Every Man's Battle by Stephen F. Arterburn Summary

Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey is a Christian self-help book addressing sexual temptation and purity for men. The book provides practical strategies for overcoming lustful thoughts, pornography use, and maintaining sexual integrity through biblical principles. With over 4 million copies sold, it offers a step-by-step battle plan for achieving what the authors define as sexual purity: deriving sexual gratification exclusively from one's spouse.

Every Man's Battle was written by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey. The authors share personal testimonies of their own struggles with sexual sin and present transparent stories about their journeys toward sexual purity. Through their combined experiences and biblical insights, Arterburn and Stoeker created a practical guidebook specifically designed to help men live in a God-honoring way regarding sexuality.

Every Man's Battle is written for Christian men of any age or marital status who struggle with sexual temptation, lustful thoughts, or pornography. The book benefits both single and married men seeking to align their lives with biblical standards of sexual purity. Additionally, some readers recommend it for couples to read together, as it provides insight into male sexuality and can help wives better understand and support their husbands.

Every Man's Battle receives mixed reviews depending on reader expectations and perspectives. Supporters praise it as "eye-opening and challenging" with practical strategies for achieving sexual purity, noting its honest, direct approach to a difficult topic. However, critics argue the book is unnecessarily graphic in describing temptations, objectifies women, and portrays male sexuality in problematic ways that can trigger rather than help some readers. The book works best for those seeking a biblically-based action plan for sexual integrity.

Every Man's Battle presents four core strategies for achieving sexual purity.
"Bounce your eyes" trains men to immediately look away from lustful images.
"Starve the eyes" involves avoiding media and situations that provide sexual gratification outside marriage.
The "sword and shield" technique uses specific Bible verses as tools to combat temptation.
Finally, accountability and support emphasizes engaging with accountability partners and supportive Christian communities to maintain commitment to purity.

"Bounce your eyes" is the signature technique in Every Man's Battle that teaches men to immediately redirect their gaze away from any sexually tempting images or situations. Rather than allowing the eyes to linger on attractive women or sensual imagery, Arterburn and Stoeker instruct men to train their eyes like reflexes to "bounce" to something else the moment temptation appears. This strategy aims to prevent lustful thoughts from taking root by controlling visual input before it reaches the brain's pleasure centers.

According to Every Man's Battle, sexual purity means deriving sexual gratification exclusively from one's wife and avoiding all external sources. Arterburn and Stoeker define it as controlling your eyes by bouncing them away from lustful images and taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. The authors emphasize this involves living according to God's standards and avoiding even a hint of sexual immorality. They present sexual purity as an ongoing process requiring continual vigilance and commitment rather than a one-time achievement.

Every Man's Battle faces significant criticism for objectifying women and portraying them as "temptation grenades" and dangerous objects of lust. Critics argue the book frames male sexuality as inherently predatory and normalizes problematic behavior by suggesting "maleness" is the root of sexual sin. Many reviewers found the personal testimonies unnecessarily graphic and triggering, with some readers experiencing increased temptation rather than help. Additionally, the book is criticized for encouraging men to use their wives as "sin management tools" rather than addressing deeper heart issues.

Every Man's Battle addresses pornography addiction through practical strategies like controlling visual input and establishing accountability systems. The book teaches men to "starve the eyes" by avoiding media and situations that feed pornographic desires, while using Bible verses as weapons against temptation. Testimonials in the book describe men who overcame internet pornography by implementing these techniques consistently. However, critics note the book was written before today's digital age and may not adequately address the exponential increase in electronic temptations.

The "sword and shield" technique in Every Man's Battle refers to using specific Bible verses as offensive and defensive weapons against sexual temptation. Like a sword, Scripture passages are employed to actively attack lustful thoughts when they arise. As a shield, these verses protect the mind by reinforcing commitment to purity and deflecting temptation before it penetrates. This strategy emphasizes memorizing and immediately applying relevant biblical principles during moments of weakness to maintain sexual integrity.

Yes, Every Man's Battle strongly emphasizes accountability as crucial for winning the battle against sexual sin. Arterburn and Stoeker recommend establishing accountability partners—trusted Christian men who regularly check in about struggles and victories with sexual purity. The book stresses that being part of a supportive community provides essential encouragement and motivation to stay committed. This accountability component helps men avoid isolation, which the authors identify as a major factor enabling continued sexual sin and preventing lasting change.

The key takeaways from Every Man's Battle center on four main principles.
First, sexual purity is achievable through commitment and the right biblical strategies, not an impossible standard.
Second, accountability partners and supportive Christian communities are essential for success.
Third, controlling what you look at (eyes) and think about (mind) forms the foundation of maintaining purity.
Fourth, aligning your life with God's standards leads to spiritual growth and stronger marital relationships, making the battle worth fighting.