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Throw the First Punch: Defeating the Enemy Hell-Bent on Your Destruction
In this modern-day collection of our enemy’s activities, learn to anticipate how Satan will attack and discern powerful techniques to preemptively fight against him.
Learn to fight against the Devil.
Through biblical examples and engaging stories from Beth Guckenberger’s own life experiences, become equipped and encouraged to battle Satan with boldness and wisdom. Throw the First Punch will teach readers how to fight
This resource teaches readers to draw up a spiritual combat plan and be prepared to enter into the battles of everyday life. Live in the power and freedom God created for you, and throw the first punch!
Learn to fight against the Devil.
Through biblical examples and engaging stories from Beth Guckenberger’s own life experiences, become equipped and encouraged to battle Satan with boldness and wisdom. Throw the First Punch will teach readers how to fight
This resource teaches readers to draw up a spiritual combat plan and be prepared to enter into the battles of everyday life. Live in the power and freedom God created for you, and throw the first punch!
- GenresChristianFaithNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2022
51 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 3, 2023
I hesitate to even give this a 2 star rating. She uses the Passion "translation" which is a heretical paraphrase. I implore anyone reading this to pick up the book Counterfeit Kingdom by Holly Pivec. Reading this right after Counterfeit Kingdom, I can see glaring NAR theology and errors. While there is good stuff in this book, it is meant for the discerning person and not for all Christians. Furthermore, and the thing that bothered me the most, is how Beth gives so much power to Satan. The devil cannot be everywhere at once and yet she seems to think the Enemy, ie Satan, is constantly coming at her. No. If he is with one person, he cannot be with someone else. Satan is not omnipresent, omnipotent, nor omniscient. She also seems to think far too many sins are the devil instead of a person's own sinful nature. Definitely do not recommend.
April 22, 2025
“He trains my hands for war.” Psalm 114:1
5 million stars. Obnoxiously influential in opening my eyes to God's perspective of the lies I have believed. I have never felt so seen in my insecurities and fears and then encouraged to fight, read the word and a responsibility to be better.
(Note for Gab, you have more notes in google docs.)
A very clear theme is how REAL the spiritual realm is! I’ve heard about demons but Beth has several personal examples even, and in not being afraid to share them, she takes away the “make believe” aspect Satan wants us to believe so that he can hide in plain sight. “Satan wants me oblivious. God wants me vigilant.” 78
Also, Beth is so humble! I didn’t know who she was, but then as we went through the book, I realized what a faithful and impactful woman she is through her stories.
Main favorite parts that I still think about daily:
- “The question: If I were the enemy, what would I want to happen here?…We can anticipate his moves and make choices to block his success.” 18
- “Worry is just meditation in the wrong direction.” So flip it. “If I am worried about my health, I can thank God for how my body is working. If I am worried about money, I can recount past provision and rejoice in how He has provided.” 155
- "You can tell the quality of someone’s inner life by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage them.” Graham Cooke 163
- God used, protected and acknowledged women throughout the entire Bible, even when ancient culture didn’t.
- “Her faithfulness would have made her a target of Satan, but I imagine she experienced a fierce fellowship with Jesus while under attack in the darkest valley.” 218 Referencing Psalm 23 and Matthew 5:10-12 or 2 Timothy 3:12: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Flip your mindset into wanting to be a bigger threat to Satan through being such a strong member of God’s army that it drives Satan insane that he cannot defeat you. In becoming a bigger target, I also build stronger armor. I know I am protected with God walking with me through the valley of death and I can recognize my Father’s voice guiding me through the chaos.
Other influential moments:
- “Satan used the same tricks over and over and over again. There are no original stories. He uses sex, money, pride. He uses deceit, selfishness, anxiety.” 34
- “Often what the Enemy starts can be turned on him. Paul was the biblical master at this: Put me in jail, and I’ll share the gospel with the jailer. Give me a thorn in the flesh, and I’ll testify God‘s faithfulness. Put me on trial, and I’ll take the opportunity to shout God‘s truth to a crowd.” 80
- “But lots of evil sounds and looks loving and light.” 81 “Satan subtly takes ideas that are true, Gods ideas, and twists them. It’s why they are easy to swallow; they seem right.” 80
- “The enemy loves when we overshare and put information out to the world that can be used against us. Ironically, it can make us feel more isolated when we overshare.” 93 with the house metaphor?!
- “Not sinning isn’t an option; we are fallen. Allowing sin to create space between us and our people? That’s allowing the enemy to use the same bullet twice” 95 that just released me from so much pressure oh wow
- “But the system seemed to punish those who didn’t self-promote.” 98 I feel very seen where academia pushes me to compete to further my career but this encouraged me to still be selfless and curious and help others
- I LOVE the shine chapter!! Lots of the Word and truth. Makes me want to read my Bible :)
- “My choices can’t be made on how I feel on any given day, but how I want to be a part of an old, long story of faithful light bearers.” 130 wow this chapter changed me. I always think of my faith impacting non believers around me, but never my future line. But idk why bc God used and acknowledged women throughout the entire Bible, even when ancient culture didn’t. So why wouldn’t He now?
- This question: “Do you have a memory of someone telling you to be smaller? What can you do when you feel like shrinking?” 131 wow that brought up a lot and I didn’t realize how much I let past hurt dampen my impact or confidence
- “The ending has already been written, so I can have Hope. It’s not about victory or defeat; it’s more about how much collateral damage the enemy can cause on his way to the lake of fire.” 227
- “My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.” 237
- “And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear for ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…’ (Romans 1:16)” 237
- “Since all work by God— restoration, reconciliation, redemption, rescue, and repair— is opposed by a spiritual enemy, I can imagine with stunning accuracy, the devil’s agenda. Instead of restoration, he wants destruction. Instead of reconciliation, he wants us to remain in conflict. Instead of redemption, he wants us to experience shame; instead of rescue, he wants us lost; and instead of repair, he wants us to feel permanently broken.” 242
5 million stars. Obnoxiously influential in opening my eyes to God's perspective of the lies I have believed. I have never felt so seen in my insecurities and fears and then encouraged to fight, read the word and a responsibility to be better.
(Note for Gab, you have more notes in google docs.)
A very clear theme is how REAL the spiritual realm is! I’ve heard about demons but Beth has several personal examples even, and in not being afraid to share them, she takes away the “make believe” aspect Satan wants us to believe so that he can hide in plain sight. “Satan wants me oblivious. God wants me vigilant.” 78
Also, Beth is so humble! I didn’t know who she was, but then as we went through the book, I realized what a faithful and impactful woman she is through her stories.
Main favorite parts that I still think about daily:
- “The question: If I were the enemy, what would I want to happen here?…We can anticipate his moves and make choices to block his success.” 18
- “Worry is just meditation in the wrong direction.” So flip it. “If I am worried about my health, I can thank God for how my body is working. If I am worried about money, I can recount past provision and rejoice in how He has provided.” 155
- "You can tell the quality of someone’s inner life by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage them.” Graham Cooke 163
- God used, protected and acknowledged women throughout the entire Bible, even when ancient culture didn’t.
- “Her faithfulness would have made her a target of Satan, but I imagine she experienced a fierce fellowship with Jesus while under attack in the darkest valley.” 218 Referencing Psalm 23 and Matthew 5:10-12 or 2 Timothy 3:12: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Flip your mindset into wanting to be a bigger threat to Satan through being such a strong member of God’s army that it drives Satan insane that he cannot defeat you. In becoming a bigger target, I also build stronger armor. I know I am protected with God walking with me through the valley of death and I can recognize my Father’s voice guiding me through the chaos.
Other influential moments:
- “Satan used the same tricks over and over and over again. There are no original stories. He uses sex, money, pride. He uses deceit, selfishness, anxiety.” 34
- “Often what the Enemy starts can be turned on him. Paul was the biblical master at this: Put me in jail, and I’ll share the gospel with the jailer. Give me a thorn in the flesh, and I’ll testify God‘s faithfulness. Put me on trial, and I’ll take the opportunity to shout God‘s truth to a crowd.” 80
- “But lots of evil sounds and looks loving and light.” 81 “Satan subtly takes ideas that are true, Gods ideas, and twists them. It’s why they are easy to swallow; they seem right.” 80
- “The enemy loves when we overshare and put information out to the world that can be used against us. Ironically, it can make us feel more isolated when we overshare.” 93 with the house metaphor?!
- “Not sinning isn’t an option; we are fallen. Allowing sin to create space between us and our people? That’s allowing the enemy to use the same bullet twice” 95 that just released me from so much pressure oh wow
- “But the system seemed to punish those who didn’t self-promote.” 98 I feel very seen where academia pushes me to compete to further my career but this encouraged me to still be selfless and curious and help others
- I LOVE the shine chapter!! Lots of the Word and truth. Makes me want to read my Bible :)
- “My choices can’t be made on how I feel on any given day, but how I want to be a part of an old, long story of faithful light bearers.” 130 wow this chapter changed me. I always think of my faith impacting non believers around me, but never my future line. But idk why bc God used and acknowledged women throughout the entire Bible, even when ancient culture didn’t. So why wouldn’t He now?
- This question: “Do you have a memory of someone telling you to be smaller? What can you do when you feel like shrinking?” 131 wow that brought up a lot and I didn’t realize how much I let past hurt dampen my impact or confidence
- “The ending has already been written, so I can have Hope. It’s not about victory or defeat; it’s more about how much collateral damage the enemy can cause on his way to the lake of fire.” 227
- “My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.” 237
- “And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear for ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…’ (Romans 1:16)” 237
- “Since all work by God— restoration, reconciliation, redemption, rescue, and repair— is opposed by a spiritual enemy, I can imagine with stunning accuracy, the devil’s agenda. Instead of restoration, he wants destruction. Instead of reconciliation, he wants us to remain in conflict. Instead of redemption, he wants us to experience shame; instead of rescue, he wants us lost; and instead of repair, he wants us to feel permanently broken.” 242
January 2, 2024
Beth describes the importance of a faith that asserts itself and is active not passive. Helpful metaphors were used as well as personal stories. Were I in a spiritual battle, I’d want the scrappy version of Beth by my side.
Worthwhile read or in my case listen.
Worthwhile read or in my case listen.
March 30, 2022
God wants us as JUST as we are. He will never stop rescuing us. AMEN!
April 14, 2022
Absolutely loved it. Super relevant and applicable and as always.... She stays true to the word
April 28, 2022
Excellent!
June 15, 2022
I read this on Kindle and finally had to print out my underlined passages. I am going to buy my own copy.
September 11, 2022
This book is awesome and Beth is amazing!
December 16, 2022
S2V1L2
May 22, 2024
WOW. Inspiring, motivating, relatable. I loved every second of this. I highly recommend.
August 21, 2024
WONDERFUL BOOK!!! Rereading it again in two weeks. So much to get from this book I am incapable of getting it all in one read. My heart is full!
June 4, 2025
Insightful, practical methods to live as a Christian and rise above evil. Great book by local pastor.
July 21, 2025
Love it
December 28, 2025
So many great nuggets to consider when thinking about/ engaging in spiritual battle. I love Beth's teaching!
April 25, 2023
GET IT, Beth! This is good stuff. Beth has some amazing examples of spiritual warfare in this book. She gives great advice on recognizing it and what you can do about it.
September 10, 2023
This book is unbiblical. She cherry picks her verses out of 8 different translations. She takes verses out of context. There are no tools to fight Satan given other than the Bible, prayer, and worship, and even these are not well backed up by scripture. There are so many missed opportunities to bring scripture into the conversation as REAL help on these tools. The reading style is meant for a new Christian, but I don't advise it for anyone as it might deceive you into thinking only skin deep on spiritual warfare. Instead, this book should be titled 'Sin Nature and How Satan Might use it Against Me, but it's Probably Just Problems of My Own Making'. The glancing mention of Ephesians 6:10-20 is unfortunate as this would have been a great place to start the conversation.
May 12, 2023
I decided to read this book after having heard Beth speak at a CAFO conference (Christian Alliance for Orphans) and after a co-worker recommended it.
I've been struggling with the idea of "spiritual battle" for a bit because as westerners, I feel like we use fighting terms too often with our Christianity. We have to be "warriors, battle ready, and always fighting the enemy." Sadly, I think Christians often mistake each other for the enemy. Fortunately, with Beth's stories and personal experiences, I have been able to come to grips a bit more with the idea of battling the real enemy: the devil. With our armor on, we are able to anticipate the attacks of Satan and stand firm in our faith.
I've been struggling with the idea of "spiritual battle" for a bit because as westerners, I feel like we use fighting terms too often with our Christianity. We have to be "warriors, battle ready, and always fighting the enemy." Sadly, I think Christians often mistake each other for the enemy. Fortunately, with Beth's stories and personal experiences, I have been able to come to grips a bit more with the idea of battling the real enemy: the devil. With our armor on, we are able to anticipate the attacks of Satan and stand firm in our faith.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews