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How to Overcome:
being talks on Judges

by J T Mawson

£7.25 (UK); $12.00 (USA) - available from STP or online bookshops.

 

Review by David Hughes (Liverpool)

The back cover of this book states "this book is for Christians who desire to live for Christ, and know they have the power of the Holy Spirit for this very purpose, and yet somehow always find themselves defeated." Well, who does that not apply too??? The book is basically a selection of studies in Judges and Ruth. JT Mawson deals with the 5 main enemies the Israelites faced in the book of Judges, the Mesopotamians, the Moabites, the Canaanites, the Midianites and the Philistines. He says that each of these enemies is a picture of one of the battles Christians face today and, by looking at how godly Israelites overcame these enemies, suggests ways in which we today can also overcome (hence the title!!!). To be honest, I didn't see some of the pictures straight away and even after reading some where more obvious than others but the book is helpful and gives plenty to think about. It was interesting that, although the book was first published nearly 100 years ago you couldn't tell by reading it! The problems and struggles Mawson described seem to fit pretty accurately with me today! The book is certainly helpful in teaching how to draw lessons from books such as Judges!

Short description

This book is for Christians who desire to live for Christ, know they have the power of the Holy Spirit for this purpose, but always find themselves defeated. The author uses Israel's experiences recorded in the book of Judges to show how the Christian can overcome five enemies: the World, the Flesh, the Devil, Earthly Things and Carnal Religion.

Long description

Amongst Israel's enemies at the time recorded in the book of Judges were the peoples of Mesopotamia, Moab, Canaan, Midian and Philistia. Each had a bad influence on Israel in a distinct way; each seemed unbeatable; and yet each was capable of being defeated.

This book is for Christians who desire to live for Christ, and know they have the power of the Holy Spirit for this very purpose, and yet somehow always find themselves defeated.

The author identifies five enemies of the Christian: the World, the Flesh, the Devil, Earthly Things and Carnal Religion. Taking each as illustrated by a particular enemy of Israel, he examines the nature of their opposition and shows how the Christian can overcome each one.

A practical guide to "How to Overcome".

Publisher's comments

First published in 1912, revised in 1929, and reprinted in 1936 and c1965, this edition amends typographical errors in Scripture references and adds references omitted.

Other editions by J T Mawson are available from STP.

Table of Contents

Preface to 2009 Edition
Preface to First Edition by J. Wilson Smith
1: Foreword
2. How to Overcome the World
3. How to Overcome the Flesh
4. How to Overcome the Devil
5. How to overcome Earthly Things
6. How to Overcome Carnal Religion
7. Delivered and Devoted

Author biography

John Thomas Mawson (1871-1943) was an outstanding evangelist, teacher and author. He edited and contributed to "Scripture Truth" magazine from its inception in 1909 until 1943 (initially sharing the editorship with H D R Jameson, until the latter's death in 1912). The content of some of his books was originally delivered in series of talks to Christians, young and old, and his writings have a pleasant conversational style about them which makes them easy to follow. His comment on the story of Elisha as "enlightening to the mind and delightful to the heart" describes well his own written ministry.