Review
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Title: The Master Deceiver: Understanding Satan’s Lies and How to Resist Them
Author: David J. Stitt
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Genre: Nonfiction
Year Published: 2008
Number of Pages: 100
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-59955-080-0
Price: $10.99

Reviewed by Karen Hamilton

There are great scholars who can write and speak on the danger of listening and giving into temptation. While these scholars are valuable, at times they are hard to understand. David J. Stitt uses his insight to bring his subject to a level that is easy to understand, without being trite.

In this book, Stitt goes through seven lies. The lies are not profound or complex, but are gripping in their simplicity. One of the lies that is discussed is “You need to experience sin in order to understand the negative consequences so that you can warn others.” While this is a common perception, it is only a half-truth. I do not need to smoke or drink to know and understand the negative impact these activities would have on my life.

The “lies” segment of the book is only a small portion of the entire work. After exposing the lies, Stitt spends time offering hope and comfort to the reader. He does this with short sections of easy to remember phrases to help in personal battles with temptation and sin. This is not the same old advice that is handed out on Sunday, but rather it is full of insight and encouragement.

Each chapter has something to offer in overcoming temptation and the constant whispers of the Master Deceiver. He points out that it is part of life to be tempted. Just because one is tempted to do or say something does not make them a bad individual. Rather it makes them mortal. Stitt explains that hearing the lie is not the same as acting on the lie.

Stitt gives the reader several suggestions on how to build personal arsenals against the constant bombardment of lies and temptations. It is nothing difficult or profound, but logical and helpful. The greatest weapon one can have is truth. This is a book that is easy to understand and is filled with comfort and encouragement for the reader struggling for a moment of peace and understanding.