Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense Audio CD – CD, September 24, 2009

I cannot think of a single soul that would not be blessed by this book. I want to buy it for so many people, but instead I pray for God to orchestrate that purchase according to when those are ready.This book has led me to true freedom in Christ Jesus. I've been reconciled with so many and cancelled so many debts of those in the past...some of which really had no chance without forgiveness. I was blind to the enemy's tactics and how he was stealing from me by getting me to bite the bait of offense. This book right here is a key for warfare. My Redeemer lives and I'm so happy to be off the hook! You will certainly be blessed if you open your heart and mind to it. Enjoy.

The book has a catchy title. It's written with good intentions and deals with the need to forgive the offenders in our life. I read it and was quite frustrated because the author seemed to discount spiritual abuse that happens in some churches today. The overall theme was that you have to submit to abusing authority no matter what. He seems to be a type of person that would sacrifice anything/anyone for the sake of peace. As Christians we are not to cause strife and hurt others, however I believe that as Christians we are part of the Body of Christ, not wholly part of a church body under the pastor's absolute authority. If the leader(s) is not submitting wholeheartedly to the authority of Christ, he is submitting to the Enemy partially. That will bring a lot of problems in a church. As a member who discerns spiritual things, it will be very difficult to have peace and enjoy the church-life. In some cases the enemy will use the leader's oppression to attack members in the body. That's when it is better to leave the place rather than fight with the leader and the enemy that's oppressing the leader. But of course this has to be done according to how the Lord is leading you.One of the things that is very wrong in this book is that forgiveness is defined as forgiving and forgetting. That is not completely true. We are to choose to forgive and release the offender. That will enable us to forget with our emotional part of our soul, but not with our memory. That way it will no longer be an emotional trigger. The memory of that event will stay with us, which is not always a bad thing. Hopefully we will learn from that experience. If we forget, we may repeat the same mistakes.I found Neil Anderson's The Bondage Breaker much more effective at dealing with freedom. Forgiveness is the beginning, there are many other issues that need to be resolved in order to be freed.

Not theologically sound. He cherry picks bible verses to fit his teaching and ignores the whole context of the story.I find it incredibly self-serving and dishonest for a church leader to make a book about not holding your leaders accountable on obvious, blatant and habitual sin. They should be held accountable like any other brother or sister in Christ. They are not above reproach. They are not anointed men who are only accountable to God. This is how church leaders abuse their positions and their followers. I wasn't able to read more than half the book. His teachings turn my stomach. I strongly advise against this one.

Before reading The Bait of Satan, I was sure when living a life in service to God, you would often be tested by the words and actions of those who had not yet found Christ. I believed as stated in Matthew 5: 10, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". I believed the offense I felt was evidence of my persecution, that as stated in 1 Peter, 3:14, I am blessed if I suffer for the sake of righteousness. I believed suffering was a natural byproduct of offense. I would forgive the offender for offending me. Like Christ forgave. And then I read this book. It revealed to me how offense separated me from the will of God and I should not be offended. I became defensive when reading it. I thought what I was reading was incongruous with what I (emphasis on me) believed was true about "A Christian Life". But the Word of God is truth, and in it is found wisdom and peace. The Bait of Satan challenges the reader to consider a life lived free of offense is a life that opens you to all God has intended. Best of all it shows you how to get there. I am by no means "there yet". I realized while reading this book I have to unlearn, by the grace of God, over a half century of self centered belief. But my God is merciful and patient. He will see me through. Be mindful, this is not an easy read. It will test you. Push you. Knock you around a bit. But it will also show you how to draw closer to God's perfect will in your life. I'm starting to recognize the trap now, and I'm not falling for the bait.

Quite disappointing. Errant theology, i.e. salvation through works, making it seem holy to not confront leaders with blatant sin (not differences of style preferences but actual sin) and misuse of Scripture. I was very hopeful this would be a good book but I especially warn against giving this to a new believer or someone untaught in Biblical truth.

This book is so good. I originally watched a DVD series offered through my church on the Bate of Satan. It was so good that I decided to buy the book after seeing my family struggle with offenses. This book is exactly what I needed because in my family conflicts I thought I was handling the conflict well, but I was actually getting offended and then doing a terrible job at helping my family. This book is a must read for all Christians. If you want to be free you have to be free from offenses. Jesus says that offenses will come and we are to be encouraged because He has overcome the world. John Bevere relates his own personal experience with offenses and how it impacted his life and ministry for a time. He learned from the Lord how to get free. If you are struggling with a close relationship with Jesus and Abba Father, get this book. It will save you because there is great truth in the pages. This book helped me forgive my ex-husband when we divorced. If it did not forgive him then I would have remained in bondage and bound to repeat the same sins and I was in the lives of my children. I hope this help you and feel encouraged there is a way out of offenses. This book will set you free.

Excellent resource that helped me get through a very difficult time in my life. Eased a lot of 'church hurt' by making me take a good long hard look at myself and making some attitude adjustments. I actually look forward to being so much less of a sucker in future...

A friend loaned me her copy after numerous conversations sprinkled with "you need to read this book called Bate...." Having had a chance to read some of it - it is as recommended!A very helpful tool!

Another great book from John Bevere - very sound teaching and a real eye opener.This book is for people who really want to get rid of their hang ups, jealousy, offence and become a balanced and baggage-free, on-fire for Christ Christian.Each time I read one of his books, God uses it to explain the very event that occur and why people behave badly! I believe the Lord Jesus Christ uses this man and his ministry through his books to set Christians free to be able to live a life that is powerful, effective, with boldness and authority in Jesus' name.We can have peace, sound mind, love, joy, patience, self-control and all the rest by understanding ourselves and others, choose to think, believe, and behave with godliness and obey the Holy Bible- John Bevere helps us to reach this goal.So simple!

Thank you John. Words can not express my gratitude for your willingness to write and share these truths. My life has been a long series of offenses designed to keep me from fulfilling my destiny. No longer. The calling is clear and the way open to all tribes and all nations as Jesus commissioned us.

Seriously every person and Pastor needs this book - Get it asap