Have you ever reached for a book to read and after the effort of finding it, buying/borrowing it, and taking the time to read it, it’s not what you expected?

Some books are simply deceptive. I’ve selected some books below that can either provide our souls with a nourishing rich dinner and some that only appear as if they could, but on a closer look, are only made with the scraps of true nourishment.

Why does the distinction matter?

• Oftentimes we put our trust in an author, teacher, family, or friend, and their advice and recommendations wind up shaping the words we choose and the choices we make. If you’re reading a Christian book (especially one marketed as such), it likely discusses the faith, morality, and/or provides life advice. No one wants to be led astray!

• The bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 - Let’s renew our minds with the “right” stuff ;)

The label “Christian” means very different things to different people. We’re living in a society where people who call themselves Christians are found saying things like, “Jesus is all love and no judgment,” or “the Bible isn’t inherent truth,” or “there is more than one way to heaven.” And they use cherry-picked scripture to “prove” it!

——How do we know which books are going to suck us into current social ideologies and which ones stand on the firm truth of God’s Word?

——Which ones will be edifying for our spiritual growth?

1.) Know the author, read their blogs, watch interviews with them, read reviews. See what your trusted “famous” Christian leader says about them.

2.) Bring it to your church and/or religious friends. “Hey, someone suggested this book to me, are there any red flags before I read this?”

3.) Is the secular crowd raving over this book? A top seller in all categories? If so, why? Jesus tells us that people hate Him and us (Christians) because we follow Him. So if popular culture is doting on a Christian book/author, it deserves another look! Obviously there are outliers here, but you get the idea! :-)

3 of the books I’ve pictured here are trustworthy and scripture based. 3 are deceptively labeled and/or produced by a Christian publisher but not based in scripture. Can you guess which ones?