I Declare War: Four Keys to Winning the Battle with Yourself

​In his book, I Declare War, author Levi Lusko uses the model of the card game War to share four keys to winning the battle within yourselves and encouraging you to allow the wolf to rise up inside of you. The first card, declaring war on what you think, helps us take our thoughts captive so we can become a better version of ourselves. The second card, declaring war on what you say, encourages us to talk about the victory we should be striving for. The third card, declaring war on what you do, reminds us that we need to act in the belief that we can shape the direction of our lives by acting on what we know we should do. But the fourth card, just like in the game of War, is the most important card of all, and that is the power of the gospel at work within us. The first three cards are only effective if the fourth card is in place. And once it is, you can finally unleash the wolf, the strength and courage you never knew you had, inside of you. All of this is explained with stories and insights from the author’s own life. Both practical and relevant, this book is written in an easy-to-understand tone that the audience can easily identify with, even teenagers. This book is a great resource that I would recommend to practically anyone.

Holy Moly this book. This book is rocking my world. This book has been challenging me with some of the things Levi has been saying that hasn’t ever challenged me before. I am about half way finished with it but it’s so good what I have read so far. Some things Levi has mentioned in the book has really stood out to me like “You are not your career; you are not your collection of shoes or followers; you are not your car, your job or the table you sit at in the school cafeteria. Instead put your value in being Gods daughter or son, in being loved by him”(page 62). “You are what He thinks, not what you think” (page 60). This part in the book about insecurity really got me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to win a battle against themselves. This is one of the best books I have read in awhile.

Levi Lusko's raw honesty always shines through in his books and this one is no exception. Our emotions can truly turn our thoughts and actions into a battlefield and the mind can overcome the goals you hope to achieve. Lusko relates many anecdotes and memories from this childhood and youth and how they continue to impact him today. Adult issues are often rooted in childhood events as he clearly demonstrates throughout the book.

Sometimes, especially in a season of depression and feeling unworthy, it helps to know that you are not alone. Even though you may not know the other person, it is a relief to know that others struggle --- and overcome the war within. I recommend this book for others who can both commiserate but face their own challenges with a renewed sense of courage to overcome their own battles. Use the tools that Lusko speaks of... Thoughts, Words, Behaviors, and Powers to overcome the thoughts that try to defeat you. Most of all, he points you to our ultimate Hope.

I received a copy of this Thomas Nelson published book from BookLookBloggers at no cost to myself for review purposes. I was neither influenced or required to write a positive review.

Christian Bible Study: My fave!!!! I highly recommend this book and the study guide that goes with it- excellent Bible Study on your own or with a group. We did it with the videos in our Sunday School class. Super amazing, life changing ways to stop being our worst enemy.

Eye opening way to get closer to God, no matter where you are at with your walk this will have something for everyone!! The tools and resources contained in this book are so wonderful. If you can splurge for the video, get it too because Pastor Levi Lusko has an easy way of talking about the topic. His stories are great and the setting is in New Mexico I believe.

A wonderful experience that happened to me is that our Sunday School class is multi-generational and it was great to hear from across the room, across our social circles that we are all fighting the same battles..sometimes differently, and it unites us as women! This Bible Study is not just intended for women.

Levi Lusko is the lead pastor of Fresh Life Church and a bestselling author. In his book, I Declare War: 4 Keys to Wining the Battle with Yourself, Lusko begins by discussing his own personal struggles with anxiety. He then presents simple, straight-forward, practical applications of biblical advice.
The book is divided into four parts, each described as a “card”. The first part, Card 1: Declare War on What You Think, discusses how our thoughts affect our emotions, feelings - our moods. The second part, Card 2: Declare War on What You Say, deals with being careful with our words. The third part, Card 3: Declare War on What You Do, deals with our actions, habits - our choices. The fourth and final part, Card 4: Phantom Power (The Help You Need To Win This War), is really the main ingredient in this battle. Phantom Power refers to God’s power. Lusko states the truth that it is only by relying on God’s power, grace, and His Holy Spirit in our lives that we can effectively utilize the advice in this book, and win this war.
Lusko boldly declares God’s truth and even challenges the reader to be sure they have trusted their soul to God. To quote the author: "Out of all the nouns, verbs, adjectives, and articles that could ever come from your mouth, the most important, by far, are words you choose to speak trusting your soul to God's hands. I recommend you don't wait until your deathbed to say them. Why not right now?” (Levi Lusko, I Declare War, page 81). Lusko backs up these words with scripture, referencing Romans 10:13. Throughout the book Lusko looks to God’s Word as a guide to the battle strategy he gives. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This is a review of the book I Declare War by Levi Lusko.

Alright, so what's I Declare War about? Put simply, this book is a four-part battle plan against idolatry in its many forms. This is a topic many pastors and authors have addressed, but it seems like each one who does has something new or a new way to say the same thing so that it does not seem trite and a retreading of the same ground. I Declare War is no exception on this. While the topic of dealing with idolatry is as old as idolatry itself, Lusko's book is a practical one which the reader will find worth picking up.

The premise of the book is simple: through addressing our thoughts, words, actions, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit for help, anyone is able to overcome all the stuff that is holding him or her back, idolatry. But what makes this book poignant and worth the read is everything Lusko brings to the page to accomplish his thesis. He provides a strong foundation of Scripture, personal anecdotes and practical application tips, as well as 21st Century pre-millenial snark to keep the book moving and put a new light on what can feel like "the same old stuff."

One neat thing about the book is a playing card motif that is present throughout the book. In the book, once in a while a picture of an ace of spades (the ace of spades is explained at the end) appears on a full page by itself with a quote from either the previous page or one that is relevant to the chapter's subject. Those alone are a valuable piece on their own. I found Lusko's "Analyze, Extrapolate, Prioritize, and Navigate" matrix to be perhaps the most helpful thing.

In the end, read I Declare War or don't. If you do, there is guaranteed to be content of worth for you found in its pages.

I received my copy of this book for free through the BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for reviewing it. I was not obligated to write a positive review; the opinions expressed are mine.

In my humble opinion this is the best book that Levi Lusko has written. It’s easy reading, enjoyable, thought provoking and so helpful in becoming self aware of areas in your life that need growth and adjustment. I love Levi’s style of writing and his transparency. I happen to go to the church he pastors and I look forward to the truth and insights he gleans from the Bible, to apply to our everyday life.

This book has been a multiple time through book. Levi writes in such away that he teaching you from what he's learned vs teaching at you. I have it paperback and audible. Love this book and the author.

Great read!

Absolutely love this book. It has seriously changed the way I look at life. It’s also saved my marriage. I’m extremely thankful I found this book. Looking forward to reading more from this Author.