VS ‘right in man’s eyes.’
The reason I give this a 4-star rating is because I’m comparing it to the works of other authors like Andrew Murray, C.S Lewis, A.W Tozer, Timothy Keller, Philip Yancey, and John Bevere's own book Bait of Satan - a masterpiece.
https://stephen-l-france.com/
April 21, 2023
Good or God is about discernment. Are you pure enough, holy enough, to discern what seems good, but may not be from God?
The book starts with a discussion about what salvation is and isn't. It isn't a quick prayer of belief then returning to living your own old way. It's about Lordship; Living for God and choosing His Presence over just His promises. It's about coming out of Egypt and the world's ways into God's ways of Holiness.
This book makes good points and asks good questions such as on PG. 123. Are you being transformed and representing God's character to the world? Or are you blocking the Holy Spirit's power for transformation and merely presenting a form of religion to the world?
Bevere says that the motivation behind sin is s selfishness, or a sinful nature (PG 130-131) and devotes many pages to explaining it. I have also heard sin defined as a lack of love for God and others. Or choosing your own ways over God's way and being lawless. Or being enslaved to and choosing your lusts over relying on God's power and your new nature (Ephesians 4:21-24). Or choosing your lusts over God and others. I think self-focus does explain sin and it's consequences.
Things I want to remember:
-Lawlessness increases as the Holy Spirit's influence decreases (PG. 201).
-God's power is in us after salvation and is immeasurable (Ephesians 1:18-19). Grace empowers our pursuit of holiness (PG. 142).
-God's presence comes after obedience to His commands (PG. 146) so stop sinning.
-Challenging words or truth must be spoken by loving the people you're addressing (PG. 169). Yearn for your audiences well-being.
-Shine the light of God so others will see and honor your God (PG. 217).
-Wait for God. Good may look like Go, but be disguised evil from Satan (don't make an Ishmael, wait for Isaac PG. 228-232).
-Holy fear or reverence allows us to know God (PG. 197-198).
-Don't forsake the right way as Solomon did, or your discernment will be dull, and unable to tell you right from wrong or evil (PG. 187). Discernment helps us understand the fear of the Lord, Proverbs 2:3-5.
The book starts with a discussion about what salvation is and isn't. It isn't a quick prayer of belief then returning to living your own old way. It's about Lordship; Living for God and choosing His Presence over just His promises. It's about coming out of Egypt and the world's ways into God's ways of Holiness.
This book makes good points and asks good questions such as on PG. 123. Are you being transformed and representing God's character to the world? Or are you blocking the Holy Spirit's power for transformation and merely presenting a form of religion to the world?
Bevere says that the motivation behind sin is s selfishness, or a sinful nature (PG 130-131) and devotes many pages to explaining it. I have also heard sin defined as a lack of love for God and others. Or choosing your own ways over God's way and being lawless. Or being enslaved to and choosing your lusts over relying on God's power and your new nature (Ephesians 4:21-24). Or choosing your lusts over God and others. I think self-focus does explain sin and it's consequences.
Things I want to remember:
-Lawlessness increases as the Holy Spirit's influence decreases (PG. 201).
-God's power is in us after salvation and is immeasurable (Ephesians 1:18-19). Grace empowers our pursuit of holiness (PG. 142).
-God's presence comes after obedience to His commands (PG. 146) so stop sinning.
-Challenging words or truth must be spoken by loving the people you're addressing (PG. 169). Yearn for your audiences well-being.
-Shine the light of God so others will see and honor your God (PG. 217).
-Wait for God. Good may look like Go, but be disguised evil from Satan (don't make an Ishmael, wait for Isaac PG. 228-232).
-Holy fear or reverence allows us to know God (PG. 197-198).
-Don't forsake the right way as Solomon did, or your discernment will be dull, and unable to tell you right from wrong or evil (PG. 187). Discernment helps us understand the fear of the Lord, Proverbs 2:3-5.
March 16, 2017
Definitely a book inspired by the Holy Spirit!
A very sobering read and a great reminder of the apostle Paul's words: "... I am allowed to do anything - but not everything is beneficial"
I remember hearing a pastor many years ago say "the good is the enemy of the best" That stuck with me! I have to say this is specially true when the best is God'd best and the good is not.
I love John's reminder on how the enemy loves to deceive; be it by twisting the truth, omitting Part of the truth, or down right not telling the truth. The fact is that he can only do that by presenting something that appears good, thus our need for discernment. Is this apparently good thing, a God thing?
He warns us to listen to the voice of God in this rather than our own desires, lest we get to the place where the discernment of the Holy Spirit becomes silent. I've had a very recent incident with this, and noticed even more recently how that apprehension I sensed [was almost certain about] in this particular matter, is now gone, I've also noticed s greater deal of confusion as I let the situation linger. What once seemed so clear I have now muddied, for lack of action. Needles to say it has been a convicting and influential read. I am sure the words written in these pages will resound in my life for many (if not all) years to come
Lord, open my eyes to discern your good and perfect will over these other seemingly good things that in the end lead me away from you
A very sobering read and a great reminder of the apostle Paul's words: "... I am allowed to do anything - but not everything is beneficial"
I remember hearing a pastor many years ago say "the good is the enemy of the best" That stuck with me! I have to say this is specially true when the best is God'd best and the good is not.
I love John's reminder on how the enemy loves to deceive; be it by twisting the truth, omitting Part of the truth, or down right not telling the truth. The fact is that he can only do that by presenting something that appears good, thus our need for discernment. Is this apparently good thing, a God thing?
He warns us to listen to the voice of God in this rather than our own desires, lest we get to the place where the discernment of the Holy Spirit becomes silent. I've had a very recent incident with this, and noticed even more recently how that apprehension I sensed [was almost certain about] in this particular matter, is now gone, I've also noticed s greater deal of confusion as I let the situation linger. What once seemed so clear I have now muddied, for lack of action. Needles to say it has been a convicting and influential read. I am sure the words written in these pages will resound in my life for many (if not all) years to come
Lord, open my eyes to discern your good and perfect will over these other seemingly good things that in the end lead me away from you
February 26, 2019
The more of his books I read, the more I believe that John is one of the most anointed teachers of our time. His messages are inspired, convicting, and have the potential to completely rewire your walk with Christ. This book is no exception to that trend. The message of holy living blends nicely with his latest book Killing Kryptonite and it is one that is sorely needed in our time. If you are serious about your Christian walk and desperately looking for the keys to walking in more authentic power, grace and love, this book is a must read!
Favorite Quote: “To confess Jesus merely as Savior doesn’t bring freedom or new life. I realize this is a strong statement that cuts against the grain of our accepted appeals to the lost, but it is true to scripture. The word Savior is found 36 times in the Bible, the word Lord occurs over 7,800 times. Where do you think God places the emphasis? Lord declares the position He holds in our life whereas Savior describes the work He has done for us. We cannot partake of the benefits of his work unless we come under His position as Lord and king.”
Favorite Quote: “To confess Jesus merely as Savior doesn’t bring freedom or new life. I realize this is a strong statement that cuts against the grain of our accepted appeals to the lost, but it is true to scripture. The word Savior is found 36 times in the Bible, the word Lord occurs over 7,800 times. Where do you think God places the emphasis? Lord declares the position He holds in our life whereas Savior describes the work He has done for us. We cannot partake of the benefits of his work unless we come under His position as Lord and king.”
June 22, 2017
John Bevere has opened my eyes to the whole truth of God's grace! Today we seek fulfillment in our own natures and not God's glory and grace. In doing so we lean towards completely uplifting messages that are full of sweet emotion but little to no truth. Our intentions are "good" by our own definition but we as individuals and a church do not see the harm we are creating for ourselves and others by not fully being obedient to God's will and Jesus's commandments. This book is course correcting, eye opening, heart expanding, and so much more! My relationship with God is so much deeper and more filling then it has ever been after reading this book! Living the Christian walk is not easy, especially in today's world where false teachings have fun a muck, but the true depth of joy that God can bless us with is so overwhelmingly amazing and as a believer I encourage everyone to read this book and open your hearts to the change, courage, and holiness God wants for you and willingly gives you.
January 30, 2018
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had expected it to be a lighthearted Christian book but it in fact was pretty deep. The author does a great job at saying some things we rarely hear in churches. Topics like personal holiness, obedience to God, Jesus as Lord and not just Savior, the empowerment of grace, and other topics regarding Christian maturity. The overall point of the book is that sometimes what we view as good things aren't good at all if they're detached from the Lord.
A few criticisms of the book are that it had an awkward start and it took a long time to really get a feel for where the author was going with the book. I thought there could've been a chapter on the difference between those who struggle vs. those who claim salvation but don't live it out. I think some readers could walk away from the book feeling defeated. Even though they shouldn't.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
A few criticisms of the book are that it had an awkward start and it took a long time to really get a feel for where the author was going with the book. I thought there could've been a chapter on the difference between those who struggle vs. those who claim salvation but don't live it out. I think some readers could walk away from the book feeling defeated. Even though they shouldn't.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
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