The twelfth in a series of 16 blogs answering anticipated (or actual) objections to material set forth in A Way of Escape, i.e., the twelfth in a series of 16 blogs answering anticipated FAQs.

OBJECTION #12 (of 16)

All those that relapse have one thing in common: No accountability. Accountability is a must. Professionally speaking, I cannot endorse a purity program that omits accountability. I cannot endorse your “do-it-alone” purity program.

RESPONSE

All those that relapse have a second thing in common: They haven’t starved the flesh for long enough periods of time to reprogram the brain. They are not relapsing for lack of accountability. They are relapsing because their brain has not been reprogrammed. Brain reprogramming is the key to escape. Not accountability! And there is another way to reprogram the brain.

[NOTE: In all likelihood, the individual raising this objection sincerely believes that accountability is the addict’s only way of escape from addictive lusts of the flesh. If that were true, then this is a valid objection. But accountability is not the addict’s only recourse. There is another way of escape. A wholly Spirit-powered way (Galatians 5:16).]

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

ANOTHER WAY TO REPROGRAM THE BRAIN

Yes, another way to reprogram the brain. There are two.

Of course, in accountability-based purity programs it is the accountability group that functions to starve the flesh. Which ultimately leads to a reprogramming of the brain.

But brain reprogramming (mind renewal) is not flesh-starving accountability’s exclusive domain (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/not-the-exclusive-domain-v9). Mind renewal may also be accomplished via the transforming ministry of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). In the Way of Escape Battle Plan, this transformation is a result of the addict feeding on a steady diet of Spirit-anointed apps.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

THE HOLY SPIRIT DELIVERS AND PRESERVES

The author of this OBJECTION continues, “OK. I think that I am beginning to get this. The Holy Spirit delivers believers from lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). But how do believers preserve their purity without accountability? How do believers keep their minds renewed without accountability?”

Glad you asked! It has been 30 months since A Way of Escape was published. But I continue to regularly immerse myself in my Spirit-anointed apps. Not because I necessarily have to. But because I want to. It is so enjoyable to pop a DVD into the DVD player and begin swimming in the Spirit. On the day that I wrote this blog, it was three (3) views of The Gaither Vocal Band’s sweet rendition of I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary [1]. Followed by three (3) views of Candy Hemphill Christmas and David Phelps belting out a favorite rendition of Jesus Saves [2]. And all the while that I am reveling in the Spirit, my brain is getting a 25-minute tune-up.

A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED

In A Way of Escape, readers learn how to renew their minds—not by starving the flesh—but by stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). They also learn how to keep their minds renewed with 25-minute tune-ups. 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).

The still-struggling now have another option. The still-struggling 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!

REFERENCES

1.      Gaither, G., W.J. Gaither, and D. Oldham (Gaither Music Company / ASCAP), I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary, Track #24 on All Day Singin’ at the Dome (DVD), Spring House Productions, Inc., Manufactured by Gaither Music Group, Alexandria, IN, 1998

2.      Hemphill, J. (Family and Friends Music / BMI), Jesus Saves, Track #25 on Atlanta Homecoming (DVD), Spring House Productions, Inc., Manufactured by Gaither Music Group, Alexandria, IN, 1998