A difficult series of blogs to write (Blogs 55-61). Negatively critiquing the work of my dear brothers and sisters in the faith gives me no pleasure. Brothers and sisters that—with nothing but the best of intentions—are also tirelessly and sincerely striving to glorify God and edify the Church. But neither can I remain silent. I cannot sit on news that can benefit untold numbers of still-struggling fellow believers (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v9). I cannot sit on news that heaps praise on the oft-forgotten God of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. News that could potentially even help to ignite revival in the Church—a Holy Spirit Revival (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/revival-in-the-church-v8)! I take no pleasure in negative critiquing, but neither can I remain silent. I must share what I have learned firsthand of the Holy Spirit’s exceeding abundant inner-working power (Ephesians 3:20) to deliver believers from addictive lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)!
All of the higher profile Bible-based purity programs insist that accountability is the addict’s only way of escape from addictive lusts of the flesh. But Scripture clearly teaches that there is another way. A wholly Spirit-powered way (Galatians 5:16). The second in a series of five blogs (2-of-5) that attempts to explain how easily Bible-based purity programs could have missed the Bible’s wholly Spirit-Powered Escape Plan. The second in a series of five blogs examining Bible-based (but Spirit-passive!) purity programs.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
BUILDING UPON A PROVEN, ACCOUNTABILITY-BASED FOUNDATION
A good number of Bible-based purity programs have their roots in the proven accountability-based 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). By incorporating Scripture into each of the 12 Steps, it is believed that these AA-based battle plans are transformed into God-designed ways of escape from addictive sins of the flesh. It seems quite logical. Especially since there is now a long record of believers that have been set free from their addictions using these AA-based battle plans.
Persons already familiar with the 12 Steps of AA will find this approach appealing. Even some non-believers. Desperate to be free of their addiction, some non-believers will even be open to (and tolerant of) the references to Scripture during the weekly group meetings. Which leads to yet another selling point: With a properly trained Group Leader, these battle plans can even double as an evangelistic tool for reaching the lost.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
A proven, 89-year-old approach (the accountability-based 12 Steps of AA was founded in 1935). Laced with Scripture throughout. And it can also double as an evangelistic tool. So, what’s the problem?
PROBLEM #1: MOST WILL NOT SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY-BASED HELP
Most individuals wanting to escape a porn/sex addiction, will not seek accountability-based help. A survey by the respected Barna Group revealed that a whopping 83% of persons wanting to quit porn still had nobody in their life to help them quit (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v9). Even when mistakenly told that accountability is their only option, most Christian men are still choosing to hoist the white flag, acknowledge defeat, and resign themselves to a hypocritical inconsistent walk. For these men, the Shame Factor is simply too high. Too high for them to publicly acknowledge that they have a sin problem and seek help.
PROBLEM #2: SECULAR BEGINNINGS PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE A SPIRIT-PASSIVE END
But the biggest problem with battle plans rooted in the 12 Steps of AA is the slight done to the Holy Spirit. An unintentional slight, of course. But a slight, nonetheless. Builders of Bible-based purity programs have repeatedly demonstrated that the Holy Spirit will, at best, be only a passive player in battle plans that begin secular. With the Spirit effectively buried, the 17% that do seek accountability-based help will be left with an escape route that, even if successfully navigated, may be the hardest thing that they will ever do in their lives.
PROBLEM #3: THE HARDEST THING THAT AN ADDICT WILL EVER DO
Those insisting that accountability is the only way of escape openly acknowledge that accountability-based escape (= partner/group-aided starving of the flesh) may be the hardest thing that an addict will ever do in his life (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/the-hardest-thing-v9). On the other hand, escape in the Way of Escape Battle Plan is accomplished by repeatedly popping a DVD into a DVD player and drowning oneself in the Holy Spirit. Easy-Peasy! Why the dramatic drop in difficulty? Because it is always easier to “Feed the Spirit” than to “Starve the Flesh.” Much, much easier.
It is always easier to “Feed the Spirit” than to “Starve the Flesh.” Much, much easier.
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn how feeding the Spirit results in a much easier-to-successfully-navigate Escape Route. Readers learn how to escape the lusts of the flesh—not by starving the flesh—but by stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). They learn how to build a library of Spirit-anointed, flesh-diffusing apps. Apps that are uniquely fitted to them, and their unique Spirit-filling triggers (Ephesians 5:18b-19).
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
The still-struggling 83% now have another option. The still-struggling 83% now have fresh hope for discovering that long-sought-after way of escape from temptation and resulting sin (I Corinthians 10:13). A way that—because it is wholly Spirit-powered—does not require enlisting the aid of an accountability partner or group. Truly, a game-changer!
THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!
