The Christian’s Great Enemy: A Practical Exposition of 1 Peter 5:8-11 by John Brown

The Christian’s Great Enemy: A Practical Exposition of 1 Peter 5:8-11

by John Brown

Paperback, 86 pg.
Banner of Truth, 2013
Read: June 1, 2014

Good, solid exposition of 1 Peter 5:8-11. No fireworks here, but plain, straightforward language — no rhetorical heights, no dazzling quotations, just straight-forward, orthodox discussion of the passage.

Brown calmly and thoroughly starts at the beginning of the passage and proceeds carefully, clause by clause through it. He doesn’t go off on any paranoid hunts for demons/Satan under every rock or anything. But he examines the ways of the world and the hearts of man and shows where the evil one will and can pounce — and how he will go about doing so. From there, he moves on to the hows, whys, and wherefores of our resistance — giving warnings, inducements, and encouragements to help along the way.

I can’t say I was dazzled by Brown’s work, but I was refreshed by it. I was reminded of my duties and pitfalls along the way. If you’re looking for sound teaching on the passage/topic but are intimidated by (or have no time for) Satan’s Temptations by Gilpin or The Christian in Complete Armour by Gurnall, this would be a great one to pick up.

—–