Customer Reviews: Read 38 more reviews...
 a most un-Christian and non-rational proposition July 23, 2008
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
"Bait of Satan" by John Bevere
Briefly, the problems with this ideology are two-fold:
(1) It is inconsistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
(2) It is inconsistent with REASON itself
The entire book is premised upon a proposition that if you GIVE OFFENSE to anyone, you have taken the Bait of Satan, and also, that if you TAKE OFFENSE with anyone, you have taken the Bait of Satan.
So what's wrong with that?
Just this: If it is consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it will be shown directly that by His life and teaching, Jesus Christ:
(1) Never TOOK OFFENSE with anyone
(2) Never GAVE OFFENSE to anyone
Either proposition can be demonstrated as false, and moreover irrational, and further still, utterly absurd.
Here's one example in which the Messiah clear OFFENDS:
"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an OFFENCE unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."---Matthew 16:23
Was Jesus wrong to take OFFENSE at his disciple Peter?
By taking OFFENSE at Peter, is it indicated that Jesus had fallen into the "Deadly Trap of Offense" and was serving Satan?
Reviewers who endorse Bevere's book cannot answer.
Author Bevere's book contains a clear DOUBLE-BIND.
It proposes that we are responsible for the REACTIONS of others, and that guilt, sin, or spiritual error, only operates in a single direction.
If I TAKE OFFENSE at sin, I am in sin.
If I GIVE OFFENSE, I am in sin.
This is like Painting yourself into the corner of a room. No matter how you approach this, YOU are wrong.
Also, Bevere's theological construction is inconsistent with scripture itself.
It is written partially in the language of 12-Step programs for addictions such as alcoholism, drugs or other issues. It is also highly manipulative, such that If I had a disagreement with John Bevere, he could quickly point out that I am either GIVING OFFENSE to him, therefore I am wrong; or, he could point out that I am TAKING OFFENSE at him, therefore I am wrong.
This is the line of reasoning that one finds in the minds of those who are fundamentally dishonest, who put some kind of a "spin" on everything so that they are beyond criticism, and therefore get to "play God".
This is an unfortunate work, which has regrettably, found a small following. May God help them rise above unreason.
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 worth the read! June 18, 2008
The Bait of Satan is a good, interesting, informative read. I got a lot of good insight from it and am glad it came to my attention.
 Bait of Satan September 28, 2007
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
First... in reading his first page... my response: YOU ARE GREEDY.
Did you not know this is too a bait of satan?
Anyway, the bottom line is something I already knew... save yourself the trouble... use the God given gift of Discernment the Good Lord gave to you to use in the first place.
the whole book surrounds OFFENSE.
Hey people, if you aren't offended in this day and age there is something wrong with you. It is how you respond to those offenses that matters.
and if you think you want to teach a class on the subject... go to the Bible; not to this book. He tells you not to COPY it in any formation at all... even if you want to discuss it! Well Mr. Bevere, how do think a class is suppose to discuss something without viewing it? Oh, that's right... plug in... each person has to PURCHASE the B"OOK. Marketed Christianity for certain. Just read the New Testament... and it will teach you something about OFFENSES.
 Everyone's been offended... but what should we do? May 16, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Every single person has been offended one time or other. How do I know? The Bible says it is so! No one who lives in a time like this is free from offense, but the offense does not need to color the way we see things, how we view life, and how we perceive the people who have offended us. The offense can grow to become bitterness and take root in our lives. This book helps us identify that we have been offended, and the great need to forgive and release the offense.
"Offended people produce much fruit, such as hurt, anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are insults, attacks, wounding, division, separation, broken relationships, betrayal, and backsliding." (pg. xiv)
Why is the book entitled "The Bait of Satan"? Well, Bevere explains that the Greek word for "offend" in Luke 17:1 comes from the word skandalon, which originally referred to the part of the trap which the bait was attached. Hence, the word signifies laying a trap in someone's way. In the New Testament it often describes an entrapment used by the enemy.
The following are some quotes from the book:
- Our response to an offense determines our future.
- An offended Christian is one who takes in life but because of fear, cannot release it.
- When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections, and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God.
- There is only one person who can get you out of the will of God, and that is you!
- It is righteous for God to avenge His servants. It is unrighteous for God's servants to avenge themselves.
- Acquiring an offense keeps you from seeing your character flaws because blame is deferred to another.
- When we ratain an offense in our hearts, we filter everything through it.
- Jesus offended some people by obeying His Father, but He never caused an offense in order to assert His own rights.
- A slave is one who has to serve while a servant is one who lives to serve.
- A person who cannot forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them.
Definite Must Read May 11, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
John Bevere's book "The Bait Of satan" is phenomenal to say the least! He covers all the angles of forgiveness, unforgiveness, grudges and offesnses, and backs everything up with good solid scripture. I dealt with holding grudges and unforgiveness for many years, and after reading this book, the Lord set me free! Believe me, if you have issues with being offended, and not being able to let go, you have GOT to read this book. It will change your life!
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