Fighting Shadows: Overcoming 7 Lies That Keep Men from Becoming Fully Alive

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars | 731 ratings

Price: 17.51

Last update: 01-27-2025


About this item

Read by the authors.

Discover the satisfaction of becoming the man God created you to be. In a world that’s grown increasingly confused about--and hostile toward--the very notion of masculinity, authors Jefferson Bethke and Jon Tyson send a powerful call to men everywhere: it's time to step into the light of Jesus' vision for you as a man.

There's a shadow that's settled over the hearts of men today. Masculinity is in crisis. Critiques about the dangers of toxic masculinity and the abuses of patriarchal systems have grown louder than ever. The very notions of masculinity and manhood are under attack. In response to cultural shifts, some have doubled down on old stereotypes in ways that just add to the conflict and confusion.

The result? Many men simply feel paralyzed--worried about saying the wrong thing, unsure what to do with their ambitions or strengths, simultaneously tempted and shamed by a hypersexualized and pornified culture. Our models and mentors have failed us. Based on their years of working in men's ministry, Bethke and Tyson have good news for men looking for clarity and courage in this age of quiet desperation.

In Fighting Shadows, they help men:

  • overcome the temptations of escapism, passivity, or overcompensation;
  • combat the most harmful shadows that men battle today, including loneliness, apathy, distraction, lust, and shame; and
  • embrace masculinity as a God-given gift, not a curse to be avoided, suppressed, or battled.

An entire generation of men is being told they should abdicate the responsibility and joy of living into God's calling on their lives—don't be one of them. If you're a man who's wondering what to do with your strength, your longings, and your gifts, it's time to step out of the shadows. Jesus has a vision for you.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Cybersquatch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masculinity At It’s Finest
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
    This was a very informative read for me in knowing that the struggles I have had as a man are not my own sometimes I think the enemy blinds us into thinking that our struggles are only happening to ourselves and while the struggles are specific to us we can know that we are not alone in the general battles that we face as men this book helps confirm that. I’ll highlight some impactful sections, although the whole of the book is inspiring.

    The section “MEN FROM THE FUTURE” in short: I have determined to be such a man! You should to!

    “THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS” is a chapter that breaks my heart for most of the men I have met including myself, to quote a line in an old Jimi Hendrix song “Loneliness is such a drag.” it’s always been about relationships and the “what else”…..by in large I believe most men today and in the past have felt isolated and lonely at one time or another, “but I’m here to say for myself at least, that it won’t be that way much longer!” Great chapter!

    “THE SHADOW OF SHAME” This chapter is a topic that is the most alarming and revealing to me in the book, I have never done any deep introspection into my feelings of shame this is a subject of deep psychological evaluation for me. The section of this chapter “GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU” has me weeping at this very moment (seriously) The God of all creation is NOT ashamed of me! He is NOT disappointed in me! He DELIGHTS in my presence!!! I admittedly forget these truths in my shame but these statements are the most profound and overwhelming truths I can think of in life it is no wonder the enemy tricks me into thinking the exact opposite on occasions! I will definitely be reading and meditating on this chapter over and over again I have yet to grasp it as intimately as I want!

    “THE SHADOW OF AMBITION” no one has ever accused me of being ambitious but this chapter has me convinced to be a man of holy ambition and to ask the right questions. “THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF DISCONTENT” section bottom of pg. 122 and through pg. 124 is currently where I am and where I’ve been for a while, I feel that ambition (holy) has already been in action for some years now and the Holy Spirit has been directing me on this trajectory of “holy ambition” (After all I read this book!) I have a lot to learn still, I’m diving deeper!

    “THE SHADOW OF APATHY” “The CALL” section of this chapter has been admittedly a subject of convolution for me most of my life but really only in the specific sense, my wife and I our in a season of change real soon like in a month or so as of this writing we are planning to move out of state for the first time in our marriage and in our lives! Culture shock is inevitable, but we are feeling “called” to go, we do have some specific things we think God is leading us to but a little foggy on the details but the CALL is our priority and I do NOT want to surrender any fierceness in this and I want to resist being lethargic in my (our) response to the Lord, this section has been extremely timely for me as we move forward in this venture I appreciate this chapter immensely!

    Overall; every man who values the relationships God has entrusted you with, and who has the desire and intensity to be more like Jesus I implore you to give this a read!

    I would love to meet Jeff someday perhaps sooner than later on a retreat or conference as schedules permit, and one day I hope to reconnect face to face with Jon again, we attended church together albeit briefly a long time ago, I saw something in him back in the day and I had a suspicion he was destined for this kind of kingdom work!

    Thanks so much Jeff and Jon and to all the men (and women) who have helped shape your lives through friendship and prayers, I am now refusing to drift the rest of my days!

    -Mike,
    …a man from the future.
  • John O’Brien
    5.0 out of 5 stars A roadmap for navigating manhood and being fully alive in our challenging times.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
    This book gives us a ROADMAP for overcoming the powerful lies that obstruct our vision from becoming the men of courage and consequence
    God calls us to be. To become fully alive as men who love and follow Jesus, we need a VISION for manhood that can make us relentless and intolerant of anything that blocks our light, like Diogenes with Alexander the Great. We need to ask and answer the question of what hinders us from becoming the men God designed and redeemed us to be. To become the man the world needs and we long to be, Jon and Jefferson outline seven destructive lies we must overcome and the corresponding VIRTUES we need to cultivate in the context of community.

    It provides the arsenal for awakening conviction. Rearmament has never been more enjoyable or edifying! Of particular note is the irenic tone, the depth of insight, and the careful nuance the authors exemplify. The order of topics is provocative and rich with suggestive implications. Other books give us the marks of manhood, the measure of a man, or the disciplines necessary to produce them. These are necessary and important. What was missing was an existential map of the subterranean forces holding us back from pressing into our callings and fulfilling our destinies. Look no further for an adequate diagnosis to the struggles afflicting us and clarity about the way forward. If you want to live fully alive from a whole heart and break free from what ails you, this is the book for you and the power is in the processing with other committed men. See you on the front lines, and a special thank you to the authors for equipping us for the battle.
  • A-A-Ron
    5.0 out of 5 stars The PERFECT Book to Help Men Reach Their Full Potential
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
    "There are not many books for men that are for this moment in time and answer the questions men are asking right now". Fighting Shadows is the most relevant and timely book on the market that speaks to the core of man.

    The opening chapter The Eclipse paints the perfect backdrop of how the enemy of our soul is out to drown out God's marvelous light in some pretty key areas in the life of men.

    Looking at the 7 Lies of Despair, Loneliness, Shame, Lust, Ambition, Futility, and Apathy, I knew there were going to be a few things I'd resonate with right out of the gate. What I did not expect as I progressed through the book, was that the Lord pointed out to me that I had some "Shadow Work" to do in each of these areas.

    I can honestly say that I feel more awake in this moment than I ever have as a man. I want to be a torch bearer and continue to pass this message on to every man in every corner of the earth!

    Or families need us to be Shadow Fighters! The Kingdom needs us to be Shadow Fighters! We all have a role to play and this book will help you level up your fight.

    This book is essential for every man! It is something to pass on to our sons, and their sons, for generations to come!

    Buy the book! Fight your shadows! And take your place on the wall to rebuild and defend (Nehemiah). Everything is at stake!
    Customer image
    A-A-Ron
    5.0 out of 5 stars The PERFECT Book to Help Men Reach Their Full Potential
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
    "There are not many books for men that are for this moment in time and answer the questions men are asking right now". Fighting Shadows is the most relevant and timely book on the market that speaks to the core of man.

    The opening chapter The Eclipse paints the perfect backdrop of how the enemy of our soul is out to drown out God's marvelous light in some pretty key areas in the life of men.

    Looking at the 7 Lies of Despair, Loneliness, Shame, Lust, Ambition, Futility, and Apathy, I knew there were going to be a few things I'd resonate with right out of the gate. What I did not expect as I progressed through the book, was that the Lord pointed out to me that I had some "Shadow Work" to do in each of these areas.

    I can honestly say that I feel more awake in this moment than I ever have as a man. I want to be a torch bearer and continue to pass this message on to every man in every corner of the earth!

    Or families need us to be Shadow Fighters! The Kingdom needs us to be Shadow Fighters! We all have a role to play and this book will help you level up your fight.

    This book is essential for every man! It is something to pass on to our sons, and their sons, for generations to come!

    Buy the book! Fight your shadows! And take your place on the wall to rebuild and defend (Nehemiah). Everything is at stake!
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  • Troy Gerstenberger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking and emotionally charged!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
    Fighting Shadows explores some of the most common lies that trip up men. More significantly, Bethke and Tyson provide simple and actionable feedback for conquering those lies and enabling men to walk out our calling: modeling Jesus and exemplifying Biblical manhood.

    When I flipped through the Table of Contents, I knew immediately that there were 2-3 shadows for me to confront; little did I expect to find parts of myself in all 7 lies.

    Written in an easy-to-read format, and chock-full of scripture and quotes, Fighting Shadows is a worthwhile read for men in any stage of life. I appreciate the writers' wit and personal stories of the battles they’ve endured.

    This book is powerful for any man ready to reject passivity, replace lies with truth, do the work, and embrace being fully devoted to his calling.

    I'm excited to share this with the men in my community. This book has instilled a renewed sense of confidence in me!

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