Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Book Review: Enemies of the Heart

I received a free copy of Andy Stanley’s new book Enemies of the Heart from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers to review.  To start I must say that Andy Stanley is one of my favorite pastors to listen to whether through podcast, small-group studies, or books. He delivers extremely practical messages without distorting the truths of Scripture. 
In Enemies of the Heart, Stanley discusses four areas (guilt, anger, greed, and jealously) that if left unexamined, can cause spiritual heart disease.  Andy says, “… just as a heart attack has the potential to destroy your body, so spiritual heart disease has the potential to destroy you and squeeze the life out of your most valuable relationships” (11).  Using this basis, he explains that as these enemies quietly invade our hearts, we begin to live them out.  If left unchecked, these four enemies could be extremely destructive forces in our lives.
Throughout the book, Andy asks the reader very though probing questions, in an attempt to identify problem areas and then offers clear solutions to dislodge and discard the root problems these enemies cause.  By using the exercises offered in this book, the reader can free him or herself from the bondage of these enemies and walk away with an healthier heart, which could lead to healthier relationships.  
This is a great book for anyone who feels they may afflicted with any or all of these destructive emotions.  The message is clear and concise, with a strong biblical foundation.  If you’d like to get your own copy, you can pick one up from Amazon.com here.