Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace

by John Mark Comer

We are at war. Not with a foreign government or domestic terrorists or a creepy new artificial intelligence hell-bent on taking over the world. No, it's a war we feel deep inside our own chests: we are at war with lies.

The problem isn't so much that we tell lies but that we live them. We let them into our bodies, and they sabotage our peace. All around us in the culture and deep within our own body memories are lies: deceptive ideas that wreak havoc on our emotional health and spiritual well-being, and deceptive ideas about who God is, who we are, and what the good life truly is.

The choice is not whether to fight or not fight, but whether we win or surrender.

Ancient apprentices of Jesus developed a paradigm for this war; they spoke of the three enemies of the soul: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Live No Lies taps into this ancient wisdom from saints of the Way and translates the three enemies for the modern era, with all its secularism and sophistication. As a generation, we chuckle at the devil as a premodern myth, we are confused by Scripture's teaching on the flesh in an age where sensual indulgence is a virtue not a vice, and we have little to no category for the New Testament concept of the world.

John Mark Comer combines cultural analysis with spiritual formation. He identifies the role lies play in our spiritual deformation and lays out a strategic plan to overcome them.

Do you feel the tug-of-war in your own heart, the inner conflict between truth and lies? The spirit and the flesh? The Way of Jesus and the world? It's time to start winning. It's time to live no lies...

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Theology, Christianity, Self Help

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2021

About the author

John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of Practicing the Way, Live No Lies, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, God Has a Name, and three more. His podcasts, John Mark Comer Teachings and Rule of Life, have been ranked on top religion and spirituality podcast charts in the U.S. and U.K.

He's also the founder of Practicing the Way, a simple, beautiful way to integrate spiritual formation into your church or small group. After serving as the pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, for nearly two decades, John Mark and his family now reside in California, where he serves as a teacher in residence at Vintage Church LA.

Reviews

[Joanna Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

After my dismal reaction to The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I fully expected never to read a book by John Mark Comer (JMC) again. Yet a few weeks ago I heard him referred to as a “podcaster” and immediately checked it out. (It was his podcast with Jeff Bethke about Fight Hustle, End Hurry that drew me to TREOH.) He did 6-7 episodes of interviews with people he referenced in his newest book, Live No Lies. I enjoyed his conversations so much that I went out and bought the book.

He presents a convincing case for the devil, the flesh, and the world from Scripture and tons of quotes, ancient and modern. I enjoyed his footnotes and got several more book recommendations.

It was helpful to remember that I am not his target audience; I believe the Bible to be literally true, yes even Genesis and Hell, though wildly unpopular in today’s culture. I have chosen to believe that the best way to honor God is to believe Him literally. Yet, I am one fundamentalist who does not want to be angry. My heart too is broken by the effects of sin on our society. I really appreciated his review of the effects of the sex revolution and his strong case against abortion. I also agree with his assessment of street preaching. Most people who become followers of Christ are influenced by someone they love and trust, not a random person yelling about hell through a megaphone. So all that to say, JMC appears to me to love people well. I really admire that and want to grow in that area.

For him, the first few chapters of Genesis are a parable not actual history, though he points out that at least one of Jesus’ parables may have been based on a historical event.

He doubts whether Hell is literal or eternal because he believes God respects human free will and human dignity. He points out that Jesus obviously believed in judgment after death. He comes across as though he is still not entirely sure what he believes about this, or maybe just doesn’t want to say dogmatically. So he is vague, and we fundamentalists detest this. We like things definite, black or white, either/or. We may be overly dogmatic because strong theology is our trademark. Sounding uncertain is a sign of weakness. Or do we just come across as arrogant? 😬

He quotes from the social sciences to support the validity of Scripture, which is ridiculous to us, b/c the Bible is so true it needs no support. Or, perhaps we are unwilling to do the hard work of researching and thinking things through for the sake of influence? After hearing JMC, a secularist may think, “Wait a second, maybe the Bible is true…” while they may not even give us a chance. 🤔

His honesty and humility is refreshing. He is brilliant himself and yet is constantly pointing us to others and promoting their genius and work. I really like that. We fundamentalists tend to excel at tooting our own horns unfortunately. 😑

He recognizes truth wherever he sees it, which is a great strategy for bringing opposite views together (marriage arguments, anyone?) Yet we as fundamentalists cringe at quoting or recommending anyone that we do not agree with. We would never want to lead anyone astray, which is an legitimate concern. However, on the other extreme we can become so proud of being right that we refuse to learn from someone we disagree with. 😳 And so the ideological divide becomes worse and perhaps even insurmountable because for there to be an agreement the “wrong” person has to humble themselves and admit they were wrong, yet the “right” person gives no pattern of humility (willingness to listen, admitting we don’t have it all figured out, etc) to ease the way. Maybe? I’m still thinking through this assessment…

I also appreciated his comments on Biblical sexuality, though that is a huge theological debate in some circles. It is much more popular to support the LGBTQ+ movement these days. But if we are to tell the truth, we will not fit in or be respected by the world.

His epilogue was brilliant. I loved the way he broke down the choice each of us has to make. Soul or self? Will we trust Jesus or our own perceptions of truth? So good, so powerful!

So here is my overly analytical review. 🤪 This book really made me think, and I enjoyed it! I am even considering reading TREOH again to see if my thoughts on it have changed. ☺️

[Kate Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly, highly recommend. John Mark Comer‘s voice during the last 18 months of a global pandemic has been a humble, wise, and helpful guide for me. This book, which he has said was a true labor of love, is priceless and timely. It seems to be one that I will go through often and slowly.

[Jake Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read this year. Comer's unique conversational style lends itself to a hard-hitting yet compassionate challenge to flee from the lies we believe and embody. Speaking on three enemies that sabotage our peace (devil, flesh, world), Comer provides practical wisdom on how to fight back against these spiritual enemies. I am looking forward to implementing the recommendations Comer provides in the book.

[Joe Terrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another incredibly difficult book to review - John Mark Comer's Live No Lies is really popular, so I don't want to take away from anyone's enjoyment or edification from reading this book, but I can really only share my experience with reading it.

First, the good:

Comer is - as ever - incredibly gifted at synthesizing massive amounts of information and pulling together disparate sources to form a cohesive point. I really appreciate the reliance on endnotes and sourcing (as evidenced by the extensive endnote section at the back of the book).

Also, Live No Lies is a really great (and concise) critique of classical liberalism as it pertains to secular society. While I personally believe Tim Keller's Making Sense of God does a vastly superior job of tackling the same subject matter (because, c'mon, it's Tim Keller), Comer's take is more accessible. There are a lot of complex ideas explored in Live No Lies (secularization, hyper-individualism, liberty, disinformation, postmodernism, secular colonization, etc) that I think will make for some enlightening (and heated) late-night conversation fodder.

Additionally, Comer continues to employ the "Rob Bell school of writing prose" with lots of separated paragraphs and white space - which makes for a quick reading experience.

Now, for the not-so-good:

If I was Comer's editor, I'd tell him to cut any and all attempts of humor, self-deprecation, and pop culture references. They're cringey at best and distracting at worst (ex. "It took off like a new single from Childish Gambino"). It really makes it seem like Comer is trying to be cool and hip to appeal to the mid-20s Christian crowd - something he doesn't really need to do.

Comer's writing style is both a strength and a weakness. Live No Lies can feel very tangential at times - and his arguments can be a little hard to follow. Most of these tangents and asides are fascinating, but I think he sometimes struggles to connect them to the point he's trying to make.

Also, and this is really nitpicky, but at one point Comer says social isolation from the lockdowns resulted in "the suicide rate spiked to an all-time high." I was struck by that claim (because it wasn't sourced in the endnotes) and looked it up on my own - and it's not true. I get the point he's trying to make (that social isolation is bad for our collective mental health), but hopefully, this is corrected in future reprints.

However, I think my biggest issue with Live No Lies is Comer's hesitancy to offend his readers - both Left-leaning and Right-leaning. Comer founded a church in Portland, so his cultural environment is far more progressive than - say - your Southern Baptist preacher living in Texas. I am, admittedly, more progressive in social views and theology than Comer, but I do welcome intellectual critiques of modern liberalism (which are actually my favorite parts of the book).

But Comer constantly pulls his punches on critiquing the Left and Right. I just wanted Comer to commit to his convictions and follow through. I can easily see Live No Lies operating as an ideological Rorschach test. Though I agree with Comer's assessment that Christianity should embody the best of the Left and the Right, his lack of clarity leads to the wonkier aspects of progressive Christianity and right-wing Christian nationalism being let off the hook (for the most part). Syncretism is going to occur regardless of political ideology, but I would've welcomed more advice on how to recognize "secular colonization" in your own life and when to know when you're co-opting your beliefs - because, as church history has shown, you can find authors, pastors, and intellectual "thought leaders" to support any kind of "Biblical worldview" that benefits your cognitive dissonance.

Like I said above, Comer's working with some fascinating (and insightful) content here. My copy of Live No Lies is filled with highlights, and - while I don't agree with all of his conclusions or tone - I think this book can generate a lot of great conversation among conservative and liberal Christians (and hopeful expose his readers to some other really great authors and intellectuals).

However, I don't believe Live No Lies is Comer's strongest work - I reserve that placeholder for god has a name and Garden City (which are, ironically, more theologically-focused than cultural critique). I still love Comer's contribution to the Church - and he's a much-needed voice in this space - I'm just still waiting for a heavy-hitting culture critique (minus the humor and pop culture references).

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is kindly incisive. It’s punchy, engaging, deep and cuts to the heart of things. There’s so much history, theology, and research behind this framework, but it’s easy to understand, and practical to the core. I haven’t been more personally convicted, while simultaneously given practical tools to grow through a book in a long time.

[Casey | Casey's Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style was distracting, simple, and overly casual. John Mark Comer used examples and data with very little to back it up. His views in this book were narrow and lacked nuance. Waste of time to read a book that could’ve been summarized in a few pages and made the same point. I wanted to like this book, but it was a major let down. This book is an example of why so many people hate Christians. While I agree with the primary thesis of the book, “deceptive ideas that play out as disordered desires that are normalized in a sinful society,” the delivery was half-baked. There were a few good nuggets about disinformation and the devil at the beginning, after that it went sharply downhill.

[Haley Baumeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get to reading any of Comer's work (starting with The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry), for pretty lame reasons. But honestly he continues to astound me with both how well-read he is, and how capable he is of translating the wisdom of these giant thinkers in philosophy, sociology, psychology, history and -obviously- theology and spiritual formation into understandable and approachable vernacular.

I think this is part of his appeal, though many folks probably underestimate just how much existing wisdom he is drawing from in the wealth of quotations and references he provides every few sentences. The guy understands our current moment and how we got here, and has a kaleidoscope of perspectives to have us consider when thinking through the world, the flesh, and the devil.

His current work at The Way (focusing on the spiritual practices/disciplines the Church has practiced since it's creation) really shines through as he guides through how we combat the world, the flesh, and the devil through spiritual formation - first and foremost. His pastoral heart is evident, and it's a refreshing antidote to the very two dimensional Culture War stuff out there which is devoid of an awareness of how spiritual battles are fought (Eph. 6:12) or the fact that there are, in fact, three categories to be aware of.... not just one.

The book had me thinking of when, in Tim Keller's biography by Collin Hansen, he describes the explosive popularity of his 2009 book The Reason For God. That was a time when, generally speaking, Christianity was still relatively, culturally neutral and straightforward apologetics of whether or not God exists and the Bible is true were very helpful. Just a couple years later, Keller (and others in the wider Christian world) noticed a marked shift in the way Christianity was perceived (negatively, as opposed to neutrally) and how its claims came up against new vernacular and thought regarding morality and expressive individualism in the modern age. That's why Keller wrote Making Sense Of God - as a sort of update to The Reason For God to match this marked shift in how the modern western culture thinks.

Comer wrote this book in the Making Sense Of God world, and has the ability to communicate these aspects of our current moment well. And in a way that makes the necessity of spiritual formation make sense. I find that often people are very gifted in explaining one or the other of these things - as is to be expected if you're a certain type of historian, theologian, philosopher, ethicist, sociologist, or pastor! In this way, his ability to synthesize observations into simpler terms that necessitate practical steps reminds me very much of Andy Crouch's work (see The Life We're Looking For) or in some ways Justin Whitmel Early (see The Common Rule, Habits Of The Household).

[Richard Ripamonti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simple and true central thesis. This is what's good about this book.

What I did not enjoy:

- written in a literary style which reads like the transcript of an oration delivered to teenagers.
- short sentences, one line paragraphs and colloquial versions of English which leave one feeling like they're reading a recruitment ad on LinkedIn.
- As with most contemporary Christian books I read, the best elements are all the direct quotations from other long dead theologians, scholars and philosophers works; which births the niggling idea: why not read their book instead?
- a nervousness around the political implications of his writings which leaves JMC constantly caveating and defending his own statements so as to protect himself from being cancelled by a they/them or an Ultra-Calvinist who has accidentally picked up his book. Makes me think of St Augustine, "The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.”

By the rating of the book and its plethora of endorsements, clearly I am in the minority. Glad some people liked it!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve generally enjoyed JMC books a lot more. This one had me pained in several areas: logic holes, simplistic analysis, incomplete arguments, less than honest depictions of history/politics and religion and unfair presentation of opposing viewpoints.

Discussion of spiritual discipline was spot on, but why no discussions about abuse of power spiritually and sexually? Why only brief mentions of Christian moral failings and stumbling, rather than sweeping systemic wrongs embedded in culture in the name of God?

Compassionate voice through most of the book, but less than helpful political rants at points.

[Samuel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! John Mark Comer has an ability to explain old, complex theories in simple language, and apply them to our current ‘cultural moment’.

His section on ‘the flesh’ was particularly interesting, forcing me to consider who I submit to - the flesh or the spirit - as determined by everyday decisions / habits.

Complementary to his 2019 book ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ Comer advertises the LIFE that is to be found through practising spiritual disciplines - in particular fasting and confession. He exposes the contemporary, post-modernist lie that ‘doing what you want’ and ‘following your heart’ is where freedom is found. In actuality, true freedom is only found in ‘slavery’ to Christ, in self-denial not self-fulfilment, to submit your own desires and be shaped by the Spirit. The result: Life and Peace (Romans 8:6b).

You should read this book.

“To say yes to Jesus’ invitation is to say no to a thousand other things. As the monks used to say ‘every choice is a renunciation.’ To say yes to Jesus is to say no to living by my own definition of good and evil, to spend my time and money however I want, to the hyper-individualism, anti authoritarianism, and full-tilt hedonistic pursuit of our day. It’s a thousand tiny deaths that all lead up to one massive life. It’s not a futile grasping for control, but the freedom of yielding to Love. It’s saying to Jesus, I’m yours.”
- JMC

[Lachie Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled initially. I am not the biggest fan of his writing style (so many paragraphs! Parataxis party!), and there are times when I struggled to see an idea substantiated in a text he referred to.
But I think the second and third parts were strong and insightful, and despite sections of mediocrity throughout, there were some definite gems.
He quotes heavily, perhaps it is just a strength that he knows who to include.
Anyway. Highlights get him across the line to a four.

[Stephen Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the book of the year.


Not much else comes close.

6 stars.

[Willi Tissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comer schafft es einem die Nachfolge Jesu im Gegensatz zur Welt schmackhaft zu machen. Er geht hier, wie ich finde, nicht wirklich in die Tiefe der Materie, aber das muss er ja auch nicht 🤷🏻‍♂️
Ich musste mich sehr an den kommunikativen Stil und den Buch-Satz gewöhnen. Diese ständigen ganzen Zeilenabsätze sind nicht definitiv nicht meins, aber die Kapitelzusammenfassungen feier ich total 👌

[Sarah Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Post-Christian culture attempts to retain the solace of faith, whilst gutting it of the costs, commitments, and restraints that the gospel places on the individual will. Post-Christianity intuitively yearns for the justice and shalom of the kingdom, whilst defending the reign of the individual will.’ (Mark Sayers qtd by Comer)

In Mark’s language, we want the kingdom without the King.”


I think Comer has timely words for our generation in this book. It personally encouraged and challenged me.

Quote heavy and imperfect, but so timely and needed and courageously written. Comer makes a case for the three enemies of the soul in the modern world: the devil, the flesh and the world. He uses modern examples to illustrate his claims and quotes extensively from many disciplines.

[Regan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book I literally couldn’t stop reading it. Comer writes in a way that is easy to read with a fearless use of truth.

Was a refreshing read in a time where current culture is so focused on individualism and self-fulfilment as the means to the ‘good life’. Instead, we are reminded that Jesus is the only way to true freedom and life to the full. You cannot have the kingdom without the King.

Would rate 6/5 if I could.

[Meg Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn’t a bad book at all, but it was just pretty general information for someone who’s been Christian for awhile. I didn’t learn anything, but could maybe be better for someone newer in their faith.
Also, the author stated sooo much that he was not being political that it began to get annoying and feel political.

[George P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We are at war,” writes John Mark Comer in Live No Lies. The war is neither military nor cultural, however; it is spiritual. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

When I read that verse, I tend to think of Jesus’ exorcism of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1–20. The man lived apart from society, a danger to himself and others. Asked his name, he said, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” (A Roman legion consisted of approximately 4,200 infantry and 300 cavalry, which may indicate the scope and intensity of his demonic possession.)

Jesus against a legion: Now that’s spiritual warfare!

Power encounters are an aspect of spiritual warfare, of course, but they are not its primary form. Instead, Comer writes, spiritual warfare consists of “deceitful ideas that play to disordered desires that are normalized in a sinful society.” The devil (“deceitful ideas”), the flesh (“disordered desires”), and the world (“sinful society”) are the unholy trinity that wars against our souls, and lies are the primary point of attack.

Spiritual warfare begins, then, with truth encounters.

Isn’t that what we see in Genesis 3? The Bible’s first spiritual battle began with an insinuating question, “Did God reallysay … ?” (Genesis 3:1). At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the devil approached Him with an intellectual challenge: “If you are the Son of God …” (Matthew 4:3).

Spiritual formation happens when we align our thoughts with reality. “It is by spirit and truth that we are transformed into the image of Jesus and set free to live in line with all that is good, beautiful, and true,” Comer writes. Spiritual disciplines that help us do that include silence, solitude, prayer, fasting, and meditation on Scripture.

The devil’s lies aren’t random, however. He directs them at the “flesh,” which Comer defines as “our base, primal, animalistic drives for self-gratification, especially as it pertains to sensuality and survival.” We want forbidden fruit, so we decide God is a Big Meany if He doesn’t let us have it. Deceitful ideas thus rationalize — or better, rational lies — our disordered desires.

Spiritual disciplines such as fasting and confession of sins help counter our disordered desires. “As we do this over time,” Comer writes, “we not only grow our own willpower muscles but, more importantly, we open our minds and bodies to a power that is beyond us — that of God’s Spirit.”

The importance of rightly ordered desires is apparent in Galatians 5:16–25, where Paul contrasts “acts of the flesh” (vices) with “fruit of the Spirit” (virtues). “Walk by the Spirit,” Paul concludes, “and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (verse 16).

When deceitful ideas build on disordered desires, they normalize sin throughout society. Comer defines the “world” as “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.”

As the poet William Butler Yeats so aptly described contemporary society:

The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

According to Comer, fighting the world requires the spiritual discipline of “gathering with your church.” Church is the place where truth and rightly ordered desires form a “counter anti-culture” that has “the potential to not only survive but also flourish as a creative minority, loving the host culture from the margins.”

At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Sadly, too many American churches live down to their calling in favor of a lightly “Christianized culture” that is “a mix of Jesus and pagan or secular ideas.” This is especially true when Christians seek power over others, whether culturally or politically. We are not supposed to “lord it over” people, however. Instead, as Jesus said, “the one who rules [should be] like the one who serves” (Luke 22:26).

When you put it all together, spiritual warfare means living no lies — not telling them, not feeling their seductive pull, not putting them into practice in our relationships. It is a truth encounter first, though power encounters may also happen. And if they do, the best weaponry is truth, righteousness, readiness for peace, faith, salvation, and Scripture (Ephesians 6:14–17).

This is how we fight our battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Book Reviewed
John Mark Comer, Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2021).

P.S. If you like my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.

P.P.S. This review is cross-posted from InfluenceMagazine.com by permission.

[Abby Voss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally picked up for the purpose of combatting lies from the enemy, but got a lot more than that! I feel thankful for the timing of this book, for all that I learned about spiritual warfare and also going to war with the flesh!
Thinking a lot about what it looks like to always have two conflicting desires: one of the flesh and one of the spirit, and having the wisdom and discipline to follow not my strongest desire, but my deepest one.

Got pretty political at times which I didn’t love, but I still believe this is super applicable for all believers. Gentle but urgent reminders of what we’re at war with as followers of Jesus.

[Keegan Keelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning:
**only read this book if you want to get absolutely decimated over and over and over**

JMC pulls absolutely no punches in this one. I think pretty much every Jesus follower would benefit from reading this book. There’s too much to chew on for the sake of a review, but prepare yourself and then just read this book. It will challenge you (in the best-worst way possible)

There are a few touchy topics he leans into pretty hard so fair warning.

[Jess Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I will keep going back to. Deep truth so relevant for this moment in history.

[Megan Calkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!!!

Comer puts words to the thoughts/tension my mind has had towards both my personal wrestling in the faith, and being a believer in my cultural context. He writes beautifully about our spiritual reality, intelligently arguing for the existence of spiritual warfare and looking to Jesus for the practical tools on how to live in the victory we’ve been given. Also, he has SO MANY SOURCES — this is not just a pastor writing a book to have a platform for his opinions!! Well-researched, intentionally written, and glorifying to the Lord — I can’t tell you how many times I stopped my husband Ben to read him a sentence (or honestly, paragraphs) that provoked conviction or awe. I know I will read again!

[Jeff Colston · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Mark’s growing on me….

I really walk away blessed from this. I love his thesis: “As followers of Jesus, we are at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and the three enemies’ stratagem is as follows: Deceptive ideas (the DEVIL) that play to disordered desires (the FLESH) that are normalized in a sinful society (the WORLD).”

For most of the book, I was thinking “OK, ya, these are good reminders, nothing I haven’t really heard before,” but the end really wrapped it up for me and made it all click and seem much more profound than I thought at the beginning. I think I will be meditating on this for a while: “the PRACTICES OF JESUS” (spiritual disciplines) “are HOW we fight the world, the flesh, and the devil.”

I was also just really impressed with the amount of research Comer had to do for this. He did an excellent job of synthesizing a lot of different sources. I would highly recommend this!

[Emma Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realllllly teetered between 4 and 5 stars. Ultimately. Great book, just goes over my head a little in some parts but nothing too bad. I love the amount of research he gives, whether it’s scripture or it’s data or quoting other authors. I specifically loved when he talked about the choices we make and how they shape our character. and ALSO! when he writes on desire and how we can’t control our desires but we can influence how they control us. SO GOOD! He speaks a lot on the current state of the world around us and some more controversial topics but I enjoyed. Would definitely recommend.

[David Clouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Comer’s look into something not often talked about which is spiritual warfare and satan’s main weapon which is lies. I find myself agreeing with a lot (if not all, hard to remember everything he said specifically) of his thoughts on spiritual warfare and how it plays out. I really liked his practical walkthrough of how to fight lies and spiritual warfare. I also really liked his section on fasting, something I feel is really neglected in the church today. Outside of that, I feel like a seminary education kind of made this book a little less profound than I was expecting, but still very good and practical. I’d recommend it pretty easily to many people! There was an occasional thing theologically I wasn’t sure if I agreed with, but I honestly didn’t stop long enough to consider how I might differ so I can’t speak to that, other than that there might be things you disagree with, but that’s okay!

[Jackson Drakulich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I liked this one far better than Ruthless Elimination. Comer’s conversational style felt like I was listening to him teach on combatting the three enemies we face in everyday life - the flesh, the devil, and the world. I think his language was more formal in this book and made it easier to follow along than the hashtags and tweet-like stanzas in Ruthless Elimination, and where I felt R.E. got repetitive toward the latter half of the book, this flowed more neatly from one movement to the next, only for Comer to tie it all in together incredibly well - defeating our everyday enemies means dying to ourselves to live in Christ.

[Caleb Protil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. John Mark Comer spoke truth in this book. He did bring up a lot of heavy theological topics and did not explain them much. Nevertheless, this book exposes the devil, the flesh, and the world and reminds the reader of the truth and freedom that Jesus offers to all.

I HIGHLY recommend reading this book. 10/10

[Maggie Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best, not the worst. But if I’m being honest I don’t remember all of it because Tyler would read it aloud to me before bed and I fell asleep to it every night so idk

[Danielle Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s good. Really good. A timely counter narrative to the polarisation corroding western society, Jesus doesn’t just provide a digestible alternative to individualism, but the only means to life in abundance, beyond the futile desires of the flesh.

‘Human beings simply can’t live without loving relationships and meaning to both our suffering and our existence as a whole. Jesus comes to offer both.’

[Erin Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book, I felt a physical weight lifted from my shoulders. John Mark Comer left me feeling challenged to re-examine my daily life and the things I’m addicted to that suck the life out of me, relieved to know that we have freedom from anxieties and stressors in Jesus, and hopeful for what is to come. Truly loved it.

[Porter Sprigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s that feeling again. Burning conviction and deep hope. John Mark’s teaching usually leads me here, to the face of Jesus. And here I experience a soul-consuming desire to dedicate my life to the one who created me and redeemed me.

This book makes me love Jesus more. I want to read it again and again. At least yearly, if not twice a year.

The way of Jesus seemed familiar and boring to me heading into college and the way of the world was very enticing. Praise God that he has put me on a trajectory of falling in love with him once again, thanks to an incredible community of friends and family and a ministry that has prevented me from living comfortably. John Mark has been one of the most influential catalysts in my faith in my entire life right up there with Centrifuge, Bill Rodriguez, La Vida, Ebeth, and Akash. I cannot wait to continue being taught by him as he launches into a new chapter of his ministry.

After reading this book and beginning to implement the practices it encourages (practices Jesus lived out!) I’m particularly struck how captivating and powerful the way of Jesus is. Not the way of cruelty or self-expression or self-fulfillment, or political idolatry, or mere moral achievements or all the other ways screaming for our attention. The way of the good and gracious King is simply the best way. Now to live it and invite others into it!