Book Review: ENEMY ACCESS DENIED By John Bevere

The title to this book, “Enemy Access Denied”, comes with this byline: “Slam the devil’s door with one simple decision”. It was previously published as “The Devil’s Door” by Charisma House. 

True to form, this book by John Bevere is backed by an arsenal of Scripture passages and verses, giving us an informed and well-balanced presentation of the truth of God’s Word. There is a lot of ground being covered. But as I soldiered on to the end, I have been richly rewarded with a better understanding of God’s heart, especially with regards to uncompromising obedience. 

The chapters in this book are as follows:
1. The Devil’s Door
2. Sacrifices That Ensnares
3. Obedience – Not Sacrifice
4. The Mystery of Lawlessness
5. No Witchcraft, Except …
6. The Strength of Rebellion
7. The Strength of Obedience
8. Grace That Misleads
9. The Fight of Faith
10. Humility – the Road to Success
11. Arm Yourself
12. The Blessing of Obedience

Chapter 5 (“Grace That Misleads”) delivers an urgent and chilling wake-up call to modern Christians as it challenges us to grasp a balanced understanding of God’s goodness and severity. 

In it John Bevere reminds us that: “Many Christian circles have overemphasized the goodness of God to the neglect of His holiness and justice. This swing to the extreme left has caused many to lose their taste for the whole counsel of God. … The grace of God is not merely a cover-up. Yes, it covers, but it goes beyond that – it enables and empowers us to live life of obedience. … 

Just saying you have faith does not prove you actually do. How can faith be real without corresponding actions of obedience? Hear the words again” “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Perhaps the day will come when the church will proclaim this scripture as loudly as it has Ephesians 2:8-9. Then it will be zealous, not floundering in a dangerous, lukewarm condition. …

Scripture speaks of two groups of people who expect entrance into the kingdom of heaven but will be denied:
1. Those who give their lives to Jesus for selfish purposes. They are more interested in blessings than the Blesser. From the start they are deceived because the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life choke out the Word they hear and confess. (See Luke 8:15)

2. Those who convert with sincere motives but later lose their salvation. This group (which I believe is smaller than the first group) walks away from obedience to His lordship.”

This book is gripping and provides uncompromising Scriptural insights which will spur us to deepen our understanding of the whole counsel of God’s Word and to align our will more and more with His will. Blessed reading!